Proposition 8

Proposition 8 Hearing Underway in Supreme Court

Update 8:30 a.m.: The Supreme Court blog is reporting that oral arguments are finished and that the Supreme Court will not make a ruling on same-sex marriage. If this is the case, the lower court's ruling stands and Prop 8 is invalidated. Update 8:24 a.m.: The Supreme Court blog is reporting that J ... More >>

Listen to the Prop. 8 Hearing (Audio)

If you've been dying to know exactly who said what at today's Supreme Court hearing of the Proposition 8 case, you're in luck. The court recently released the audio for all of us to enjoy. So grab some coffee, tea, or both, and listen to the blow-by-blow of what happened in this debate over gay ma ... More >>

Gay Marriage Advocates Ask Justice Antonin Scalia to Recuse Himself From Prop. 8 Deliberations

Earlier today, Justice Antonin Scalia made himself (in)famous among gays when he bluntly asked: "When did it became unconstitutional to exclude homosexual couples from marriage?" After a few back-and-forths with Ted Olson, the attorney representing the plaintiff's in the Proposition 8 case heard by ... More >>

Supreme Court to Hear Prop 8 Arguments Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the United States Supreme Court will begin hearing two cases that will decide the fate of same-sex marriage -- Prop 8 and DOMA. According to Buzzfeed, people have been lining up outside the Supreme Court since last Thursday, hoping to score a front-row seat for the landmark proceedings. ... More >>

Pro-Gay Marriage Republicans Continue to Emerge

Based on your position on gay marriage, yesterday was either like watching the end of Spartacus or a clip of lemmings jumping off a cliff. More than two dozen Republicans added their names to a brief imploring the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that laws banning same-sex marriage are unconstitutional, ... More >>

Meg Whitman, Republicans Sign Supreme Court Brief Supporting Gay Marriage -- Finally

At a time when stark partisanship has defined political debate, here's another sign that support for gay marriage is creeping into mainstream paradigm: A bunch of Republicans, including former California Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, have signed a brief declaring to the U.S. Supreme Court tha ... More >>

Dennis Herrera Presents City's Argument Against Prop. 8 in U.S. Supreme Court Brief

"Asserting the inferiority of same-sex couples was the purpose and effect of Proposition 8," City Attorney Dennis Herrera states in a brief filed today in the U.S. Supreme Court. "But relegating gay couples to a lesser status simply to brand them as different and less worthy than opposite-sex couple ... More >>

Prop. 8: Supreme Court Sets Date to Hear Case on Gay Marriage

Consider this your very own "save the date." The U.S. Supreme Court this morning said that oral arguments will begin on March 26 for the much-anticipated Proposition 8 case, which will finally bring some closure to the gay marriage debate that started right here in California over four years ago. ... More >>

Proposition 8: U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear Appeal on Gay Marriage (Update)

Update 2:10 p.m.: City Supervisors respond to U.S. Supreme Court decision on Prop. 8. Read at the bottom Original story 12:29 p.m.: The U.S. Supreme Court just announced that it will review the federal constitutional challenge to Proposition 8, California's ban on gay marriage, as well as the Def ... More >>

Proposition 8: Supreme Court Takes No Action on Gay Marriage

The LGBT community remained unresolved this morning when the Supreme Court didn't take any action on Proposition 8, California's ban on gay marriage. Since last week, San Francisco has been anxiously awaiting the court's decision on whether it will hear the Prop 8. appeal. But today, the court took ... More >>

Prop.8: U.S. Supreme Court Considers Whether to Hear Gay Marriage Case

Update 12:40 p.m.: No action on gay marriage from the court today. The justices did not pick up any of those cases at their meeting this morning, SCOTUSblog reported. So, for all those who are hosting a Supreme Court Gay Marriage Case Announcement party, you'll need more ice and maybe some sleeping ... More >>

