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Oral Arguments To Commence Tuesday in Ninth Circuit Court Over Prop 8 Campaign Documents Monday, 11/30/09
Unite the Fight

Tomorrow in Pasadena, CA, both sides on the federal challenge to Proposition 8 will present oral arguments to the Ninth Circuit Court panel on whether Defendants, who are defending Proposition 8, should hand over internal campaign documents.

[Read the article or read more articles from Unite the Fight.]

Some gays seek renewed focus on civil unions Monday, 11/30/09
365Gay

Dan Hawes, the head organizer for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, agrees that it makes sense to seek even limited legal protections in states where gay people have none, but disagrees that fighting for marriage has detracted from that work.

"It's not that these fights are mutually exclusive of each other, so that's why we don't think it makes sense to negotiate against ourselves," Hawes said.

State Sen. Ed Murray, a gay Democrat who led the three-year push to introduce and expand Washington's domestic partnership laws, said he had little support from national organizations that thought he was settling for less than full equality. Murray says he still regards marriage as the ultimate goal, but has no regrets about taking an incremental approach.

"We knew we had families who needed immediate help and wanted to give relief to families who needed it while building support in the Legislature on the way to marriage," he said.

[Read the article or read more articles from 365Gay.]

Twittering for Proposition 8 repeal Friday, 11/27/09
PinkPaper

"SignForEquality.com will make history by using custom social-networking tools, as well as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, to support an all-volunteer signature drive to repeal Prop 8," said Love Honor Cherish Executive Director John Henning. "People throughout California can now help us win marriage back by the simple act of signing and collecting signatures."

The Web site features a downloadable petition form and training videos for signature gatherers, and uses social-networking technology to help gatherers set goals, build teams and find signature-gathering events, Henning said.

[Read the article or read more articles from PinkPaper.]

Gay on Trial: Why more than marriage is at stake in the federal legal challenge to Prop. 8. Tuesday, 11/24/09
American Prospect

Perry v. Schwarzenegger indeed asks the "ultimate question" of whether gays have a federal right to marry, but because the case is alleging that Prop. 8 violated the equal-protection clause of the U.S. Constitution, the federal court decision will have implications for gay Americans in nearly every arena of public life, from housing to parenting to military service. The court is set to consider questions as wide-ranging as what it means to be gay and whether it affects one's contribution to society. It's not just marriage rights on trial; it's homosexuality itself.

Organizations like Lambda and the ACLU may have had their reservations about bringing the case so soon, but the groups grudgingly attempted to join Olson's federal challenge because it will have such widespread implications. However, Northern California District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled in August that their interests were already represented and barred all groups except for the San Francisco city attorney's office from entering the suit. This leaves Boies and Olson at the helm of the largest gay-rights case to date.

[Read the article or read more articles from American Prospect.]

Prop 8 Proponents Get Out of Handing Over Campaign Documents . . . For Now Monday, 11/23/09
Unite the Fight

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeal granted a stay on Judge Walker's orders of discovery and gave the defendants until 5pm today, November 23, to file briefs on the merits of their appeal.

There's got to be something good in these documents. Prop 8 proponents are doing everything in their power and taking all avenues to avoid having to turn these documents over.

[Read the article or read more articles from Unite the Fight.]

Extreme Right Wing Group Denied Intervention in Federal Challenge to Prop 8 Saturday, 11/21/09
Unite the Fight

The Campaign for California Families (CCF) is the rival to the Yes on 8 folks, but they're even more extreme in their beliefs, not only believing that same-sex marriage should be illegal but also any sort of recognition of gay relationships whatsoever.

CCF attempted to intervene on Strauss vs. Horton, which the Yes on 8 folks opposed, and they were denied. Then on August 19 they tried to intervene on Perry vs. Schwarzenneger (aka Prop 8 case), but Judge Walker denied their motion. They appealed to the 9th Circuit Court and appeared in a hearing earlier this month.

The Recorder reported that the panel's judges appeared unsympathetic to CCF's Attorney Staver's attempt to identify CCF's particular interest as a proposed Perry party. Staver argued "that the official Prop 8 forces weren't adequately litigating the case and had stipulated away far too many facts" about gays and lesbians.

[Read the article or read more articles from Unite the Fight.]

Hate Crimes Down in Los Angeles County With One Exception.... Friday, 11/20/09
The Stranger

Gay people sure are violent--just look at how we're always throwing our faces at the fists of gay bashers and how we make conservative religious people look bad by forcing them to strip us of our civil rights. How do we sleep at night?

