Proposition 8

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, the federal judge who struck down California's voter-approved ban on gay marriage must now decide whether the ban should remain in tact while the ruling makes its way through the appeals process. [ Read more → ]

While gay rights advocates from across the country celebrate Wednesday's historic ruling in which U.S. Judge Vaughn Walker overturned Proposition 8, political groups, elected officials and activists on both sides issued reaction today, ranging for jubilation to furiously denouncing the court's ruling. [ Read more → ]

A federal judge on Wednesday struck down California's Proposition 8, the 2008 voter approved ban on gay marriage, ruling it "unconstitutional" and "fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license." [ Read more → ]

Proposition 8 (a.k.a. “traditional marriage”) supporters say they are the victims, not gay people. And that gay people have brought negative backlash upon themselves by standing up for their equal rights. [ Read more → ]

"The very idea of marriage is basic to recognition as equals in our society; any status short of that is inferior, unjust, and unconstitutional." -- Ted Olson, a staunch conservative and one of the attorneys challenging the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8. [ Read more → ]

There are always going to be those people who will never accept homosexuality and will HATE gays and lesbians ... Everybody has that dream of growing up and falling in love and getting married, including gay people. I would ask these people to please not take that dream away from me. I deserve to be happy too. [ Read more → ]

Shelly has some very strong opinions about Prop 8. She voted in favor of the initiative because, “sexual relationships, once considered a private matter between consenting adults, can no longer be viewed as such. Private choices have public consequences." [ Read more → ]

I’m a Mormon, and I think It is ridiculous to think that allowing a broader realm of people to marry would somehow weaken families or marriage. I think just the opposite would be true. [ Read more → ]

It is hard for me to describe, or even let myself fully feel, the pain and hurt caused by the California Supreme Court upholding Proposition 8. I have been dreading the Day of Decision. Never before in my life have I felt such a mix of sorrow, solitude, pain... [ Read more → ]

The once-progressive Aloha state seems doomed for Republican takeover, following lame duck Governor Linda Lingle's veto yesterday of a same-sex civil unions bill passed last month by the state legislature. [ Read more → ]

The controversial film “8: The Mormon Proposition,” which harshly criticizes the Mormon Church for campaigning in favor or California’s ban on same-sex marriage, opened in select theaters Friday. Focused on the 2008 passage of California’s Proposition 8, Director Reed Cowan’s documentary has struck a nerve... [ Read more → ]

Closing arguments were presented in court today in the landmark trial challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the final opportunity for attorneys on both sides to influence a federal judge in deciding the fate of California's voter approved ban on gay marrige. "This case is... [ Read more → ]

The federal judge presiding over a trial on California's Proposition 8 issued a list this week of 39 wide-ranging questions to be answered in closing arguments in San Francisco next week. [caption id="attachment_8183" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Walker"][/caption] No broad conclusions can be made from this order... [ Read more → ]

Closing arguments in the federal challenge to California's Proposition 8, the voter approved ban on gay marriage, will not be broadcast. Chief Judge Vaughn Walker denied a request from media groups seeking to record the June 16 session. The U.S. District Court for the Northern... [ Read more → ]

The Mormon Church has agreed to pay a $5000 fine for failing to report some campaign staff contributions it made in support of Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure in California that outlawed same-sex marriage. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Church of Jesus... [ Read more → ]

A challenge to California's gay marriage ban failed on Monday to qualify for the 2010 ballot, leaving gay activists mulling a 2012 push and hoping a federal court will overturn the measure before then. Los Angeles-based Love Honor Cherish carried out a volunteer-driven signature-gathering effort... [ Read more → ]

Gay marriage advocates plan to file an emergency appeal of a federal judge's order requiring them to release documents from the political campaign against Proposition 8 as part of the ongoing legal challenge to California's ban on gay unions. From the Mercury-News: In court papers... [ Read more → ]

A federal judge on Monday ordered same-sex marriage advocacy groups to turn over campaign materials from the election fight over Proposition 8, a move that could prolong the legal challenge to California’s ban on gay unions [...] [ Read more → ]

Yesterday marked the deadline for final briefs to be submitted in the federal trial over California's ban on same-sex marriage. [caption id="attachment_6599" align="aligncenter" width="466" caption="Plantiffs (left to right) Paul Katami, Jeff Zarillo, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier."][/caption] The two sides in the case -- two... [ Read more → ]

The biggest open secret in the landmark trial over same-sex marriage being heard in San Francisco is that the federal judge who will decide the case, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, is himself gay. According to the San Francisco Chronicle [...] [ Read more → ]