"Question One": Maine's Gay-Marriage Battle

Prop. 8 Might Not Go Before the Supreme Court

​Earlier this month, the debate over same-sex marriage in California continued what some have speculated is an inexorable march to the U.S. Supreme Court, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a decision striking down Proposition 8, the state's gay-marriage ban.Yet a story pu ... More >>

Prop. 8 Appeals Court Ruling: Inside the Dissenting Opinion

​Same-sex marriage advocates rejoiced today as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker's 2010 decision that Proposition 8, the 2008 California ballot initiative banning gay marriage, is unconstitutional.The decision is almost certainly destine ... More >>

Gay Couples Can't Get Married ... Still

Nope​There will be no white weddings for gay couples -- at least not yet. A San Francisco federal court ruled today that same-sex marriages would not be allowed while courts decide whether Proposition 8 -- the state's ban on gay marriage -- is constitutional or not. It's another blow for same-sex ... More >>

Imperial County Clerk Wants to Defend Prop 8 Appeal

Hold the cake.​Imperial County Clerk Chuck Storey is attempting to sign onto the legal challenge to Judge Vaughn Walker's decision last year that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. Storey submitted a brief today to the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco asking for the ability to defend Pr ... More >>

Gay Couples to Stage City Hall Sit-In to Celebrate Valentine's Day

Love hurts​For many San Francisco gay couples, Valentine's Day is just a bitter reminder of what they don't have -- marriage certificates. So expect a huge turnout at San Francisco City Hall for the hallmark holiday today; gay couples across the nation will celebrate their love with a little civil ... More >>

New Year Brings Us The Same Ol' Gay Hot Potato: Marriage

Bring In The Gays​Where did we leave off?  In December, a (sort of) repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell was passed by the Senate and signed by the President. I predicted a long, slow and agonizing death of the policy while John McCain lamented the end of DADT saying that soldiers will lose their l ... More >>

The Year in Gay, 2010 Edition

What a year it was​Who Will Be The Uppity Fag Of The Year?Let's face it -- this was a messy, messy year for the gays. Much of the news was good, ultimately, but shit dragged on! There were three major federal trials (four, technically -- but two were sorta merged in Massachusetts), promises ... More >>

Prop. 8 Trial: The Live Blog

The big day has arrived...​Check back often for frequent updatesMonday, 12:05 a.m.: This is it, folks: the big day for Prop. 8 at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Lawyers for both sides get just two hours to make their cases this morning, and we're going to be on the scene to report about how it ... More >>

Judge Stephen Reinhardt Won't Recuse Himself From Prop. 8 Trial

Harvard Law SchoolJudge Stephen Reinhardt says he'll be there for the Dec. 6 Prop. 8 trial​Judge Stephen Reinhardt has spurned a motion that he recuse himself from adjudicating over the pending 9th Circuit Court of Appeal review of Proposition 8.Supporters of the same-sex marriage ban contended th ... More >>

Appeal the Prop. 8 Decision!

It'd be a shame if the reversal of Prop. 8 didn't have national implications...​There was talk on Monday that a "group of conservative leaders" were chasing around Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado, begging him to file an appeal on the Proposition 8 decision, since he was acting as governor while ... More >>

Supreme Court Rules State Not Required to Appeal Prop. 8 Ruling

​The California Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a right-wing group's suit that would have compelled the state to appeal Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. Both Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown have come down in favor of Walker's ruling ... More >>

Bouncer: At the Lone Palm, mulling Prop. 8 and dead German tourists

Prop. 8 Stay Granted -- No Gay Marriage Wednesday

Calibree PhotographyMaybe next year, lads​The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals moments ago granted a stay of Judge Vaughn Walker's Aug. 4 ruling overturning Proposition 8 -- meaning there will be no same-sex marriages on Wednesday. The appeal was granted "sua sponte" -- meaning it was not made in rega ... More >>

What a Week in Gay it Was!

