In the short time since the Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA), conservatives who have opposed marriage equality for years have been painting themselves as the unfairly persecuted victims of the ruling.

Having always had difficulty explaining how extending equal rights to gay couples somehow infringes upon their own personal freedoms -- “you're being intolerant of our right to think gays are an abomination” isn't a particularly compelling argument --  right-wing media figures are now concocting elaborate scenarios in which their future rights will be infringed as a result of the DOMA ruling.

Fox News' Todd Starnes got the ball rolling yesterday, writing on Twitter that it “won't be long before they outlaw the Bible as hate speech,” and asking: “How long before federal agents haul pastors out of the pulpit?” Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham wondered aloud whether Catholics in America will be “persona non grata.” 

In a rambling column headlined “Supreme Court Coup” posted at his virulently anti-gay website WND, Joseph Farah picks up the theme, asking when the “persecution” of “marriage defenders” will begin.

According to Farah, the justices who struck down DOMA made “no real effort at making a constitutional case” against the legislation, instead relying on the argument “that anyone who opposes same-sex marriage does so for no other reason than bigotry against homosexuals.”

Farah thinks “it's obvious” where things will go from here, because SCOTUS “virtually declared an open season on those with whom the 5-4 majority disagree.” According to Farah: “I could say this decision represents the height of judicial tyranny, but that would be an understatement.”

He continues, suggesting the plans for “retribution against marriage defenders” are “already being drafted”:

So when does the persecution begin?

When are we stripped of our citizen status, the right to vote, the right to bear arms and other constitutionally guaranteed liberties? Isn't that next?

If not, why not?

It was just 10 years ago to the day of this decision that the Supreme Court issued another sweeping ruling in the Lawrence v. Texas case. It struck down anti-sodomy laws in that state and, effectively, across the country.

Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in his dissent in that case that the ruling would inevitably lead to same-sex marriage and polygamy. The cultural establishment scoffed at that opinion. It mocked Scalia. Why?

Because only 10 years ago, the notion of same-sex marriage was practically unheard of. It was a laughable proposition.

That's how quickly the 6,000-year-old institution of marriage was officially and arbitrarily redefined with the imprimatur of five high priests and priestesses wearing black robes.

Will it take another 10 years for the retribution against marriage defenders to begin?

I doubt it. My guess is the plans are already being drafted.

Farah laments, “We are no longer relevant. What we think no longer counts. We are, after all, bigots who only want to demean homosexuals.”