 |
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Marriage Law: Are you sure?
Perhaps the last thing the justices of the Washington Supreme Court would like to do is revisit their divisive 5-4 ruling on the state's Defense of Marriage Act. But they should anyway.
It was certainly one of the court's more controversial cases, and one that could have profound implications for individual rights in Washington.
Advocates for the court's reconsideration of the case argue that the majority ruling was flawed. We're not equipped to make that legal judgment. But we will suggest that it is in the best interests of the state for the justices to ensure that this landmark decision, which overruled two Superior Court findings, has been thoroughly and conclusively examined.
For example, Washington's citizens might benefit from more clarity on how allowing same-gender marriages would undermine the state's interest in promoting procreation through marriage between mixed-gender couples.
The prospects of the high court reconsidering the case, let alone reversing its decision that the definition of marriage lies within the Legislature's purview, are slim at best. At least, we hope the court won't take another year and a half to make up its mind.
In any event, the onus remains with the Legislature, as it likely would have been even if the Supreme Court rejected DOMA. We encourage legislative leaders to propose some form of civil union that can honor both the institution of marriage and the civil rights of committed, loving same-gender partners.
Tell us what's on your mind.
 | |
| Should the Washington Supreme Court reconsider its 5-4 ruling upholding the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans gay marriage? | |
 54.6%Yes. |
27.8% No -- The ruling was and is right. |
| 17.6% No -- The Legislature should fix the law to allow civil unions. |
|
| Total Votes: 482 | |
My web site
My Yahoo!
Google
· Luring teens away from prostitution
· Chattering class considers Powell's endorsement
· Editorial Commentary: America's crumbling infrastructure requires a bold look ahead
· Come to D.C. and wreck your car
· Obama starts moving to the middle
· How military honors the fallen
· A question of McCain's experience
more· July 4 weekend: Vets, Teenage prostitution and Viaduct; Growing reader tread on Sonics
· **Afternoon Snark; Sonics decision; Foster care and Iraqi vets; Reader comments on economy, big oil
· Trillion dollar election; Seattle's condos and megahomes and Veggies. Plus reader comments: Iraq war, Steinbrueck Park
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 1.7 million unique visitors
and 30 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