Photo illustration | Audrey FukumanJudge Vaughn Walker gave Prop. 8 the pimp slap​Seriously, this was one mother fu**ing gay week! Can I hear a what what?You may have heard that Vaughn Walker, the gayest judge in the world -- even gayer than Supreme Court's new softball coach, Justice Elena Ka ... More >>

Jerry Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger Say Let the Gays Marry -- Now

Jerry Brown says: Go get married!​Update: You're never going to believe this, but, at 4:59 p.m. the City and County of San Francisco also filed a motion urging the stay be lifted! Attorney General Jerry Brown has filed a motion with Judge Vaughn Walker requesting that no stay be placed on the ruli ... More >>

Prop. 8 Backers Cover Their Asses

​Those reading the tea leaves prior to Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling in the Proposition 8 trial this afternoon may want to pay attention to this large lump: The anti-gay marriage defendants in the case late yesterday filed a motion to stay the judgment pending an appeal.What this means: The defense ... More >>

Prop. 8 Ruling: Judge Vaughn Walker's Most Scathing Language

MlinksvaJudge Vaughn Walker's greatest hits...​READ PROP. 8 ANALYSIS HEREA collection of Judge Vaughn Walker's most pointed statements from today's ruling: During closing arguments, proponents again focused on the contention that "responsible procreation is really at the heart of society's interes ... More >>

Prop. 8 Overturned: Hey Obama! Read the Ruling!

Gabor GardonyiGlory, glory hallelujah! ​ Today, Judge Vaughn walker drove a stake into the heart of Prop 8. And then he pounded the stake with a sledge hammer. And then he jumped up and down on it.Victorious lawyers Ted Olson and David Bois summarized Walker's decision at a press confere ... More >>

Baylinks: Proposition 8, Pigeons, & Alcohol Fee

​Mayor Gavin Newsom responds to Prop. 8 ruling [cbs5]Meanwhile, city pigeons rejoice at Prop. 8 announcement [Uptown Almanac]If only these signs had been allowed in the courtroom [Mission Mission]

The Week in Gay: Prop 8 Trial Slam Dunk! Elton is worse than we thought! San Francisco attacked by bad gay films!

In the movies​Last night the Frameline34 film festival celebrated opening night with a premiere at the Castro Theater followed by booze and wine and liquor and drinks and dancing out in the avenues. Of course, not all of the films are bad...some of them have promise. Closing night features Jame ... More >>

Studies: EQCA's plan to repeal Prop 8 will fail

Has a posse​ Patrick J. Egan Ph.D. released a study Wednesday called "Findings from a Decade of Polling on Ballot Measures Regarding the Legal Status of Same-Sex Couples" that shows how a multi-million dollar campaign to repeal Prop 8 at the ballot box is unnecessary and likely to be unsuccessful ... More >>

Signs of a Bad Day: You're Accused of Using Dog Hair as a Weapon

​San Franciscans are rarely shy about airing their grievances in public -- which is probably why, following the passage of Prop. 8, we had an enormous "Fuck Mormons" banner slung across the front of one local home. (Subtlety, apparently, is not one of our strong points.) This house, located in the ... More >>

Explained: The Clusterfuck That Lost the Proposition 8 Campaign

​During testimony, filings, and deliberations in the Proposition 8 trial, an unasked question reverberated through the federal courthouse in San Francisco: Why, exactly, are we here?A step outside into the reality of still separate and unequal California provided an answer: An inept anti-Prop. 8 c ... More >>

This Week at the Prop. 8 Trial

What do you mean Prop. 8 is biased?​ ​ For those who want the short and sweet of the ongoing trial meant to determine whether Prop. 8 violates the right to equal protection under the Constitution of the United States, here's a handy summary of what went on this week -- ... More >>

You Won't Be Watching Prop. 8 Trial on YouTube -- So Why Not Just Show Up at the Courthouse?

