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In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that states can not prevent same-sex couples from marrying and must recognize their marriages from other states. In the majority opinion by Justice Kennedy it is stated:
The Court, in this decision, holds same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry in all States. It follows that the Court also must hold—and it now does hold—that there is no lawful basis for a State to refuse to recognize a lawful same-sex marriage performed in another State on the ground of its same-sex character.
...and:
It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right. The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed. It is so ordered.
Original Submission
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 26 2015, @07:34PM
Protecting the rights of the minority from the tyranny of the majority is democracy in action.
(Score: 2, Informative) by tftp on Friday June 26 2015, @11:57PM
Protecting the rights of the minority from the tyranny of the majority is democracy in action.
But shouldn't also the rights of the majority be protected from the tyranny of the enabled minority?
Say, I'm a baker. It would be wrong for me to interfere in private activities of two gays. Any modern court would agree. However I should be allowed to not participate in any of those guys' activities. But refusing to service gay weddings is now an illegal discrimination! People asked why people object to gay marriage, and this is one example why. 98% of the population may not want gay ads, gay movies, gay songs, gay teachers - but all of that is now perfectly legal.
(Score: 1) by KBentley57 on Saturday June 27 2015, @02:55AM
I believe the answer to your dilemma may be in part answered by "The entire United States is covered by the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination by privately owned places of public accommodation on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin. Places of “public accommodation” include hotels, restaurants, theaters, banks, health clubs and stores." Source: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/the-right-to-refuse-service-can-a-business-refuse-service-to-someone-because-of-appearance [legalzoom.com] . A bakery would probably be covered under the restaurant part, but perhaps not if not serving customers directly in house. I should also not that even though sexual orientation is explicitly listed, as is race, ect.. I'm pretty sure it would be included in most states.
It's also very different to refuse service to an individual or a couple, than to refuse service to an entire class of people.
(Score: 1) by tftp on Saturday June 27 2015, @03:28AM
I would have never thought that the expression "the land of the free" translates as "the land where people are forced to do what they do not want to do." Slavery is alive and well in the USA; it only changed its colors.
Note that public disapproval was always, in all societies, a major stabilizing factor. In this society public disapproval is outlawed. What a shame.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 27 2015, @03:53AM
> Slavery is alive and well in the USA; it only changed its colors.
I'm so glad you say blatantly crazy shit like that because it confirms my suspicions about other comments you've made on issues that I didn't have enough background knowledge to be confident in my judgment. Where there is smoke there's fire...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 27 2015, @03:52AM
But shouldn't also the rights of the majority be protected from the tyranny of the enabled minority?
Everyone's rights should be protected, whether you're in the majority or the minority. But there is debate about what rights you have.
98% of the population may not want gay ads, gay movies, gay songs, gay teachers - but all of that is now perfectly legal.
When were gay ads, gay movies, gay songs, or gay teachers ever illegal?