UPDATE 12 noon:
Judge Vaughn Walker just released his decision, ruling that PROP 8 IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL! More update at bottom!
(Press release from Church of the Foothills)
Today, Wednesday August 4th, US District Judge Vaughn Walker will release his ruling on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 banning marriage for same-gender couples. Church of the Foothills is pleased to be joining a wide array of community groups from all parts of Orange County for a “Fairness for ALL Families” rally, scheduled for 7 PM. It will be held in Sasscer Park, across the street from the Federal Building and Courthouse in Downtown Santa Ana. Whether it will be a protest or celebration remains to be seen.
The pastor of Church of the Foothills, Mike Holland, who was voted by readers of the OC Weekly as the Best Political Pastor in Orange County, noted his excitement at the church’s involvement in the rally. “Our congregation has long been a champion of peace and justice issues, and a firm supporter of marriage equality. It is time that the state recognize that all people are worthy of full equal treatment under the law.”
Church member Kergan Edwards-Stout, who is raising two sons with partner Russ Noe, is anxiously awaiting the court decision. “The inequities that are placed on our family are truly astounding,” said Edwards-Stout. “I teach our kids to follow the golden rule, and it is disheartening to have to explain that the government doesn’t treat everyone equally under the law.” He continues, “During the Prop 8 trial, I kept hearing people say that they were trying to protect the children, and I wondered, who is protecting my children?” As domestic partnership laws don’t provide the same legal rights as marriage, Edwards-Stout is concerned about his family’s future. “Our kids deserve the same rights as everyone else’s, with equality in medical insurance coverage, survivor benefits, and other rights that most families take for granted.”
“Fairness for ALL Families” is being organized by the Orange County Equality Coalition and many other community organizations. It will feature speakers and entertainment, as well as representatives from local groups providing information on how to get involved in the fight for equality. “I hope everyone comes out for this momentous decision,” said Holland. “This is a terrific opportunity to join the fight for equal rights for all.”
To learn more about the event, please visit:
http://ocequality.ning.com/events/decision-day-orange-county
VERN SEZ: SEE YA THERE!
More Update! from the Courage Campaign:
Judge Walker’s federal court decision is an historic milestone in the fight for full equality, but it is only a first step: The decision will inevitably be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
After denying Americans the opportunity to watch this historic trial on television, Prop 8 campaign leaders and extreme right-wing organizations like the National Organization for Marriage and Focus on the Family will stop at nothing to delegitimize this decision before it ever reaches the Supreme Court.
But this time, we’re fighting back by launching our biggest campaign ever — an unprecedented online storytelling project to bring the Prop 8 trial into the lives of the American people and transform the debate over marriage equality.
As the next phase in our year-long “Testimony: Equality on Trial” project, our new campaign will empower same-sex couples, their families, and allies to fundamentally change the conversation about same-sex marriage in America — establishing today’s ruling as the social and cultural foundation for victory in the Supreme Court.
http://www.couragecampaign.org/DefendTheDecision
Ted Olson, the legendary attorney who teamed up with one-time adversary David Boies to successfully lead this case against Prop 8, said it better than anyone:
“If there was ever a trial in the history of our country that the American people should have seen, it was this one.”
I couldn’t agree more. To prevent the right-wing from spouting the same lies that were debunked and destroyed in Judge Walker’s courtroom, we must translate today’s victory in court to victory in the hearts and minds of Americans.
That’s why we collected nearly 140,000 signatures to televise the Prop 8 trial — a campaign cited in a dissenting opinion to the the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision against broadcast. It’s also why we launched the Prop 8 Trial Tracker and the NOM Tour Tracker — generating more than 2.5 million views and 44,121 comments combined. And it’s why we are bringing this trial to life across America with the next phase of Testimony: Equality on Trial.
