Current Event #1
Topic: Civil Rights
Title: “Despite Setback, Gay Rights Move Forward”
Author: John Schwartz
Source: New York Times
Date Published: 21 September 2010
Word Count: 1055
Main Idea:
The federal Defense of Marriage act and California's Prop 8 have been recently declared unconstitutional by federal judges. The next question for Gay Rights activists is whether a majority of the Supreme Court justices will agree with the lower federal courts' decisions. An earlier case, Lawrence v. Texas, provided an ambiguous result to issue of weather the government should recognize gay marriages. Justice Kennedy stated in the majority opinion that "autonomy of self" prevents the government from discriminating against a person based on sexual orientation. Though he did not specifically state an opinion on weather gay marriage should be recognized by the government, dissenters pointed out that this was the implication. This case is expected to come up in future arguments, which provides a needed tool for gay rights activists, as there is very little in the Constitution to specifically support their argument.
Conclusion:
Activists have taken important steps in the fight for gay rights, yet much is still left undecided. A lot rests on the court's interpretation of the opinion stated in Lawrence v. Texas. When the court clarifies the opinion it will shape the new decision. Many regulations have been passed or revised in order to gain rights for gay couples but many more remain.
Source: New York Times
Date Published: 21 September 2010
Word Count: 1055
Main Idea:
The federal Defense of Marriage act and California's Prop 8 have been recently declared unconstitutional by federal judges. The next question for Gay Rights activists is whether a majority of the Supreme Court justices will agree with the lower federal courts' decisions. An earlier case, Lawrence v. Texas, provided an ambiguous result to issue of weather the government should recognize gay marriages. Justice Kennedy stated in the majority opinion that "autonomy of self" prevents the government from discriminating against a person based on sexual orientation. Though he did not specifically state an opinion on weather gay marriage should be recognized by the government, dissenters pointed out that this was the implication. This case is expected to come up in future arguments, which provides a needed tool for gay rights activists, as there is very little in the Constitution to specifically support their argument.
Conclusion:
Activists have taken important steps in the fight for gay rights, yet much is still left undecided. A lot rests on the court's interpretation of the opinion stated in Lawrence v. Texas. When the court clarifies the opinion it will shape the new decision. Many regulations have been passed or revised in order to gain rights for gay couples but many more remain.
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