MSNBC staff and news service reports updated 1:18 p.m. PT, Thurs., May. 15, 2008 SAN FRANCISCO - In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot. Domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage, the justices ruled 4-3 in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George. Outside the courthouse, gay marriage supporters cried and cheered as news spread of the decision.

 

 

 

 

All violent crimes are reprehensible. But the damage done by hate crimes cannot be measured solely in terms of physical injury or dollars and cents. Hate crimes rend the fabric of our society and fragment communities because they target a whole group and not just the individual victim. Hate crimes are committed to cause fear to a whole community. A violent hate crime is intended to "send a message" that an individual and "their kind" will not be tolerated, many times leaving the victim and others in their group feeling isolated, vulnerable and unprotected

 

 

 

The US, Marriage offers many legal benefits and responsibilities that protect families. Here are just a fraction of why marriage matters to those couples who choose to marry.

 

 

Marriage offers 1,138 Federal benefits and responsibilities, not including hundreds more offered by every state.

 

* In times of crisis, spouses have hospital visitation rights and can make medical decisions in event of illness or disability of their spouse.

* Employers offer spouses sick leave, bereavement leave, access to health insurance and pension