This Black Friday line is apparently way worse than anything Prop. 8 trial attendees are facing ​Supporters of same-sex marriage were dealt a blow by yesterday's Supreme Court ruling (5-4 -- get used to this...) keeping cameras out of the ongoing Proposition 8 trial. But, for San Franciscans, ther ... More >>

The Prop. 8 Trial -- Is Anyone Making a Buck Off It?

Al Dinet, in the foreground, and Don Goodwin say the intensely covered Prop. 8 trial hasn't led to any additional folks heading into their favorite watering hole​Proponents of same-sex marriage maintain that the ongoing Proposition 8 trial at San Francisco's Federal Courthouse could be a historica ... More >>

Prop. 8 Trial Roundup: Gay Couples Don't Want To Be 'Glorified Roommates'

​A roundup of the action on Day One of the Proposition 8 trial at San Francisco's Federal Courthouse.The attorney for the Prop. 8 backers argues: "Marriage is essentially the sexual embodiment of the man and the woman who formed the marital union." Did this guy not get the news that marriage is th ... More >>

Maine Setback Won't Deter Californians Seeking Prop. 8 Repeal in 2010 -- Unless it Does

Bad day for cake yesterday​For those who support same-sex marriage, yesterday's defeat in Maine was both a head-scratcher and a stomach-punch. The "No on 1" campaign was well-run, well-financed, not hamstrung by, say, the mayor of Bangor crowing about "whether you like it or not," and a huge perce ... More >>

Local Dems' Prop. 8 War Chest Hits $245,000, Still Growing. When Will It Be Spent?

These lads may have a nice dowry by 2012​Despite a prominent pro-gay-marriage group's suggestion that activists wait until 2012 to try to repeal Proposition 8, San Francisco's Democratic County Central Committee is moving full steam ahead with fund-raising efforts for the campaign. In fact, the DC ... More >>

Local Democratic Party Pours $125,000 into Same-Sex Marriage Campaign

Untie me. I wanna write a checkWe marveled here a few weeks ago at the large amounts of money being raised in an off-election year by the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee. According to campaign finance reports filed with the California Secretary of State's office, the DCCC raked in ... More >>

Haven't Figured Out What To Do Following Prop. 8 Ruling? Make Your Plans Here.

Unless you've already got thee to a nunnery or are residing in a cave without WiFi access, you know that the state supreme court will rule at 10 a.m. today on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 -- which did away with same-sex marriage. Rest assured, SF Weekly will have reporters deployed throug ... More >>

CA Supreme Court Upholds Prop. 8, But Also 18K Gay Marriages

The Supreme Court voted 6-1 to uphold Prop. 8, the November ballot initiative banning same-sex marriages. That's not exactly a surprise, considering the flavor of the questions from the justices during oral arguments a couple of months ago. It was more unclear what the justices would do about the 18 ... More >>

Gay Marriage Fail: The Twittersphere Responds to Prop. 8 Ruling

Twitter's Fail WhaleWe've been live-tweeting the Prop. 8 happenings over at @SF_Weekly for the past few hours but have also been keeping a close eye on the response from our fellow twits. Here's a sampling of the mixed (but predictable) sentiments: @roxaloxa: California fails, sad day. @ginatrapa ... More >>

Prop 8 Advocates: Grandfathering Gay Marriages Akin to Letting Landowners Keep Slaves After Abolition

One problematic book.Press releases gloating over today's California Supreme Court 6-1 decision upholding the constitutionality of Prop 8 (and lamenting the grandfathering in of marriages already performed) have poured from Prop 8 proponents into the inboxes of the media. ... More >>

Should Gay Marriage Supporters Go to The Ballot In 2010 or 2012?

At this point it seems like a given that California voters will consider the issue of same-sex marriage in the near future. The strategic question being asked by leaders in the gay community is whether an initiative undoing Prop. 8 would have a better chance of passing next year or in three years. ... More >>

A Bad Case of Loving You

Dance, Dance: It's the Revolution!