Redefining marriage
Reposted 29th, June, 2013 Redefining marriage June 29, 2013 · The US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down key provisions of the Defence of Marriage Act has been hailed as a landmark moment for gay rights in America. A more realistic assessment would note that same-sex marriage is still banned or unavailable in 37 American states and considerable legal hurdles remain if the definition of marriage is to be taken out from the control of individual states as Roe v Wade did with abortion rights. The implacable defence of “traditional marriage” by Christian groups within the United States has made the ruling an important skirmish within America’s ever-strident culture wars, but it is far from an outright victory. During the last twelve months six American states have legalized same-sex marriage, bringing the total to 12 prior to the present squabble, initially over California’s Proposition 8. That particular battle has now been resolved with the court’s decision