Thank heavens a really serious publication has had the guts to take this up.
The idea that Judge Vaughn Walker (republican, experienced etc) was not able to rule on the flimsy Prop 8 case (by that I mean the very strong appeal), on the basis of being gay and in a relationship is absurd. As the Times says, what next? Women can’t judge rape cases?
These people are fools who insult the notion of justice.
Photo credit: Mary Ellen Mark for the New Yorker
Fascinating New Yorker article here, one I’ve been meaning to blog about since returning from holiday. About how Hollywood high-flyer and Oscar winner Haggis abandoned the organisation he now calls a cult, over their refusal to disown Proposition 8 and treat his gay daughters as equals.
One from the archives. I have a thing about how short-term our memories are now. We struggle with so much information these days that it seems we so easily forget important lessons and examples.
So here’s one from the week after Obama’s election. When the world had so much hope for him, and when gays and lesbians in the United States and elsewhere were mourning the passing of Proposition 8.
OMG … so there won’t be gay marriages on Wednesday in California after all.
See the Court order below – the appeal is speeded up, but still will not be heard until 6 December! The Court does at least specifically order the Prop 8 proponents to show why this case should not be dismissed for lack of standing.
Amazing news from California where the Federal Court has ruled that the ban on gay marriage in California cannot withstand any scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause of the United States constitution.
Excerpts from the federal court decision that found Proposition 8 violated the U.S. Constitution.
Lovely photos here of the reaction to the news.
Great line from LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “the court has affirmed that love doesn’t discriminate.” This from Lady Gaga on Twitter: “At the moments notice of PROP 8 DEATH I instantly began to write music. … THIS IS JUST THE BEGININNG!”
The state has no interest, according to the judgement, in disadvantaging selected groups. Private moral views do not count as a basis for legal restraints on couples.
Most importantly the fact that voters rejected the right to marriage equality is irrelevant because: “fundamental rights may not be submitted to [a] vote.” Gender no longer forms an essential part of marriage; marriage under law is a union of equals!
Here is a great excerpt from Ted Olson, as reported by Rex Wockner, closing the case in California to have the anti-gay marriage Prop 8 referendum outlawed because it is unconsitutional to take away marriage rights. This is classy and clever and brave for a conservative to argue …
A new documentary out this week – The Mormon Proposition – shows the Mormon church in a close race with the Catholic establishment to determine who hates the idea of equal loving relationships most.
And you also learn about those like Linda Stay (see video) with courage to leave a community they love to stand up for the values and the children they love more.
Levi’s is back this year supporting the White Knot for Equality campaign, one of my personal favourites.
You would not think gay marriage is a top priority for a lot of Levi’s wearers, but that has not stopped the company branching out to help us out for second year in a row. Continue reading →
