CALIF. COURT HEARS SSM ARGUMENTS: From the New York Times

...Lawyers for the City and County of San Francisco and more than a dozen same-sex couples presented their cases in San Francisco Superior Court, the first step in a lengthy legal process that will determine the constitutionality of state laws that define marriage as being only between a man and a woman. The hearing continues on Thursday.

"The state should not be able to reach into our homes and choose our life partners," said one of the lawyers, Waukeen McCoy, who represents six same-sex couples who want to be married. "It is bad enough when our parents do that." ...

"The word 'marriage' has a particular meaning to them, and they don't want that meaning to change," said Louis R. Mauro, a senior assistant attorney general.

Mr. Mauro added, "Complex social policies should not be determined in this courtroom" and "the public needs to be a part of the process."

In addressing the 30 or so lawyers from several consolidated cases, the judge, Richard A. Kramer, said the dispute was "not so much what marriage is about, but who gets to be married and participate in those benefits."

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posted by Eve at 1:26 PM | link

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