equality!

the california supreme court just held that the state must permit same-sex couples to marry. they said that domestic partnership, which currently gives same-sex couples all the same rights as marriage under state law, except under a different name, is not good enough. having a separate system makes same-sex couples second-class citizens, which our constitution doesn't permit.

check out the opinion here. (it's long!) (for you legal nerds, note that the court also held that sexual orientation is a suspect class, and therefore distinctions based on sexual orientation are subject to strict scrutiny. that's pretty bold and exciting, too.)

this is so freaking awesome i can't even believe it. i love california!