Gay rights victories change American politics

Tension mounts as the Supreme Court approaches an historic decision that I hope makes equality of marriage and gay marriage the law of the land in all 50 states. The odds look good for the cause of gay marriage, although with the current court, nothing is certain. What is certain is that there has been a seismic shift in public opinion and the advocates of gay marriage are winning a decisive and transforming victory that will continue and expand until every American — including gay Americans — has fully equal rights in every aspect of modern life.

A tidal wave of public opinion has turned in favor of gay marriage. Throughout the nation, there has been a powerful and permanent shift in public opinion on a wide range of social and lifestyle issues. Even more remarkable is that the wave of support for gay rights and gay marriage is worldwide and even reaches heavily Catholic nations such as Ireland, where gay marriage recently won a dramatic and overpowering victory.

{mosads}As I have long argued as a matter of constitutional law and common sense, it is not my place — or your place — to tell anyone whom he or she can or cannot marry. What would conservatives think if someone proposed that conservatives should not be allowed to marry?

The heart of the American idea that all Americans are created equal, and should have equal rights under the American constitution and American law. That is what the case before the Supreme Court is all about; that is the proposition — equality of marriage and equally of rights — that the court should rule in favor of.

My advice to my friends on the right is to join me and others taking the civil libertarian and egalitarian position that every American should have the constitutional right to love and marry the person of his or her choice.

It is time for those on the right to understand that times have changed, the champions of equality are winning big and conservatives should lead, follow or get out of the way before history and simple justice leave them behind.

Budowsky was an aide to former Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Texas) and former Rep. Bill Alexander (D-Ark.), who was then chief deputy majority whip of the House. He holds an LL.M. degree in international financial law from the London School of Economics. Contact him at brentbbi@webtv.net.