Will Obama legalize gay marriage in 2nd term?

[Deleted]

May 11, 2012 14:58:07 GMT -5 h said:

May 11, 2012 14:53:34 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Congress can't pass a law telling any state that it has to allow gay marriages although I suppose it could financially blackmail the states a la the 55mph speed limit in the 70s and the drinking age of 21.

I was just sitting here thinking the same thing--that they could always threaten them with taking away federal highway funds, etc.

yup, that was my thought too. There are ways Congress could go about this, if it was so inclined.

Again, I think this discussion is moot because its not going to come from Congress.

[harrylauder]

i don't think it will happen but i would be really glad to see him try (and i'd support him and the initiative 100%).

[Deleted]

God I hope so.

[SJ]

May 11, 2012 13:47:01 GMT -5 @laigut said:

I do think though that in 20 years we will look back on the gay rights issue the way we now look at the civil rights movement...wondering how we ever were so closed minded.

I agree. DH and I often talk about how we think (hope?) our kids will ask us "were you really alive when gay people couldn't get married?" just like we ask our parents "were you really alive when black and white people could not marry each other?"

[compassrose]

May 11, 2012 14:51:05 GMT -5 h said:

I think the title of the thread is just poor phrasing. In her post, the OP refers to the President "trying to get a federal law passed." Surely everyone knows that the President cannot pass laws himself, right?

Thank you! "Will President Obama pressure his party to introduce legislation to repeal DOMA?" didn't fit in the subject line. I tried.

Thanks for the clarification, though, ladies. Since Congress passed DOMA, it never occurred to me that they could not constitutionally define marriage any way they choose.

I do also agree that it will come through the courts eventually. It hadn't occurred to me previously that gay marriage via actual, introduced legislation might be a viable option.

[sillygoosegirl]

I imagine the courts will strike down DOMA before Congress could get it's act together on it, even if the Dems manage majorities in both chambers any time soon. Personally, I'd prefer to see DOMA struck down anyway, just so we can be clear for the future that Congress doesn't get to override important parts of the Constitution like the full faith and credit clause.

[imojoebunny]

I think that the supreme court will ultimately legalize gay marriage. It is a legal issue, not one for popular vote. There is no reason why my friend's committed families cannot have the same rights my DH have other than they both happen to have the same anatomy. They function the same, raise families the same, live the same. It is pure ignorance that allows this to continue to be an issue. Ultimately, gay marriage is good for society, good for families. Isn't that what we all want?

[LLYS]

Obama will not be re elected.
Even if he was, there is not sufficient support for legalizing same sex marriage as eveidenced by the 60% vote supporting the status quo. Over 30 states now have constitutional ammendments banning gay marriage - that is over 1/2 the states.
HE does want it on the Dems platform for 2012 election.

[tardyfortheparty]

May 12, 2012 6:35:51 GMT -5 @LLYS said:

Obama will not be re elected.
Even if he was, there is not sufficient support for legalizing same sex marriage as eveidenced by the 60% vote supporting the status quo. Over 30 states now have constitutional ammendments banning gay marriage - that is over 1/2 the states. HE does want it on the Dems platform for 2012 election.

Except that about 50% of people do support same sex marriage and a recent poll showed that only 40% of people OPPOSE same sex marriage. However, in many states, the opponents are just more politically active than the proponents. And those most personally impacted by this are a minority.
Hence why civil rights should never be left to popular vote.

[heightsyankee]

May 11, 2012 13:32:45 GMT -5 compassrose said:

they can't inherit the employer's contribution of each other's pension. Also, my non-bio mom is a teacher and will be fired if she ever comes out. (Thank you, state of Ohio).

This sends me in to a fucking rage!

(Apologies if strong language is frowned upon in MM. I usually read P&CE )

[nonsenseabound]

May 11, 2012 13:47:01 GMT -5 @laigut said:

I do think though that in 20 years we will look back on the gay rights issue the way we now look at the civil rights movement...wondering how we ever were so closed minded.

Yes, is my short answer. I believe that our grandchildren will look at us and say, what was the big deal? Same way we would get up on our high horses if someone said people of different races shouldn't get married.

Edited for stupid autocorrect