California Supreme Court Hearings re: Prop 8

[tdogg]

Hi everyone!

Just a reminder that the California Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments based upon the three lawsuits filed against Prop 8, on Thursday March 5th, at the San Francisco CSC location. They are required to issue a ruling no later than 90 days after the arguments have been heard.

On Wednesday March 4th, candlelight vigils will be held across the nation. You can probably check jointheimpact.com for a listing of locations, or just organize something yourself. While Prop 8 is a California issue, the outcome will likely affect equality efforts nationwide either way.

Of course, a perfect ruling for us would be to overturn Prop 8 and uphold the marriages performed before November 5th. A lot is at stake, including approximately 18,000 marriages of same sex couples. More than that, fundamental civil rights are at stake, and no matter what happens with Prop 8, we must never cease to fight for full and equal rights nationwide and at the federal level.

I'm excited and nervous and scared. I'm appalled that my rights were put to a vote and that they must be decided upon by a court. I'm anxious for the outcome, but then simultaneous frightened of what it could be. Wish I could be in SF, but I'll probably stick to watching the live broadcast (Cal Channel, it will be a live webcast) sitting at home in my jammies. Not sure I can muster up enough of myself to go to work that day.

Thats it, just wanted to share what is going on next week. The time is here, it is now and we shall know what the CSC rules by early June. We will either start celebrating or fighting even harder (or both).

[Vanessa White]

I am organizing a candlelight vigil here; we are having it at 8:00 PM on March 4 in Scranton, PA. There is so much at stake, and what happens there will ultimately impact on the whole country, I firmly believe that.

Even though I felt a bit overwhelmed at trying to put something together, the response so far has been tremendous. This is my flyer:

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
TO SUPPORT LGBT PERSONS AND OUR ALLIES, WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED FOR EQUAL MARRIAGE

On Thursday, March 5, 2009, the Supreme Court in California will begin hearing testimony regarding the validity of the marriages issued there in 2008 to thousands of gay couples. We gather to recognize the need for equal marriage for ALL couples, gay and heterosexual.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2009
COURTHOUSE SQUARE, SCRANTON
8:00 PM

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to show support and solidarity for this critically important issue.

SPONSORED BY LOCAL CITIZENS THAT ARE ADVOCATES OF EQUAL MARRIAGE


Hang in there, Tdogg! I will be there with you in spirit......

[tdogg]

Thank you Vanessa, you are so awesome!!

(I'm finally on Facebook, I'll have to 'find' you if you're still on.)

Are you going to try to catch the streaming video on the Cal Channel?

[sjbouza]

Does anyone know if there will be a live webcast of the hearings like they did in Iowa?

Please provide any URLs if there is. I would like to watch it if the possibility is there.

Peace,
Scott

[Gennee]

My friends and I are praying about this. I don't know if there is a vigil or protest here in New York but I'll find out.

Gennee

[Vanessa White]

Hey Tdogg: I am DEFINITELY still on Facebook, more than ever lately! Vanessa Leigh White is how I am listed; I don't know if I can view live streaming video at work, but if so, I will be watching!!!!

[tdogg]

www.calchannel.com

It should have a link on the first page. I'm not sure how the hearings will come out, we had Obama's inauguration on at work and it was poor reception. I'm going to watch the live webcast though. Not sure if I'll do it at work or just stay home.

Very emotional time here and around the nation. Either way it's going to be a wild time. Just be sure you have a support system in place if the CSC rules to uphold Prop 8. The ruling is likely early June or even as early as May.
to you all (Vanessa, I'll 'look' for you on Facebook!).

[Rick336]

Protest on the Capitol steps:

http://www.365gay.com/blog/lo-after-...iage-hearings/

Rick

[tdogg]

It did not go well for those arguing to repeal Prop 8. The justices were very harsh and appeared to be siding with upholding 8. However they also appeared very reluctant to invalidate the marriages performed.

I am disappointed in Shannon Minter, as he was unable to lay out how domestic partnerships differ from marriage benefits. Justice Kennard asked him to specify how the two are different and he offered nothing. He based all arguments on the revision vs. amendment issue, as his testimony was not based on the argument of rights. A big mistake IMO.

The SF attorney did quite well, and so did Maroko. AG Brown's rep was incompetent and probably hurt us. It was a painful 3+ hours.

[tdogg]

I wanted to add, that no matter what happens with Prop 8, equality is coming. I think we'll win this one in CA by a popular vote 2012, or perhaps 2014. But it's coming. So many people who voted yes on 8 have recanted and said they would now vote no. The tide is turning and there is no going back.

So, chin up. No matter what happens with this decision, we must continue fighting for full equality, at the federal level and in all states, and for everyone. There is so much work to be done. There is much to do, much to say. We need to come out, tell our stories, and reach hearts.

I had a conversation with a person who voted yes on 8. When she heard my personal story of how Prop 8 hurt me, she had tears in her eyes. Maybe she hasn't changed her mind, but my pain touched her. That's what needs to happen. We need to put a face to their discrimination.

Should Prop 8 be overturned, I am personally vowing to bring this fight to every state and the federal level. I won't stop with CA. There are already groups and events in the planning to do just that. If we win this in the future, we'll take it on the road. Meanwhile, other states are coming on board. We will see marriage equality probably in NY and NJ before CA. We have loads of anti-gay laws that need to be repealed. Much to do everywhere.

[Matt Algren]

Quick update: Prop 8 ruling Tuesday at 10:00 (PDT), 1:00 (EDT).

[tdogg]

Big rally Tuesday evening, depending on which way it goes, either dancing in the streets or marching to the Capitol. Next Saturday people from all over are boarding buses and driving their cars to Fresno for Meet in the Middle for Equality (they were completely ignored during the No on 8 campaign).

Bad news first: most are thinking the Supremes will probably uphold Prop 8.

Good news: everyone feels they will also uphold the marriages performed.

Even gooder news: many legal experts are now voicing their uncertainty that the justices will uphold Prop 8, given the momentum equality has had in several states recently, including one (Iowa or Vermont??) that used the CSC decision to overturn Prop 22 as part of its basis for ruling for marriage equality.

Either way, there is much work to be done!!