More momentum

Same-sex marriage becoming the law of the land took another leap forward Monday.

As the Supreme Court refused to hear any cases on same-sex marriage from the lower courts, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and the state's Department of Justice decided to stop their legal battles.

Both affirmed the lower federal appeals court ruling is now the law of the land, striking down Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage.

Advocates for gay marriage in other states are rejoicing at the justices' decision, which could lead to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 30 states.

Federal appeals courts already had struck down bans against gay marriage in five states — Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin — and those rulings will be allowed to stand. Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming are in the same judicial circuits, so they must abide by those appeals court rulings, too.

Nineteen other states and the District of Columbia already permit same-sex marriage.

I've been saying for some time now that gay marriage will eventually be legalized nationwide for the simple reason that it's being peddled as a civil rights issue. As such, the approach to overturning statewide gay marriage bans is to argue that homosexual couples are not receiving equal protection under the law. I often hear analogies being made that gays are enduring segregation similar to what black people endured in the '60s (Apparently many folks need a history lesson). I always found that to be an absurd argument given that one being deemed a homosexual is based strictly on behavior while one's race is attributable to the empirical evidence of skin color.

Another dead horse I've beaten is how a lot of this could have been avoided with legalization of Civil Unions. That would allow any couple (same-sex or not) to derive the same financial benefits as a married couple. Unfortunately many social conservatives would not even cede that issue, instead being indignant over how such an arrangement would seek undermine traditional marriage, even making a mockery of it. I can't help but think the vehement opposition to gay marriage just a decade ago began a movement that looked to to change public opinion. If so, then mission accomplished.

Not only have we reached a point of no return in regards to gay marriage but religious objections to such a practice are now under attack. I have a feeling that will be the next substantial issue to come before the U.S. Supreme Court. With that in mind, it would behoove social conservatives to find their way to the polls this November to ensure the GOP takes over the Senate. Need we remind said social cons which body confirms justices?

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