California's top court overturns gay marriage ban

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

Heterosexuals live together all the time. I think in Texas if a heterosexual couple lives together for at least 10 years, carries on like they are married and presents themselves to the public like they are married then for all intensive purposes in the eyes of the law they are married.

So, does Common Law apply to gay couples as well?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

So, does Common Law apply to gay couples as well?

No, and in many states you can't form a common law marriage no matter how long you live together and hold yourselves out as married.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

then for all intensive purposes in the eyes of the law they are married.

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

So, does Common Law apply to gay couples as well?

Originally Posted by MysticCat

No, and in many states you can't form a common law marriage no matter how long you live together and hold yourselves out as married.

Even if I have really intensive purposes?

[a.e.B.O.T.]

Ok, now my cheese is basically charcoal. Was just watching the news, and it was announced that in California, the gay marriage issue will be BACK on the ballot in November. I hope not too many states follow this lead. Not because I do not think the people should have a voice, but this will DIRECTLY effect the election AGAIN, and it is just bad news for Barack. I think he still has a good chance at winning California, BUT I hope not too many states follow with putting such an issue, because it IS the reason Bush won Ohio in 2004, and def. a way for McCain to win it again...

I need new cheese.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by a.e.B.O.T.

Ok, now my cheese is basically charcoal. Was just watching the news, and it was announced that in California, the gay marriage issue will be BACK on the ballot in November. I hope not too many states follow this lead. Not because I do not think the people should have a voice, but this will DIRECTLY effect the election AGAIN, and it is just bad news for Barack. I think he still has a good chance at winning California, BUT I hope not too many states follow with putting such an issue, because it IS the reason Bush won Ohio in 2004, and def. a way for McCain to win it again...

I need new cheese.

Hm...voters exercising their right to vote affecting an election, now we just can't have that can we?

[a.e.B.O.T.]

Originally Posted by nate2512

Hm...voters exercising their right to vote affecting an election, now we just can't have that can we?

You should probably read a little closer before you criticize. I love the right to vote. However, the gay marriage ban was put on the ballot in several states in 2004 to help Bush win the election. My fear is that the PURPOSE of many states adding it again in 2008 is NOT to get an opinion on gay marriage, but to make sure that the voters with traditional conservative beliefs come and vote for the PRESIDENTIAL election.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by a.e.B.O.T.

You should probably read a little closer before you criticize. I love the right to vote. However, the gay marriage ban was put on the ballot in several states in 2004 to help Bush win the election. My fear is that the PURPOSE of many states adding it again in 2008 is NOT to get an opinion on gay marriage, but to make sure that the voters with traditional conservative beliefs come and vote for the PRESIDENTIAL election.

Ok, so the liberals go vote FOR gay marriage, and vote for Obama. If you can't get a majority vote, don't bitch and blame a gay marriage bill on the defeat. I can't help it that certain states have to keep re-hashing this over and over again, because they just can't seem to respect the people's majority opinion, it's obvious that the gays are pushing for this to be on the ballots otherwise the states aren't going to do it for the hell of it. Why don't you go file a lawsuit and say the states are "helping" McCain win, see how that goes?

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

So, does Common Law apply to gay couples as well?

No. Here are some websites:

http://www.co.travis.tx.us/dro/common_law.asp


Q: What makes a common law marriage?

* A: Three elements must be present to form a common law marriage in Texas.

First, you must have "agreed to be married."
Second, you must have "held yourselves out" as husband and wife. You must have represented to others that you were married to each other. As an example of this, you may have introduced you partner socially as "my husband," or you may have filed a joint income tax return.
Third, you must have lived together in this state as husband and wife.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/commonlaw.htm