TheOtherView
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Equality should extend to same-sex marriages

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court caused a nationwide uproar Tuesday when it ruled the state must make civil marriage licenses available to same-sex couples in 180 days. In a 4-3 vote, the court set Massachusetts up to be the first state to legally recognize same-sex marriages.

But Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and other conservative officials are trying to find ways to skirt the ruling. The Department of Public Health has ordered to maintain the status quo and delay the issuing of marriage licenses until the 180 days are up. Romney has suggested the legislature pass a bill that would recognize civil unions, which would offer the same benefits as marriage without the title.

But these people are missing the point. The “sanctity” of marriage is not in crisis, as some vocal opponents would have the public believe. It is impossible to evolve as a society without adapting customs to the new times. In 1948, a California court went against “traditional” marriage by striking down a ban on interracial marriage. At that point, 30 states had individual bans against interracial marriage, but societal progress demanded someone stand up and challenge the status quo.

It’s about time someone stood up too. California and Hawaii both offer limited benefits to same-sex partners, but it falls far short of equal benefits. In 1998, a Vermont court took a step forward by ruling same-sex civil unions were legal, but it did not go far enough. Vermont made it clear they were establishing marriage rights only, not licenses.

“While some future case may attempt to establish that ... the denial of a marriage license operates per se to deny constitutionally protected rights, that is not the claim we address today,” the Vermont ruling said.

“We hold that the plaintiffs are entitled ... to the same benefits and protections afforded by Vermont law to married opposite-sex couples.”

President Bush and the national government are now talking about amending the Constitution to ban same-sex marriages across the country. Thirty-seven states already have laws banning same-sex marriages, and if House Bill 272 passes, Ohio will be state No. 38. But these legislators need to realize there isn’t a gay agenda being pushed here. This ruling — and its ramifications — are simply about equality, and it's about time everyone was awarded the same rights.

This is a Staff Editorial from The Lantern at Ohio State University. This editorial was distributed by U-Wire.