This year, the Roberts court has been pretty good to minority populations–especially the gays. Must be the down-to-earth, common sense latina wisdom that they finally have in the mix.
In a 5-4 decision, yesterday with Justice Ginsberg writing, the Supreme Court sided with the University of California’s Hastings College of Law against the militant Right-Wing hate group the “Christian” Legal Society who had been denied registered organization status and benefits because they don’t allow non-Christians, gays, pro-lifers, etc… to join. Heck, even the Republicans let us in, give me a break.
Members of this group had to actually sign a statement swearing that they were not in “unrepentant” sexually immoral relationships (meaning gay, not heterosexually promiscuous, of course). It was this sworn statement that landed the organization in hot water at college campuses all over the country. Gays tried to join the group; were told to sign the statement; asked what “sexually immoral” meant; were told; realized they could not be unrepentant; refused to sign; were denied membership, and went to the University.
Other Federal Courts had upheld the “Christian” Legal Society’s right to exclude others, but colleges pressed on, citing their own non-discrimination policies as reason why they could not allow registered student groups a pass.
Now the highest court in the land has spoken, and CLS is going to have to make a decision: let everyone in, regardless of gender, orientation, race, creed or religion or pack up and hit the road.
The dignified response would be to open their doors to everyone.
But the Right Wingers aren’t dignified, so of course, we’ll see temper tantrums at college campuses throughout the country, Catholic League action alerts–the whole kit-and-caboodle (bet you thought it was kitten caboodle, didn’t you!). It matters not. Unless the US Congress now takes action allowing discrimination on college campuses, its over for CLS. And guess what: they won’t.
On a sadder note, however, not only did America’s longest serving legislator, West Virgina Democratic Senator Robert Byrd, pass away yesterday, Justice Ginsberg–who wrote Monday’s decision–lost her husband, Martin, on Sunday.