Barbara Boxer,
the U.S. senator from California, understands why her gay
constituents are furious over Rick Warren's role in the
inauguration -- it feels like Proposition 8 redux.
In recent days, I
have been overwhelmed by the number of Californians who
are excited and hopeful about the change that is coming to
Washington and our nation. I have also heard from many
of my constituents who are upset about the inclusion
of pastor Rick Warren in the presidential inaugural
ceremonies.
As someone who
saw, firsthand, the way the passage of Proposition 8 in
California personally affected those who have struggled so
long and so hard for equal rights, this controversy is
understandable.
Proposition 8
overturned a California supreme court decision -- eloquent
in its simplicity -- that made clear that California's
constitution protects a fundamental right to marry
that extends to same-sex couples. Chief Justice Ronald
George, a Republican, made a strong legal case as to
why setting up a different set of marriage rules is akin to
setting up a different set of rules for people based
on race or gender.
My views on
marriage equality have evolved over time. At one point, I
did think it was possible to substitute civil unions
for marriage as long as couples had the same rights
and responsibilities as everyone else under the law.
But, as the California supreme court found, in order for
full equality to exist for all of our people, you
cannot have different standards when it comes to
making the lifelong commitment to honor and love.
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