Constitutional Law

Backlash, Or Not, Over Same-Sex Marriage

Will voters react negatively to the California Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of same-sex marriage in the state? Some commentators argue that such a backlash is unlikely. According to media reports, a backlash against gay marriage has not transpired In Massachusetts, the first state to allow same-sex marriage. McClatchy News reported that, “Polls have shown consistent support for gay couples. And with overwhelming support for gay marriage in the state legislature – the last effort to put it on the ballot failed 151-45 – the opposition has, for the most part, packed its bags and gone home.”

In a post for the Lawyers, Guns and Money Blog, Scott Lemieux noted a recent poll that showed support for an initiative to overturn the California Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage is waning. Massachusetts Republican state Rep. Paul Loscocco told McClatchy that California voters should keep their minds open with regards to gay marriage. In his state, more than 11, 000 gay couples have wed and Loscocco said, “It’s been fairly much a nonevent.” When the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that gay marriage was constitutional, Loscocco attacked the ruling. Today he supports the idea, noting that many of his constituents now support it.

The state has also recently approved a repeal of 1913 law that barred it from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. Gov. Deval Patrick signed the repeal on July 31. Lemieux participated in an ACS panel discussion on reaction to controversial court rulings on hot-button social issues like gay rights and reproductive rights. Video of that panel discussion is available here.  

Full post as published by ACS Blog on August 14, 2008 (boomark / email).