Fallout From California Gay Marriage Decision Begins

In the wake of U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision Wednesday overturning California’s Proposition 8 and legalizing gay marriage in the state, the debate rolls on.

Conservative activists are framing legal arguments for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and ultimately the Supreme Court.

“This lawsuit, should it be upheld on appeal and in the Supreme Court, would become the 'Roe v. Wade' of same-sex 'marriage,' ” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, referring to the 1973 decision that legalized abortion, in a CNN story.

Similarly, Charles Donovan, senior research fellow at the right-wing D.C.-based Heritage Foundation added, “The court’s ruling is not surprising, but it is still shocking when a single federal judge claims so much power.  Judge Walker signaled from the beginning of this case that marriage itself was on trial and that the views of most Californians – and the wisdom of millennia – would not prevail in his courtroom.  Higher courts should do what he chose not t Respect the workings of democratic institutions on this issue.” 

However, voters on all sorts of issues and candidates have buyer’s remorse after the fact, and that is the case with Prop 8 according to the Public Religion Research Institute. A recent survey showed if Prop 8 were on the ballot again it would be defeated by a 51-45 margin. A majority of several key Christian denominations and groups within California also polled in favor of gay marriage.

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