Federal workers win benefits for same-sex spouses in 9th Circuit Court ruling.
Federal workers win benefits for same-sex spouses in 9th Circuit Court ruling.
The ABA Journal reports, “Two federal judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have required payment of health insurance benefits to same-sex spouses of lawyers employed by the U.S. government.” Judge Stephen Reinhardt declared that the federal Defense of Marriage Act — which denies federal recognize of same-sex marriages — is unconstitutional. From Reinhardt’s Feb. 2 order:
The denial of federal benefits to same-sex spouses cannot be justified simply by a distaste for or disapproval of same-sex marriage or a desire to deprive same-sex spouses benefits available to other spouses in order to discourage exercising a legal right afforded them by the state.
A lawyer for the federal staff attorney “said this is believed to be the first time federal employees will get benefits covering a same-sex spouse.”
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Holy shit!
But, before anybody celebrates, remember that this could go all the way to the Supreme Court, where a horrendous opinion could very well result.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:54 amAnybody wants to exploit the ruling better hurry, cuz the Opus Dei SCROTUS will overturn the Circuit decision…
February 5th, 2009 at 9:54 amCue in ruptured rectum in 4…..3…..2…..1….
February 5th, 2009 at 9:57 amUnfortunately with current SCOTUS this is all just a tease.
However it is another crack in the dyke (sorry!).
Seriously, every little helps.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:08 amSweet.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:09 amA thread made exclusively for Parodyll the Failure and bltbit the idjit, to misquote the Bible, and to tell us how this threatens the sanctity of heterosexual marriages.
PFFFFFT!
Even for the two couples involved, this may turn out to be academic: They were married in California last year, and it’s quite possible that the California Supreme Court will erase the 18,000 or so marriages celebrated before Prop. 8 was passed.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:15 amBlessed be. A small step in the right direction.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:17 amDRxJ Says:
… and to tell us how this threatens the sanctity of heterosexual marriages.
PFFFFFT!
________________
Which in turn threatens the very stability of the nation, which in turn will undermine the… you get the picture. To fundies, Hell must resemble a crowded, happenin’ gay disco on Saturday night.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:17 amHallelujah. This will be a real test for Obama. Will he cave in to logic and common decency and throw his support behind the modern civil rights movement. Or, will he draw a battle line and defend the indefensible? I know what Bush would have done and I desperately hope that in this, as in so many things, we have finally come to see the change we need. If Obama’s justice department does not appeal then this will not go to the Supreme Court.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:19 amS1 Says:
… and it’s quite possible that the California Supreme Court will erase the 18,000 or so marriages celebrated before Prop. 8 was passed.
____________
‘Course, it’s possible the CA Supreme Court won’t erase those marriages too.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:20 amThis is fantastic news!
But it’s a decision by the “super liberal” 9th Circuit Court.
Let the trolling Slobbering, Pissing & Head Spinning begin…
February 5th, 2009 at 10:30 am‘Course, it’s possible the CA Supreme Court won’t erase those marriages too.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:20 am
More likely that the SCROTUS will reverse the Appeal decision than that the CalSups will undo those marriages…
The CasSups gotta face re-election…SCROTUS is answerable only to the Pope…
February 5th, 2009 at 11:07 amI’m surprised, even impressed. This thread posted over an hour and a half ago, and STILL no Daryll.
He MUST be sick.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:30 amCongrats Americans! You may finally be on your way to the 21st Century! Canada, Europe and even Mexico have put same-sex rights into their Constitutions and still no smiting from God.
I hope everyone Reports Abuse by “Uncle Ho”. Really, your homophobic remarks are not appreciated nor add to the discourse here. If you are that scared of homosexuality then you should be calling Rush Limbaugh or doing crack with Ted Haggard. Hey, methinks Uncle Ho doth protest too much!
February 5th, 2009 at 11:33 amJoeplumber at 14, you must be new here. Uncle Ho was using a nickname we have for “Rapture Ready” not making any kind of antigay remark.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:56 amI think you may have just exposed yourself as a concern troll? Am I wrong?
Joe-the-nonplumber; I am NOT homophobic, nor am I gay. It’s not a lifestyle that I would participate in, but I don’t condemn those who do.
my motto is: Live and let live.
You misread my posts, I’m not bashing gays, I AM troll-baiting.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:13 pmHi Uncle Ho! I got your back.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pmWhen will folks stop referring to being gay as a “lifestyle”? Is being heterosexual a “lifestyle”? Do you chose at puberty who you will be attracted to, no. You are what you are.
What’s a lifestyle anyway?
February 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pmSKdeA; Thanks
Rowdy; Don’t be such a God damn nitpicker!
February 5th, 2009 at 12:58 pmI miss bit
February 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pmdbadass says: I miss bit
I don’t
February 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pmIndeed but let’s just what and see shall we? Remember I am a fisherman…
February 5th, 2009 at 2:18 pmIt’s about time.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:36 pmRowdy Says:
When will folks stop referring to being gay as a “lifestyle”? Is being heterosexual a “lifestyle”? Do you chose at puberty who you will be attracted to, no. You are what you are.
Amen to that. Anyone who thinks a person “chooses” to be gay, should be asked, “at what age did you choose to be heterosexual, rather than homosexual?” If gays choose, so do non-gays. The idea is preposterous– we are who we are, although many have to hide it, because of the hatred & discrimination forced by self-righteous (usually religious) “straight” people.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:43 pmshit! There ain’t no little bitty fish in this here pond…
February 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pm