This is the usual argument taken but what many fail to realize is that while a State can declare that domestic partners have the same rights under STATE laws. States cannot guarantee the same rights under Federal laws. Because the federal laws use the word marriage, domestic partners are not included and do not receive any of the federal benefits.
Declaring it marriage does fill the current gap of equal rights.
Hey Tom, you didn't seem to address the issue I brought up. :(
You stated that prop 8 has nothing to do with people's rights.
I stated that is does. When it is in effect they have none of the marriage rights under federal law. Less rights would mean that it does have something to do with people's rights.
How would you reconcile this with your statement about how "Prop 8 has nothing to do with people’s rights." ?
States have their own laws for recognizing marriage so it doesn't matter what the state itself recognizes. Thats why you dont see the words "federal law" anywhere in the plantiffs case (page 5 in case you missed it)
Declaring it marriage does fill the current gap of equal rights.