Today’s historic decision must be defended in the court of public opinion. That’s why Tom Dolby and Drew Frist have stepped up to make a $25,000 matching grant challenge to the Courage community so we can fight back together against the right-wing’s framing of this trial, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. But we need your help now to make the match in the next 48 hours. Click here to contribute $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford. DEADLINE: FRIDAY, 11:59 PM:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/DefendTheDecision
Thank you for all you have done to make today’s victory possible. With your ongoing support, full equality will eventually be the law of the land.
Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign Institute
I’ll be there Vern!
Don’t expect anyone from next door at the LOC though, They are confused, praising and defending PROP 8’s “Mexican” spokeswoman, Mrs JUBAL Cunningham, allthewhile acting as if they are for equal marriage.
YOU EITHER ARE OR ARE NOT.
It is incumbant upon EVERYONE to call this what it is: A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE.
If you agree then you can not post comments in support of those who represent singular marriage. They are sounding more and more like Meg Whitman.
See you tomorrow.
If you see me in my black fedora say hi!
I like gay people so FYI… Mexicans are not VERY friendly to your kind… try to stay in a crowd of about 1000
OMG 🙂
1. Who said we were gay? You ever hear of stickin up for people who are different from you?
2. The Mexicans who don’t like gays are just the old farts, I expect to see lotsa nice young Mexicans there, gay or not.
We are the future QUINNY!
Vern. What happened to my post announcing this pending ruling?
I’m working in SD for the next few days, or else I would be there. Keep us posted on other events like this, please.
“Mike Holland, who was voted by readers of the OC Weekly as the Best Political Pastor in Orange County”
Really! Political Pastor!? Churches are not even allowed to endorse any political person from the pulpit. You liberals want a separation of Church and state, but will gladly rally under a “Political Pastor.” Way to FAIL.
Gay is not a choice, just like stupidity, so we’ll cut you some slack.
Thank you sir. I now hear that the ruling may not come out until tomorrow, but I’m not sure if this is true or not.
OMG we are all SOOOOOO shock that a FEDERAL judge has over turned prop 8 against the will of 7 million people!
ONE dictator told u all what he thought and you have no right to say otherwise. This country is not for the people or by the people. This country has become a dictatorship ruled by from the bench by liberal judges!
So now come’s marriage between Rover and sheila!
Hey it should not be based on morality right? It should not be based on common sense? it should not be based on the fact that two men with a penis can’t make a family as intended by the marriage contract to support the structure of the family. YOU can not also base it on the fact that the ACLU scum will now be looking for for churches to sue, if against their religious beliefs they refuse to marry two gays!
woof woof!
Michelle.
This is not the end of the story. It will be heard by the Supreme’s and I am not referring to Diana Ross’s group
That’s quite a diatribe–why so upset? Your hysterical little screed is difficult to respond to, as it’s so whacky.
Let’s try one of your “thoughts.” Are you implying that a dog can marry a woman? Ok, listen closely. Amrriage is a contractual relationship. A dog cannot enter into a contract, so that won’t happen, ‘k?
Try again.
Yeah, up above Quinn had claimed she likes gay people and hopes gay people watch out for Mexicans – so I kinda wasn’t expecting the Santorum from her. The Tancredo from her I expect, but not the Santorum. I guess she’s a well-rounded wingnut after all!
Michelle,
This has EVERYTHING to do with the law, not the judge.
As demonstrated in Brown v. The Board Of Education SEPERATE IS NOT EQUAL.
This is all about equal rights.
Nothing else.
I did not choose to be who I am but I am gay and grateful today for the court ruling. I do not know if I will be able to come to Santa Ana tonight, but if not I will be there in spirit.
I know this is not the end of the battle for equal rights under the law, but it is another step along the way.
ROUND 1 ONLY . THE SUPREME CT WILL OVERTURN THIS .
Certainly a positive development in the ongoing struggle for marriage equality!
