It's not every day we get to celebrate a victory in the Rights & Liberties newsletter, but last week's decision by the California Supreme Court to strike down the state's ban on gay marriage provides a great reason. "A life-affirming moment" is how one resident of San Francisco's Castro District described it to the Associated Press. Others have called it "momentous;" "historic;" a "significant milestone."

AlterNet columnist Deb Price writes about the decision this week, describing it as evidence that Americans are no longer so blind to the cruel injustice of denying same-sex couples such a fundamental right. "Chief Justice Ronald George, a Republican appointee who wrote the 121-page majority opinion, said the nation's evolution in views and policies toward racial minorities and women teaches 'that even the most familiar and generally accepted of social practices and traditions often mask an unfairness and inequality that frequently is not recognized or appreciated by those not directly harmed by those practices or traditions.'" Same-sex marriages will likely begin in 30 days, and "unlike in Massachusetts, gay couples from any state will be able to marry in California."

Of course, the fight isn't over. In this election season, same-sex marriage will likely end up on the ballot for Californians. Read about the battles to come and why the Golden State could become "Ground Zero for the marriage wars." And, while I can't promise more sunny headlines, be sure to check out the rest of AlterNet's Rights & Liberties section.

Thanks for reading,

Liliana Segura

Editor, Rights & Liberties Special Coverage

How the Golden State Could Become the New Ground Zero for the Marriage Wars
By Christopher Lisotta, The Nation
While champagne corks pop in West Hollywood, this election season, LGBT rights activists are gearing up for what could be the fight of their lives. Read more »

Betrayals, Backsliding and Boycotts: The Continuing Collapse of Guantánamo's Military Commissions
By Andy Worthington, Andy Worthington's Blog
Guantánamo is in total disarray. Read more »

How Cell Phones Have Fueled a Frenzy of "Honor" Killings in Iraq
By Patrick Cockburn, Independent UK
The position of women in Iraqi society has deteriorated dramatically since the start of the occupation -- and the daily results are deadly. Read more »

How the Government Is Passing Secret Laws
By Sean Gonsalves, AlterNet
The government is undermining our rights by making laws in secret. Surprise, surprise. Read more »

After Gitmo: The American Government is Legally and Morally Responsible for Giving Innocent Prisoners a New Life in the U.S.
By Aziz Huq, The Nation
When it comes to Guantánamo, the most pressing problem is not how to "store" dangerous prisoners; it is the fate of those who are innocent. Read more »

A New Documentary Draws Stark Parallels Between Chile Under Pinochet and the Post-9/11 "War on Terror"
By Sophia A. McClennen, AlterNet
A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman is an indictment of torture and a powerful study of individual and collective memory. Read more »

Government May Have Massive Surveillance Program for Use in "National Emergency"
By Satyam Khanna, Think Progress
During a national emergency, an illegal surveillance program may classify up to 8 million Americans as "enemies of the state." Read more »

U.S. Military Judge Postpones Hamdan Military Commission Trial
By Mike Rosen-Molina, Jurist Legal News and Research
Salim Hamdan, who plans to boycott his trial, has been in U.S. custody since 2001 when he was accused of working as Osama Bin Laden's driver. Read more »

DOJ Report: FBI Needs Supervision in Use of Security Letters
By Looseheadprop, Firedoglake
An investigation by the Department of Justice found systemic failures and abuses in the FBI's use and management of National Security Letters Read more »

Nominate a Local Activist for This Brave Nation Award
By Erikka Yancy, Brave New Films
Who is a local unsung hero that you know? Read more »