[Read the article or read more articles from The Stranger.]

Judge Walker orders production of campaign documents by official Prop. 8 propnents Friday, 11/20/09
Prop 8 Legal Commentary

Among other things, Judge Walker admonished Prop. 8 proponents that his previous discovery orders, while being appealed to the Ninth Circuit, remain in effect because the appellate court has not issued a stay. Thus, Prop. 8 proponents risk contempt of the court if they continue to withhold production.

[Read the article or read more articles from Prop 8 Legal Commentary.]

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to Testify in Proposition 8 Trial Friday, 11/20/09
Unite the Fight

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera made it known today that Mayor Sanders will testify in the first marriage trial ever - the federal challenge to Proposition 8 helmed by the Olson/Boies team.

[Read the article or read more articles from Unite the Fight.]

Strife hits amid Prop 8 repeal effort Friday, 11/20/09
Bay Area Reporter

Despite the concerns, in a conference call with reporters on Monday, November 16, Henning said that if backers get their measure on the ballot, "We absolutely do feel we'll be able to reunify the community around this issue."

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights who was a member of No on 8's executive committee, said in an interview, "I want see Prop 8 repealed, and if we could repeal it tomorrow or if we could've done it last month, I would have been fully supportive of that."

However, Kendell also said that she's worried that "we have not yet done the work" necessary to win repeal "and time is bearing down on us with very little possibility that that work can happen in the deep and muscular way it needs to between now and next November."

[Read the article or read more articles from Bay Area Reporter.]

Same-sex marriage: Coming to a ballot near you? Wednesday, 11/18/09
SF Gate

No less than five initiatives have been cleared for takeoff by the Secretary of State's office. All five would repeal the current provision in California's Constitution that limits marriages to between a man and a woman; and they all include a clause that would exempt clergy persons from having to perform a marriage ceremony if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.

All five take aim at Prop. 8, approved by the voters last November, which amended the California Constitution to define marriage as a union of a man and a woman. The measure overturned a May 2008 state Supreme Court ruling that granted gays and lesbians the right to marry their chosen partners.

[Read the article or read more articles from SF Gate.]

Judge orders compensation for gay couple denied benefits Wednesday, 11/18/09
LA Times

A federal judge today ordered compensation for a Los Angeles couple denied spousal benefits by the federal government because they are gay men.

U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt deemed the denial of healthcare and other benefits to the spouse of federal public defender Brad Levenson to be a violation of the Constitution's guarantee of due process and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, which is prohibited by California state law.

[Read the article or read more articles from LA Times.]

Proposition 8 2010 Repeal Supporters, Not Swayed by Criticism, Explain Strategy Behind the Five Initiatives Submitted Wednesday, 11/18/09
Unite the Fight

After the devastating defeat in Maine, the fundamentalist pundits claimed that it was a sign Americans were not ready for legalized same-sex marriage, despite the many advances in Iowa and New England. Unfortunately, contrary to what the politicians say, legislators in both New York and New Jersey appear to have taken a cue from what happened in Maine and are dragging their heels on voting for proposed marriage equality legislation in their respective states.

Currently, the District of Columbia shines as the one bright spot in the nation with its marriage equality bill predicted to pass before the end of the year, despite the Archdiocese of Washington threatening to end Catholic charities if marriage equality is legalized in the jurisdiction.

Amongst these developments, Love Honor Cherish (LHC), the California based LGBT grassroots group leading the charge for a 2010 Proposition 8 repeal, announced Monday the launch of the signature gathering campaign for its ballot initiative. Alongside the announcement, it kicked off the social site and online campaign hub, Sign For Equality.

[Read the article or read more articles from Unite the Fight.]

Website Launched for Volunteer-Based Signature Gathering Campaign for 2010 Prop 8 Repeal Tuesday, 11/17/09
Unite the Fight

Love Honor Cherish (LHC) the grassroots group leading the charge for a 2010 initiative to restore marriage equality in California, has today launched SignForEquality.com, a social site that will be the hub for the volunteer-based signature gathering campaign to put the Prop 8 repeal on the 2010 ballot.

[Read the article or read more articles from Unite the Fight.]

Signature Drive Launched for 'Repeal Prop 8' 2010 Ballot Measure Monday, 11/16/09
Towleroad

Sign for Equality "features a downloadable petition form and training videos for signature gatherers, and uses unique social networking technology to help gatherers set goals, build teams, and find signature gathering events," according to the organizers.

[Read the article or read more articles from Towleroad.]

