Court Favors Mob Rule By Allowing Majority to Dictate Basic Rights
NEW YORK — Truth Wins Out expressed deep dismay over the California Supreme Court’ split 6-1 ruling today that upheld Proposition 8, a ballot measure which abolished the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. The court did, however, allow the 18,000 marriages that took place in California, while marriage equality existed, to stand.
“This was a shameful day that will live in infamy,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “It was a heartbreaking loss that established the tyranny of the majority as the law of the land in California.”
Today’ ruling defies a string of marriage equality victories and a trend of societal acceptance. In the past few months, Vermont, Maine and Iowa granted same-sex couples equal marriage rights. New Hampshire’ legislature also passed a bill supporting marriage equality. According to the Human Rights Campaign, twelve states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition for same-sex couples.
“Our movement is resilient and stands ready to fight on until full equality is achieved,” said Besen. “This ruling is merely a speed bump that will not deter us from ultimate victory. We must turn disappointment into determination and pain into progress.”
