Noted in this brief article in the New York Times, Pennsylvania’s being the last state in the Northeast and the 19th state in the U.S. to recognize the rights of Gays and Lesbians to marry. There was a time when Jim Crow laws in the South and segregation throughout our country was pervasive. During the 1960’s Bob Dylan sang “The Times, They are a Changing”, and to their credit the leadership in the U.S., President John F. Kennedy, later President Lyndon Johnson, and a host of civil rights leaders including especially Martin Luther King led the charge to extend basic freedoms in our Constitution to all citizens. People of color are still fighting that fight; witness the U.S. Rights Act. Two steps forward, one step back
The times are still changing, as the steady tide of cases- from our First Circuit Federal Courts appear all destined to sweep up the stairs into the majestic staid courtroom of our Justices. These are truly momentous times, and I urge you all to keep current on this historical occasion.
As a result of my being on the Amicus Committee for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, I am proud that my group will be preparing Amicus Briefs for some of those cases, as we are invited to participate, in the Federal Courts of Appeal and ultimately the United States Supreme Court. One step backwards. Two steps forward. We will get there.
PhilipJByers
Philip J. Byers, Attorney 