Change is coming
The court examined and rejected the argument Mr Tait makes - that marriage must be reserved to mixed-sex couples because it is about enhancing parental relationships. Mixed-sex couples who are unable to have children are not banned from marrying. Many marriages are childless. And any couple, mixed or same-sex, can apply to adopt a child in California. Following Mr Tait's own argument, therefore, marriage ought to be available to same-sex couples as well.
Not counting California, five US states allow same-sex marriage already, and the sky has not fallen there. In western Europe, seven of the countries around the UK already allow same-sex marriage, and the number is growing every year. Like the bans on mixed-race marriage half a century ago, the bans on same-sex marriage in US states will eventually and inevitably go.
TIM HOPKINS
Equality Network
Bernard Street, Edinburgh