Same Sex Marriage, Massacusetts, and Straight Supporters

"The people of the United States don’t want same-sex marriage. Whether this is true or not doesn’t matter; on civil rights issues, what the people want is irrelevant. Opponents of gay marriage attack the Massachusetts SJC decision as judicial activism, but name me one significant civil rights victory in the last century that wasn’t the result of judicial activism. We celebrate the anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, not the anniversary of Congress or the people of Kansas voting to end segregation. The Supreme Court of the United States didn’t leave the question of segregation up to the people; it decided for itself that it was unconstitutional and had to be abolished. Thirteen years later it was another Supreme Court decision, Loving vs. Virginia, which outlawed anti-miscegenation laws, finally guaranteeing the right to interracial marriage. Does this mean the courts always ought to overrule the people? Of course not. But in matters of civil rights, when the legislature or the people are clearly unwilling to take on the work of reform themselves, the court must act."

This is from essayist Steve Shives, who modestly claims not to be "especially intelligent or eloquent." Steve's a handsome, straight, baseball-loving bearded dude who is, in fact, very intelligent and eloquent, and writes about a whole slew of topics. This was from an article posted on his website just this afternoon, and already picked up by American Chronicle. You can read the rest of Steve's article (and we suggest you do), by going to Steve's website, wonderfully named, Steve Likes to Curse.

Thanks, Steve! And although you're playing for the other team, it's good to know we have you rooting for us!