Today is a true historic day! A moment when you can feel the chains of bondage breaking. The Supreme Court has ruled that Doma, the Defense of Marriage Act is dead. The Gay and Lesbian married couples cannot be denied federal rights and benefits. And Proposition 8, the hateful ballot proposition in California that went into affect in November 2008 taking away the right to marry is also history. The court ruled that the people who sponsored Prop 8 who took the case to court when the State of California Governor and Attorney General refused to sponsor the court case, had no standing to do so. Thus Prop 8 which was declared void and unconstitutional by a lower court ruling is just that unconstitutional.
While the Supreme Court avoided ruling on a sweeping marriage equality platform across the United States, the ruling means that now in 13 states (including CA) and the District of Columbia where marriage is legal, the Feds must recognize that marriage in the over 1138 rights and benefits and privileges at the Federal level.
The marriage equality fight isn’t over in the United States. There are many places where gay men and lesbians cannot legally wed. And there are 33 states in the US where you can still be fired for being gay! That is why it is time for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to pass the House and Senate. The marriage equality and adoption rights must still be fought state by state.
We aren’t full citizens yet. But today for sure… a little more.
I am grateful to God for this day. A day of blessing for sure. A day where we feel God’s justice showering down upon us and encouraging each of to continue the work of Tikkun Olam-repairing a broken world.
All of us at Camp Newman are cheering for you and all who have found their rights today!
Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein University Synagogue 310.472.1255 Rabbifeinstein@unisyn.org
Thank you Morley–Say Hi to my son Ben he is a sports Specialist there at Newman. Kipnes knows who he is!!
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