Hate Crimes Against LGBT-Americans and Jews Rose In California in 2008 Sunday, 11/15/09
Lez Get Real

Hate crimes against LGBT-Americans have more to do with the push for marriage equality rather than economics. When it comes to civil rights pushes, there tends to be a push back irregardless of economic situation. Often times, those perpetrating hate crimes often seek to punish the minority trying to gain equality. This is usually meant to make sure that the group caves in on its demands regarding equality and silently slinks back into the shadows.

All statistics are those released by the office of California Attorney General Jerry Brown.

[Read the article or read more articles from Lez Get Real.]

Hearing on discovery in Perry v. Schwarzenneger: comments by anonymous reader of this site Sunday, 11/15/09
Prop 8 Legal Commentary

As for what Walker's up to, bear in mind that he's a tough nut to predict, if not crack, at times.

That caution aside, Walker's determination to get this case on its way to the Ninth Circuit quickly and with a fulsome record is classic Walkerism. He has rather odd habits, however, of trying to corral parties to get to trial without definitively disposing of motions that most judges just rule on.

He very much wants to dispose of the First Amendment privilege claims now. Enough so, that he's tentatively embraced a piecemeal approach. Seems weird, frankly, but Walker's habits include indulging an intransigent party's odd procedural desires if it moves the case over some hurdle.

[Read the article or read more articles from Prop 8 Legal Commentary.]

Ballot Language to repeal Prop 8 will be approved by next week Thursday, 11/12/09
Examiner

The Attorney General will issue title and summary for the ballot language aimed at repealing Proposition 8 in California no later than Tuesday November 17. As soon as the approval is given, the Restore Equality 2010 campaign will have 150 days to collect approximately 700,000 valid pen and ink signatures by voters registered in California.

[Read the article or read more articles from Examiner.]

AMA votes to seek repeal of 'don't ask,don't tell' Thursday, 11/12/09
AP

The American Medical Association on Tuesday voted to oppose the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and declared that gay marriage bans contribute to health disparities.

The nation's largest doctors' group stopped short of saying it would seek to overturn marriage bans, but its new stance angered conservative activists and provides a fresh boost to lobbying efforts by gay-rights advocates.

"It's highly significant that the AMA as one of this country's leading professional associations has taken a position on both of these issues," said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a Washington-based advocacy group.

The health disparities measure "in the long run, will certainly help efforts to win marriage equality," Carey said.

[Read the article or read more articles from AP.]

The Democratic National Committee Boycott: Count Me In Wednesday, 11/11/09
Box Turtle Bulletin

Frustration is boiling over concerning the Democratic Party's ongoing neglect of LGBT issues. The latest insult to injury? The Democratic National Committee and Organizing for America set emails to Mainers urging them to vote, but didn't ask them to vote against Question 1. In fact, the email didn't mention Question 1 at all. The DNC then sent another email urgently asking Mainers to get involved right away in ... wait for it ... New Jersey!

When John Averosis at AmericaBlog contacted the DNC about the emails, he got the classic run-around. They first denied targeting Mainers to help with the New Jersey gubernatorial election, and then admitted that they lied about it.

This is just the latest in a long list of grievances and slights that have been building up since last November. That's why several bloggers led by Avarosis and Joe Sudbay at AmericaBlog are banding together for a "Don't Ask, Don't Give" campaign to urge doners to stop donating to the DNC.

[Read the article or read more articles from Box Turtle Bulletin.]

Fundraising campaign launched to restore gay marriage in California Sunday, 11/08/09
Pink News

The launch was announced yesterday at rallies in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Fresno.

Organised by Yes! on Equality and TruthandHope.org, in collaboration with Restore Equality 2010, the goal of the Million for a Million campaign is to raise the $1 million necessary to fund getting the more than one million signatures needed to place a marriage equality initiative on the ballot.

However, Equality California, another gay marriage group, has recommended that efforts should be focused on getting the issue on the ballot for 2012 rather than 2010, saying that the battle for hearts and minds can be solidly won within this timeframe.

[Read the article or read more articles from Pink News.]

Gay Democratic Fund-raiser Says Money Should Only Support Candidates Who Back Equality Saturday, 11/07/09
Open Secrets

Once named the most powerful gay man in America by Newsweek, David Mixner is angered by the hands-off approach of President Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee concerning a failed ballot measure in Maine that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry. He says he's also troubled by Obama not quickly fulfilling his campaign promises regarding rights for gays and lesbians.

Mixner now thinks it's time to use the power of the purse to influence lawmakers.

