What will the status of marriage equality be in three years or so?

[cali]

I'm willing to make a prediction here. I believe that by the time the next primary season gears up, at least 8 states will have marriage equality= and probably more than that. Three states now have marriage equality. Add Vermont, NH, ME, NJ, CA and NY to that list, and probably others. Furthermore, I don't think there will be as much blowback or resistance as many fear.

I believe the steam is running out of the anti-marriage equality movement. It may get it back, but I think prop 8 was the apex of the movement. Perusing right wing sites, I note that it's much less of an issue than it previously was. Maybe they know they've lost this battle or maybe it's something else.

I sense a sea change coming.

[Orrex]

1. I'll tell you this much: no way am I marrying a box turtle

John Cornyn is an asshole, but he's right about that much. No box turtles for me.

[MineralMan]

3. What do you have against box turtles!?!?!

I'll have you know that my box turtle and I demand equal rights with every other human animal combination. My box turtle is now refusing to retreat into its shell.

[Orrex]

4. I've never met a box turtle that wasn't a total asshole and a mean drunk.

Marry one if you want to, but keep me the hell out of it.

[MineralMan]

5. Oh, sure...next you'll start whining about their vegetarianism, too.

Typical of your ilk!

[Orrex]

7. Hey, take my advice

After you have relations with your chelonean pal, you might want to consult a herpetologist.

You didn't hear it from me, but those filthy reptiles really get around.

[Warpy]

11. Until and unless that box turtle can consent, either

verbally or in writing, there is no danger of Cornyn or anyone else getting married to one.

Republicans always show us they have no concept of consent.

One wonders if they've ever experienced it.

[MineralMan]

2. I expect you're right.

People are weary of this whole thing. Add to that the declining influence of the fundementalist Christian movement, and most people will just shrug at same-sex marriage.

Few families do not have at least one GLBT member in their close extended family. Generally, that person is liked as well as other members of the family.

The time has come for this nonsense to just fade away into the past.

Of course, there will be those who decry same-sex marriage, but people are ignoring them pretty generally on a lot of social issues. This is just one more.

[Orrex]

6. I don't have a direct personal stake in the issue, but...

I would consider it a rare moment of actual progress if we as a society would finally recognize marriage equality. Such a move might even give me a glimmer of hope for humanity.

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. If Darth Cheney ever wanted to repair his image, he could campaign in favor of marriage equality.

I'd still hate him for being a murderous fascist war criminal, but grudgingly respect him for standing up for his daughter's right to marriage.

[Warpy]

9. In states where marriage is open to everyone

the fact that divorce rates and other measures of a stressed society don't increase (and they won't) will prove to sensible people that the religious ranters are dead wrong and allowing all consenting adults the (dubious) benefits of marriage will not end the world as they know it.

Eventually the USSC will step in, just like they did with interracial marriage.

[NutmegYankee]

10. As I tell others when I travel who express fears about the change -

It's legal in Connecticut and nobody notices or cares. Nothing has changed to society, other than it is a little more just and fair to all citizens. The nice thing is it is safe here, since the Constitutional Convention was shot down last November.

[Pisces]

12. We are living in exponential times, and in 4 or 8 yrs this will be a national law.

Just like miscegenation it will be decided in the courts and then people will follow. Young people who are christians do not have the same bias as their parents and grandparents. Having been exposed to gays they understand it's not catchy and that gays are not the devil incarnate. The tide has turned and people with the help of facebook, youtube, myspace, etc. are getting the right message without the media filter and the powers that be dictating what our social norms should be.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. You can bet that most caterers, florists, and formal rental

businesses will be all for it, because gay marriage means MORE marriages which means MORE business.

[JerseygirlCT]

14. I agree

We'll see it spread on the coasts first (or the more northerly east coast, I should say). But meanwhile, we'll see a USSC case moving its way along. I wouldn't be surprised to see that in the next 5 years.