Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Calif. Judge: Gay Marriage Decision My Toughest

Conservative cast vote for 'doing the right thing'

By Kate Rockwood,  Newser Staff

Posted May 18, 2008 12:05 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Long characterized as cautious, California’s Chief Justice Ronald George shocked his peers when he joined the majority to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. “I think there are times when doing the right thing means not playing it safe,” the moderate Republican said, calling the case the most difficult one of his 17 years on the court.

George likened same-sex restrictions to earlier bans on interracial marriage, recounting to the Los Angeles Times a childhood trip to the South in which he saw “No Negro” and “No colored” signs. "When is it that a court should act?" he asked. "When is it that a court is shirking its responsibility by not acting, and when is a court overreaching? That's a real conundrum."

California Supreme Court Justices from top left: Kathryn Mickle Werdegar, Carlos R. Moreno, Joyce L. Kennard, Marvin Baxter; from lower left: Ming Chin, Chief Justice Ronald M. George, Carol Corrigan.
California Supreme Court Justices from top left: Kathryn Mickle Werdegar, Carlos R. Moreno, Joyce L. Kennard, Marvin Baxter; from lower left: Ming Chin, Chief Justice Ronald M. George, Carol Corrigan.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Ronald George addresses a joint session of the California Legislature during his annual State Of the Judiciary speech at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
Ronald George addresses a joint session of the California Legislature during his annual State Of the Judiciary speech at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
In this March 4, 2008 photo, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M George listens to arguments in San Francisco.
In this March 4, 2008 photo, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M George listens to arguments in San Francisco.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
freetoexpress
Mar 6, 2010 6:14 AM CST
This is an insult, and I am furious. As a black woman, I am sick to my guts of gays claiming that they have experienced discrimination they way blacks have. I've never seen "NO GAY" signs, or separate drinking fountains for gays and non-gays. Nor have I ever seen or known of gays being shackled and dragged from their motherland. No GAY person can ever, ever compare or even began to know what I or my ancestors have experienced in this country as a black person. I can't stand that this judge voted to overturn Prop. 8. People are born whatever race they are, but people are not born gay. I feel gay's have exploited the civil rights struggle of blacks to point that many now have better health care, better jobs, and even better pay than most blacks, but at our expense. I am sick of it. To add insult to injury, by comparing the gay experience to that of blacks prior to civil rights, now Chief Justice George has minimized the brutality of slavery and racisim towards blacks to satisfy the gay's whims, and eroded the sanctity of marriage in the process. Don't put your decision to defile God's definition of marriage off on us Chief Justice. I am highly insulted, and deeply offended.

Same-sex marriage timeline
San Francisco Chronicle

California Supreme Court overturns same-sex marriage ban
Los Angeles Times

US

 
gay rights • California • gay marriage • marriage • court • marriage rights • California Supreme Court • Ronald George • interracial marriage • gays

More Newser Stories

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not

Court Blocks California's Ban on Gay Marriage

Gay Marriage Opponents Fail in California Court Bid

Key Ruling Due Today on Calif. Gay Marriage Ban

Elton John: In US, I'm '2nd-Class Citizen'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne