Bottom Line on California's Proposition 8

By now you've heard that Vaughn R. Walker, a U.S. District Chief Judge, struck down California's Proposition 8 as unconstitutional. Proposition 8 banned legally recognized gay marriage in California. The debate that is already underway focuses to some degree on the fact that Walker himself is gay. I think that misses the point somewhat. Let me explain.

His argument is:

"The evidence shows conclusively that moral and religious views form the only basis for a belief that same-sex couples are different from opposite-sex couples,"

Walker's moral view (and the view of the people bringing the legal challenge) is that homosexual couples should be afforded the same access to marriage as heterosexual couples. So in essence, what he is saying is, "My moral view is more valid than your moral view."

I challenge anyone to tell me I'm wrong in saying this. Whether you view homosexuality as wrong or right, it is in its essence a moral view. So who decides which one is more valid? Apparently the judge thinks he does. The reality is that's why we vote. According to Vaughn, your vote only counts if it's in keeping with the accepted moral view.