Jun 6, 2008

Court grants gays a basic civil right

Editorial

Later this month, same-sex couples in the Bay Area and throughout the state will no longer be denied the basic right to marry thanks to an important California Supreme Court ruling that found no legal basis for such discrimination.

The high court decision does not promote gay weddings. Nor does it undermine traditional marriage. It merely declares that the state Constitution guarantees the right to marry to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation.

The offices of the county clerk in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties are already booking ceremonies for weddings for the week of June 16, when the ruling officially takes effect.

The high court decision may represent one of the most important civil rights victories since it rejected a ban on interracial marriage in 1948. This is a volatile issue, however. Opponents of same-sex marriage have already qualified an initiative for the November ballot to overturn the ruling.

The hotly contested battle over civil rights for gays and lesbians is far from over. The issue could wind up back in the courts again even after the fall vote.

For now, at least, the high court's ruling stands. The discrimination against gay and lesbian couples is illegal. It's a decision that deserves to endure the test of time.