Grating One,
Don’t be so sure. We already know how 8 of the 9 justices will vote. The key will be Anthony Kennedy…accurately described as the new Sandra Day O’Connor…and he’s certainly the most pwerful justice on the Court now. He votes with both sides. And he’s also expressed openness to foreign law precedent, which is certainly, in general, more progressive than American law.
Great One,
Not if Justice Kennedy is still around.
Kennedy, a Californian (who as a young man often came in contact with then Gov. Earl Warren, later the Chief Justice) has indicated the measure is suspect (from a constitutional standpoint).
I think that you are blinded by your politics. But I have to ask: Why are you against ALL people being treated equal. Do you consider some different from others? Please do tell us which citizens The Great One thinks should have rights.
What’s interesting is, why are our most anti-illegal-immigrant commenters also our most anti-gay commenters? As well as anti-Muslim?
They have different excuses for the different positions. But it’s hard to escape the impression that they just hate/fear anyone who’s different from them.
Tom.
Damn you type fast.
You stole my thunder. But like the editor here, I have no editorial pride if you make the point as well or better than I.
Vern – That was a compliment to you Brother!
You’re right Ken, no editorial pride whatsoever. 🙂
Spelling and Grammar notwithstanding, of course!
Awesome. I could not be happier with the ruling and the reasons behind the ruling.
Give the anti-gay bigots on here a break, they are still trying to adjust to interracial marriage.
This decision was a slam dunk, really.
Since prop 8 defined marriage between a man and a woman, and the judge has tossed that, what is the current definition of marriage?
I think currently there is no any authority for marriage in California.
So no couples can now marry, right?
oh really are american citizens treated differently when law breakers get to cut in line . and given priority over AMERICANS .like the dream act .. are americans treated the same when someone gets a job over another one because of their race .= aff action .. this lovefest that is going on here by a BUNCH OF COUGH , COUGH , PROGRESSIVE = AKA LIBS . has me laughing. AND KEN LAY . witch citizens should have rights. AMERICAN CITIZENS .. DO YOU FEEL THE SAME ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION . SHOULD THEY HAVE RIGHTS over american citizens .. .
If two gay men can marry then why not 3 women or 4 men?
You do not get the greater picture! This was not about equal rights. This was about the left wanting the norm (Marriage) to be OVERTURNED. Just as the left wants NO GOD, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL RULES.
This is a socialist agenda with a twist!
You are right about one thing, this is not about the judge, but the law! This is about taking the power away from the people and putting it in the hands of the ruling class.
The Cop is very right in AZ to state “The federal government has become the enemy”.
This will go to the Supreme court and hopefully the supreme count will rule as it should that Marriage is a contract that binds a man and a women together as a family unite to produce and nurture children. Marriage is not a tool to convince society that sexual habits are normal!
I think this will cause a lot of messy court battles!
Michelle,
I’ll give you a wide berth because of the screaming kids and because perhaps where you were educated they did not fully teach the meaning of the US Constitution.
The premise for today’s ruling had EVERYTHING to do with equality as provided under the law. This had nothing to do with the right or the left wanting anything. That is a byproduct.
Years before you emigrated her, they did not allow blacks and whites to marry. Eventually that was deemed unconstitutional. We are a nation of laws. We not like or agree with them but they are there for the protection of ALL OF US.
The sooner you realize that, the closer we’ll be in our disagreements.
The real agenda of the LDS which was a big sponsor of Prop. 8 may well be:
A marriage is between a man and women…
That’s your “socialist” agenda right there. Read up on history, in particular the history of the Church of LDS.
The question Vern is why are the majority viewed as Anti-everything? It’s because the majority of the people use logic and common sense. Political correctness is a disease inflicted on the left!
I know you feel that all your extreme views are shared by the majority, Michelle. Newsflash, they’re not.
Vern,
Michelle has forgotten already what happened to Bill Hunt in the primary election this year…
I suspect that it has never occurred to the screeching misanthropes and other usual suspects posting here that the Constitution was designed not only to avoid the tyranny of absolutism, but the tyranny of the masses as well.