"How can we allow people to dehumanize our relationships and our very integrity if we give people passes to sit out the battle for our very freedom?" Mixner wrote on his blog Thursday. "No longer are political timelines a reason for delay, no longer are incremental approaches acceptable and no longer can the political process expect us to be patient and wait our turn.

"If we support people who are against full equality, how can we expect others to do differently?" he continued. "No more excuses. Stop it. Close the checkbooks to those who are not fully on our side."

[Read the article or read more articles from Open Secrets.]

Oldest State Was "Test Run" for Repealing Prop 8 Saturday, 11/07/09
Beyond Chron

I don't blame "No on 1" for what they did, because responding to the "gay marriage in schools" ad was better than letting it fester. But next time, there needs to be a serious discussion about how to address the inevitable attacks that our hateful and vicious opponents clearly have no shame hurling at us. A good friend - who is a former teacher - sent the following e-mail yesterday, offering me some helpful advice for the future:

We have to hit the school issue hard and unrelentingly. It isn't enough to just run the kind of ads they ran in Maine to address that issue. We need to actively promote LGBT education in the schools. Talk about Lawrence King, the high suicide rate, and really press the point that the kind of 'education' we have in the schools now is killing LGBT kids. We also need to trumpet the extensive research that shows that kids of LGBT parents turn out fine and the obvious fact that learning that being LGBT is okay won't make you gay.

[Read the article or read more articles from Beyond Chron.]

Expect Calif. Same-Sex Marriage Case to Stay Two-Party Affair Saturday, 11/07/09
Law.com

Staver's appeal put the official Yes on 8 campaign in a bit of an awkward position, since it has tried to position itself as a defender of traditional marriage -- but not hateful or insensitive. But for purposes of defending against Staver's appeal, it had to show how many facts it was ready to contest, some of which are deeply offensive to same-sex marriage advocates.

[Read the article or read more articles from Law.com.]

Voters oppose putting gay marriage back on the ballot, Times/USC poll finds Saturday, 11/07/09
LA Times

Overall, 51% of California voters favored marriage rights for same-sex couples and 43% were opposed. Strikingly, however, almost 60% of Californians did not want to revisit the issue in 2010, just one election cycle after it last hit the ballot.

[Read the article or read more articles from LA Times.]

VIDEO: Amazing New Marriage Equality Ads Launched in New Jersey Wednesday, 11/04/09
Unite the Fight

Last night, New Jersey voted pro-marriage equality governor John Corzine out of the office and replaced him with anti-LGBT Chris Christie.

So what? Garden State Equality (GSE) has launched two new marriage equality ads today. The New Jersey legislature is poised to pass a marriage equality bill that Corzine has promised to sign during his lame duck session, and GSE is prepared.

[Read the article or read more articles from Unite the Fight.]

Petition to President Obama Wednesday, 11/04/09
Equality California

The Obama administration was absent in yet another critical fight for the soul of our nation. His failure to speak out forcibly against Question 1 in Maine is unacceptable. Sign our petition. Then, ask everyone you know to do the same.

[Read the article or read more articles from Equality California.]

Maine, Obama and the LGBT Community Wednesday, 11/04/09
David Mixner

President Obama and his team were zero help in this critical battle and in the last week might actually have hurt us. That is a fact.

Despite repeated pleas for assistance from this community from the start of the campaign, he chose to ignore every opportunity to grant us such relief. At the recent Human Rights Campaign dinner he never said the word "Maine" once. The most we were able to get out of the White House office of communications was that he was opposed to such efforts. Try weaving that into a powerful ad or robo-calling!

However, practicing benign neglect was not the end of it. This past week, Eric Holder, the Attorney General of the United States in the state of Maine said that this administration had no position on the ballot measure. Read that sentence again carefully. Our nation's chief law enforcement officer and the president's hand picked choice said that the issue was just not that important to this administration! Now don't be fooled by any rhetoric that presidents don't take stands on such issues. Going back as far as President Carter when he opposed Proposition Six, they have taken such stands.

[Read the article or read more articles from David Mixner.]

No on 1/Protect Maine Equality: Anti-Gay Yes on 1 Increasing TV Ads in Maine Monday, 11/02/09
Straight Talk on Marriage

No on 1: The opposition to marriage equality is increasing its TV ad buy by $25,000. $25,000 buys a lot of TV ads in Maine. We need to stand up and match every one of their lies with an ad of our own, that explains that marriage equality won't do anything to families but protect all of them. Please donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/noon1redalert

[Read the article or read more articles from Straight Talk on Marriage.]

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