Nothing like bad news to get me motivated to start writing again. Within hours of each other, two state high courts ruled against their LGBT citizens. First, New York's high court ruled that its state constitution permits the prohibition of same-sex marriages. In the second, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the voter-approved anti-gay amendment did not illegally include two separate issues. Translated, that means that wills and trusts are now fair game for challenges even where same-sex couples have taken legal steps to leave property to each other. Why? Because the amendment doesn't just prohibit gay marriage. It also states, "no union between persons of the same sex shall be recognized by this state as entitled to the benefits of marriage."
In my home state of Georgia, we can now expect some hateful family member to challenge a will or custody agreement, arguing that such a document confers "benefits of marriage" and therefore cannot be upheld by any state court. The argument will be raised, and soon. And probably by the same bastards who just got done claiming that the amendment passed the single-issue test.
If there's any good news here -- and there ain't much -- it's that at least Republicans are now derailed from raising same-sex marriage as a campaign issue this November.
Sigh. Big, big sigh.
It's a shame that the first post I've seen in some time contains such bad news.
ReplyDeleteI knew about NY but hadn't heard about GA (although it doesn't surprise me).
I'll go rant someplace else but you must know how furious I am with these bigots.
I hope all is well with you and yours otherwise; it's been a while.
Best,
Ann
Wow, Granny -- talk about a loyal reader -- thank you!!!!
ReplyDelete