John Roberts has a point... sort of.
In his dissent to the recent ruling affirming marriage equality for all, Roberts wrote: "However heartened the proponents of same-sex marriage might be on this day, it is worth acknowledging what they have lost, and lost forever: the opportunity to win the true acceptance that comes from persuading their fellow citizens of the justice of their cause."
He's wrong about the loss part. This is a victory for equality and love. But he has a point when he insinuates that the victory could have been even sweeter. Check below the squiggly to read how.
It would have been wonderful if more state legislatures had followed the example of Massachusetts in 2004 and acknowledged marriage equality for all citizens.
It would have been wonderful if Congress, having repealed the odious Defense of Marriage Act, had taken the obvious next step and passed a Marriage Equality Act.
And it would have been wonderful if we had affirmed marriage equality via a nationwide referendum like the people of Ireland.
Then again, I'm not so sure about the last claim. Although the celebration would have been wonderful, I agree with the wise men and women who said, "The rights of the minority should never be subject to the whims of the majority."
But Roberts is wrong when he claims that this is a loss for the proponents of marriage equality.
When support for marriage equality is polling at 60% and climbing, the proponents of marriage equality have obviously "convinced their fellow citizens of the justice of their cause."
If anything, it's a loss for our elected representatives who failed to represent the will of the people and enact marriage equality laws before now. If anything, their cowardice forced the courts to act for them.
And it's a loss for the four justices of the Supreme Court who were too blind to see the clear call of justice and equality for all.
There are plenty of losers today. The advocates and proponents of marriage equality are not among them. I guess we'll just have to heed Roberts' other words of wisdom from his dissent instead: "By all means celebrate today’s decision."
I'm celebrating. How about you?