I suspect as well that not one of them has actually read the ruling.
michell you know these libs . people like far left vern and pedroza . when they disagree with you . they call you ignorant , racist ,hater. tools of the left when they are wrong on issues .
Well Great One,
Since you mentioned it, I am pretty sure there are areas of the United States Constitution and its modern day interpretation that extend rights to those here illegally.
Victims of crime, for example, should be treated equally regardless of their citizenship.
A few years ago an article parodied the John and Ken Show. John’s son needed a liver, the only one available was from an “Anchor baby” (illegal alien child born here). If I can find it I’ll post it, because I dare say if it was your kid who needed an organ, or wanted to get married you’d be singing a different tune.
But I digress, Please explain how Seperate Is Equal under the US constitution.
“Constitution was designed not only to avoid the tyranny of absolutism, but the tyranny of the masses as well.”
MQ says:
“When a government is afraid of the people then there is freedom, when the people are afraid of the government then there is tyranny.”
Unlike YOU ww I trust the American people to make the right choice… I do not trust one guy with his own agenda. YOU are the left with a leftist agenda to control the masses using the law.
That is tyranny – The founders of this country architected the constitution so the people would have the power not the government and that includes activist judges. That is why a Republic was formed.
Again the government has become the enemy of the people and the courts the new weapon!
You see, Quinn just FEELS the meaning of the Constitution in her GUT. History, facts, book-learnin’ – all that’s just for sissies!
Every now and again we have to remind each other that she is unreachable. But never rule out that someone out there is reading these conversations and learning.
“Marriage is a contract that binds a man and a women together as a family unite to produce and nurture children”
Quinn,
What if a heterosexual couple decides that they want to marry but not have any children. Should they be prevented from marrying? If marriage is all about “producing” children as you claim then there are a lot of marriages that need to be voided.
“Years before you emigrated her, they did not allow blacks and whites to marry.”
MQ says:
Even if a man and woman are different races does not stop them from having children. Two penis does not a baby make.
You can come up with all the ridiculous nonsense about equality. A man and a woman form a marriage contract.. two men or two women do not!
This is just a left wing mess that will be a mess in the courts!
This is an attack on religious beliefs period!
20% liberal views in this country for a reason… eternal students, hollywood and rich guilty whites!
Like the cartels in Mexico, only a few dictators with power and money can do a lot of damage!
Quinn,
Again if as you claim marriage is all about procreation, should heterosexual couples who choose not to have children be forced to have their marriages dissolved?
“What if a heterosexual couple decides that they want to marry but not have any children. Should they be prevented from marrying? If marriage is all about “producing” children as you claim then there are a lot of marriages that need to be voided.”
MQ says:
Marriage was designed to eliminate bastards, whores and multiiple fathers!
A CONTRACT between two people (a man and a women) to foster a healthy environment!
The fact that a man and woman choose not to have children or are unable to have children and adopt does not hurt society!
The fact that a judge states that any Tom and dick can Marry is not very healthy for our society!
Again if two gay men can marry under some equal rights rule, then why can’t a woman marry her dog or a man marry his sister?
Everyone has the right to equal treatment right?
I agree that gays should have a union with all the legal rights of marriage but using the term Marriage is just not logical and will be a legal nightmare!
Yes, I did read the ruling, unlike the left, I never sign on the doted line just to go along with my peers!
“Marriage was designed to eliminate bastards, whores and multiiple fathers!”
Really Quinn? Where did you hear this little nugget of wisdom?
“using the term Marriage is just not logical and will be a legal nightmare!”
Please explain how a same sex couple marrying is a “legal nightmare”. For whom is it a “legal nightmare”? How is your life or the life of your family negatively impacted if a same sex couple marries?
