Marriage equality has powerful backers

Marriage equality has powerful backers


The case against California's Proposition 8, now before the Supreme Court, has attracted a stampede of support from the country's most prominent political officials, including President Obama.

The Obama administration's decision to file an amicus curiae brief asking the Supreme Court to strike down the same-sex marriage ban wasn't wholly unexpected - gay rights advocates have been lobbying the White House for months - but the brief, which offers a full-throated argument for equal rights, still provided some surprises.

If the court takes the Justice Department's "important government interest" argument at face value, it would leave the court no other choice than to strike down all same-sex marriage bans.

Among the California business leaders' concerns is that a discriminatory law makes it harder for them to recruit and retain workers who are being wooed by firms in states or even other countries that grant gays and lesbians the rights and responsibilities - and respect - that come with marriage.

All of these politicians and business leaders are responding to the nation's fast-changing attitude toward same-sex marriage, which the Supreme Court needs to notice as well.

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