Domain of Losses

As exciting as the California Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage is, I have to admit I'm worried. Not about the backlash problem, which I don't think is that big a deal. Rather, the fact that the decision likely will be challenged by a citizen initiative. And most folks seem to think that bigotry will squeak out a victory.

This will be crushing -- far more so than losing a vote to constitutionalize gay marriage bans in states which already bar them statutorily will be. It'll snatch away a victory that gays enjoyed, even if for only a short while, in a very high-profile fashion, and will undoubtedly give equality opponents momentum in an era where the tide had seemed to be turning against them.