“why can’t a woman marry her dog”
Quinn,
Why is it that you right wing extremists are so quick to jump to the beastiality card when talking about same sex marriage? Geez!!! Mike Tardif would just love you Michelle. That’s his favorite card to play too.
Tardif, Santorum, Chuck DeVore, Aaron Park, Terry Crowley, Michelle Quinn…
Maybe when they picture themselves with a same-sex partner, in their secretest fantasies, the next thing that occurs to their twisted minds is screwing the pooch.
Don’t forget to put everyone’s favorite closeted self loathing, footsie playing in the airport bathroom stall Republican Larry Craig in the mix.
By the way, nice to actually meet you last night for a brief moment at Fairness for All Families
What?? I met you and didn’t know it?
And I was looking around trying to figure out who “Kenlaysnotdead” is. I’d told him I was gonna be wearing my black fedora but I forgot and wore my big felt Uncle Sam hat instead.
And I must say it was a cool looking hat. Bought one exactly like that years ago at some outdoor concert festival. A friend of mine introduced me to you. I did want to tell you that I appreciate the writings on this blog comapred to that other blog that is nothing but a mere poseur (actually, there are two but they might as well be one in the same.) but there were many people I haven’t seen in awhile that I worked with in the No on 8 campaign.
I will probably see you again at the next DFA meeting when Judge Jim Gray will be speaking. I am not a member of DFA (nor a Democrat..I consider myself a small “l” libertarian with mutualist economic leanings…I like cooperatives) but I do like Judge Gray and will make damn sure that Prop 19 does not suffer the same fate as Prop 8 this November.
And thank you, Art and the gang for being the ONLY blog that has come out in support of Prop 19!
You know you guys are my ego booster!
Thanks!
🙂
I hope people are learning that conservative women are way cool and not all of us look like Barbara Bush! That bugs me how we are portrayed as total prudes and fragile!
Just an FYI
In the Wiki and it makes sense does it not!
It was also designed to give men excess to sex!
I forgot that tit bit!
Hey some people are in love with their dogs too! So why can’t they marry?
Good night kids!
Churches Sean!
Sorry Vern, I don’t dream of fannies or Rover… I do however have a secret fantasy which involves 300 buff guys!
🙂
All the gay lads out there are saying, “Yeah baby!”
FAR LEFT VERN MICHELLS EXTREME VIEWS ARE NOT SHARED BY THE MAJORITY .. I GUESS WHEN YOU WIN A ELECTION IN VERNS VIEW THE ONE WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF VOTES WINS .
Sort of like the Republican attitude about executive appointments, eh? I bet you’re just fine with that.
big difference rap they where appointed not voted on by the people . have you gone a pedroza on here kind of like linking illegal immigrants and immigrants together ..
Kind of like the two thirds majority needed to balance our CA budget…..Republican minorities are just fine then…….aren’t they great one?
Glad to see you unstuck your caps key……..keep that up and you better start stapling some tea bags onto your golf cap…….
It’s the constitution ……..the majority can’t strip rights from the minority.
FYI: A MUST READ.
“The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage”
By “a politically active, lifelong Republican, a veteran of the Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush administrations”
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/01/08/the-conservative-case-for-gay-marriage.html
gericault i bet you would like to overturn that wouldnt you . so your buddies can tx n spend some more for their big public union hacks .. those are not voters . . again you are mistaken voters for reps . dont burn the flag so much and say hi to george soros for me .
You’re gonna see Soros, Gericault? Will you tell him hi from Vern too and to please hurry up with my check? My rent is due…
OH AND GERICAULT .. WAY TO STACK THE DECK .. you got a gay judge to rule on a gay issue . how did his name come up for this case .. a spin of the wheel . its like having a taliban judge rule on taliban cliants in a case .
Wow, I met with George Soros and stacked the court with gay judges….cool.
I thought all I accomplished this week was to give a CM council candidate a “kiss of death”
great one….QUIT SHOUTING!
Vern, George says Hi.