The United States Supreme Court has handed down some huge rulings. The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which follows a formula used to determine which jurisdictions are required to get federal government permission for election changes, as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is telling Congress to pass a new formula to determine which cities, counties, and states must fall under the rules of the Voting Rights Act. This basically means Alabama and the other states will be free from Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act because Congress is too dysfunctional to do anything to change the laws.
The events in Alabama back in the 1960’s is why the Voting Rights Act was passed. And now, some people are wondering if Alabama will discriminate against certain people again at the voting booth. Alabama has already said that a new voter ID law will take effect for the 2014 elections. Look, I have no problem with a voter ID law, as long as a basic ID can be issued for people for free without any hassles. I am not worried about a voter ID law around people with a different skin color. I am worried about a voter ID law around people with disabilities.
Today, the Supreme Court issued major rulings over the gay marriage debate. In Alabama, there have been stories of some gay people being verbally and physically attacked because of their views. And lawmakers will never allow gay marriage in Alabama until the federal government or Supreme Court forces it. The churches, which does not support gay marriage, have too much of a stronghold in Alabama.
The Supreme Court first issued a ruling on DOMA or the Defense of Marriage Act. The ruling bans the federal government from defining a marriage as a union between a man and a woman for the purposes of federal law. The court’s decision overturning DOMA means married couples in the 12 states that allow same-sex marries or unions are now subject to the same federal benefits and regulations bestowed upon hetrerosexual couples.
The other ruling was around Prop 8 in California. The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal of a lower court’s ruling on California’s Proposition 8 on standing. That decision means Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage in California, will remain overturned and same-sex marriage will once again be legal in California. These two rulings are earth-shattering for the gay and homosexual community. Videos like this against gay marriage are wrong!
I would consider June 26th, 2013 as an history day for America. Marriage equality between a man and a women, a man and a man, or a women and a women should be supported in all 50 states including Alabama. Alabama has had a rough history in the gay and homosexual community. People who are gay and homosexual should not be discriminated against just like some people with disabilities. The Alabama Legislature needs to get the ball rolling in allowing gay and homosexual people to have the same rights as married people. Sadly, I think it’s going to take the federal government to force it.
Related articles
- Alabama photo voter ID law to be used in 2014, state officials say (al.com)
- After Supreme Court ruling, states see green light for voter ID laws (politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com)
- And so it begins (maddowblog.msnbc.com)
- Supreme Court rules DOMA unconsitutional (minbcnews.com)
- Supreme Court: Anti-gay marriage law unconstitutional (thesunnews.typepad.com)