What Constitutional Arguments Will the Supreme Court use?

The United States supreme court heard arguments about same-sex marriage this week. Justices will determine the fate of one federal act and the fate California's Proposition 8. Because the Constitution mentions marriage as often as the Bible mentions the Internet, the arguments center on two amendments, the Xth and the XIVth. The tenth amendment guarantees powers denied to the Federal government to the states and individuals, and the fourteenth amendment guarantees equal protection under the law.

The judges may make their decision based on personal and political beliefs, but this is not their job. However, there is a valid constitutional argument against the Defense of Marriage Act. It even comes from a strict interpretation of the constitution. Because the Constitution does not mention marriage, the power to regulate marriage is a power denied to the Federal Government. Unfortunately, this logic has dangerous implications for the other marriage case before the Supreme Court.

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Madonna presents a GLAAD award in Cub Scout Uniform

Madonna went to the GLAAD awards wearing something that resembled a Cub Scout uniform. The Hollywood Reporter misidentified the outfit as a Boy Scout uniform. Anyone who has been a member of either organization knows the uniforms do not look the same. Cub Scouts deck themselves out in blue and gold, while boy scouts favor  beige and khaki.

Madonna and her fashion designer may not have been in the Boy Scouts, and there is a good chance that Erik Hayden, the author of the article, only joined the organization for younger boys. If he had, we would have spotted some problems with the uniform itself. The troop number and the council path are worn on the sleeves, and the rank patches are worn on the right side only.   

The 80s pop-star is known for her outspoken views, and her more recent dispute with Lady Gaga.  

She went on stage to present an award to CNN's Anderson Cooper. The anchor came out as Gay late last year.

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Madonna Wear Boy Scout Uniform

 

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South Africa to Officially Recognize LGBT Pride Flag

South Africa may become the first nation to recognize the Gay Pride flag. The flag represents the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, according to Iafrica.com. The pride flag that the government will recognize was filed with the Department of Arts and Culture in October.

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Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20

November 20 marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Universities and LGBT groups often hold candlelight vigils to remember transgender individuals who were killed or murdered. Several web comics have used the day to mark the solemn occasion.

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Facebook Policy Changes Accidentally Out Users

Facebook accidentally outed Bobbi Duncan to her father this fall. Duncan had joined an LGBT choir group at the University of Austin. The social networking site added her name to an LGBT discussion list, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Duncan, like many Facebook users concerned about their privacy, set strict controls on the service, but a site policy change caused her to reveal her sexual orientation to her followers, including members of her family.  Her father did not take the news of his daughter's orientation well. He flooded her voice mail box with heated demands that she renounce her sinful ways.

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