Vaughn Walker

Judge Not

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 >>

It Doesn't Matter That Judge Vaughn Walker Is Gay

You can be gay and impartial​At least that's what a federal judge decided today. Chief U.S. District Judge James Ware ruled on Tuesday that there is no proof that Judge Vaughn Walker, who last year struck down the state's ban on gay marriage, would benefit from his own ruling. Walker only recently ... More >>

Judge Vaughn Walker Admits He Is Gay

Gay!​As if he hadn't riled up opponents of same-sex marriage enough, Judge Vaughn Walker on Wednesday publicly announced that he is indeed gay. Already an icon in the gay community, the retired judge, who ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, reportedly told a group of reporters that he has been i ... 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 >>

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 >>

Judges Named For Prop. 8 Hearing

​A liberal, a conservative, and a moderate. An old guy, a middle-aged guy, and a sorta young guy. Sounds like the makings for a road-trip comedy. Could be. But it's definitely the composition for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' Dec. 6 hearing of the Proposition 8 case, which could determine the ... More >>

The Gay Gratitude List

Oh happy day...​The Week in GayIn recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday and the importance of the acknowledgment that things aren't all that bad (or maybe they are and we need to stop and smell the roses) I offer a list of events and persons worthy of gratitude.For example: Skating with the Star ... More >>

Prop. 8 Judge Vaughn Walker to Teach at U.C. Berkeley Law School

Vaughn Walker, reimagined as a pimp. This is not a real photo.​Vaughn Walker, the federal judge who in August delivered a landmark ruling affirming the right of same-sex couples in California to marry, will begin teaching a class at U.C. Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law after he retires at the ... More >>

Vaughn Walker, Prop. 8 Judge, Announces Retirement

Judge Vaughn Walker is out ... of the building​Vaughn Walker, the Republican-appointed judge loathed in the LGBT community for much of his career -- who went on to strike down California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 -- has announced he's hanging up his robes. Walker will give up the mantle of ... 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 >>

Don't Ask Don't Tell Told Off

​The Week In GayLate yesterday, another radical hippie judge in California ruled that queers are protected by the U.S. Constitution. A lawsuit against the military ban on gay service members, Don't Ask Don't Tell, was ruled to be a violation of the First Amendment rights of gay people. The suit wa ... 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 >>

Kenny Mehlman is a Fudgepacker: The Week in Gay

Oh my god, they killed the right-wing Kenny. ​ Ken Mehlman must be in love. Why else would he subject himself to the slings and arrows of the gay universe and come out of the closet? Isn't that wonderful? Aren't you happy for him? It's a theory that's not too far fetched. In an interview with The ... More >>

Parking-Wise, S.F. Smarter Than NYC, Economist Says

Matt SmithIt's getting crowded in here​When it comes to parking at least, San Francisco is smarter than the Big Apple. That's not just local boosterism. It's the conclusion of an east coast economist writing in the New York Times.San Francisco may be the worst-run big city in America. New York may ... More >>

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 >>

The Gay Marriage Waiting Game - The Week in Gay

Joe EskenaziLuis Juarbe, facing camera, and Mike Reardon will just have to wait a little longer...​This week was full of more of damn waiting. Just like last week. Last week we waited for Judge Vaughn Walker to decide that Prop. 8 was a piece of anti-American trash. This week we had to wait to fin ... More >>

Torturer's Apprentice John Yoo Says It's Constitutional to Ban Gay Marriage

John Yoo​You gotta hand it to John Yoo, the former Bush Administration attorney who provided a legal rationale for torturing prisoners of war. It must be tough being an anti-human-rights playa in the midst of Collectivist Berkeley, where Yoo is a professor of -- wait for it -- constitutional law. ... More >>

Bookie Site Lays Odds on Same-Sex Marriage

​The folks who will allow you to bet on anything -- really, anything -- are at it again. YouWager.com is laying odds on how many same-sex marriages there will be in California next week: How many marriage licenses will be issued in California the first week starting August 18th 2010 **Wager is for ... More >>

Judge Vaughn Walker May Lift Stay on Prop. 8 Ruling Today; Crowds Gather at City Hall

What'll it be today, Judge Vaughn Walker?​A number of would-be same-sex married couples are already gathering at San Francisco's City Hall, anticipating Judge Vaughn Walker may lift the stay on his ruling overturning Proposition 8 -- which would trigger a same-sex marriage bonanza. A ruling from W ... More >>

Judge Refuses to Halt Gay Weddings - But Don't Celebrate Yet

Rod Wood and Roger Hunt, ready to wed.​UPDATE (12:45 pm): Hold everything. Now we're told that the judge's ruling doesn't go into effect until Aug. 18. There's a press conference being held now to explain the ramifications of the latest decision. We'll update you when we know more.   UPDATE ( ... More >>

Prop. 8 Overturned: Ecstasy and Agony at City Hall

It's uncertain when Rod Wood and Roger Hunt will use these wedding rings.​No guarantee same-sex couples can wed next week, when Prop. 8 is officially overturnedFor 10 whole minutes, Thom Watson was a happy man. The 30-odd same-sex couples crammed into a balmy corridor of City Hall awaiting the wor ... More >>

Vaughn Walker's Choice to Delay Gay Marriage Praised by Legal Scholars

'Judge Walker is not a dummy...'​Judge Vaughn Walker's decision today to officially overturn Proposition 8 -- but stay that action until next week -- left a lot of same-sex couples statewide feeling like the rug had been pulled out from under them. The knowledge that their marriages were delayed a ... More >>

Judge Vaughn Walker Targeted for Impeachment

Judge Vaugn Walker is not universally popular these days​ In an effort to undermine his Prop. 8 ruling, the American Family Association is leading a campaign to impeach Judge Vaughn Walker. The right-leaning pro-family organization states in a letter on its website that Walker should not have been ... 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 Ruling: Literature and Strategy

​UPDATE: APPEAL FILED THIS MORNINGThe multitudes who took to the streets yesterday to either celebrate or denigrate Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling overturning Prop. 8 in many ways resembled the millions of tipplers worldwide who lift a glass on Bloomsday -- but would never dream of reading Ulysses. ... More >>

Jurist, Teabagger, Porn King: The Ravings of Conservative Nutjobs Against Vaughn Walker

Photo illustration | Audrey FukumanRight-wing loons likened Judge Vaughn Walker to a porn impresario​U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker's decision overturning Proposition 8 is, by the reckoning of most sensible observers, a masterpiece of judicial prose and reasoning. As such, it has been ... 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 Overturned: Gay Marriage On Hold Pending Stay

Oh, happy day...​READ THE ENTIRE RULING HERENO SAME-SEX MARRIAGES TODAY, SAYS SUPERVISOR BEVAN DUFTYFRIDAY HEARING WILL DETERMINE IF STAY ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS LIFTED -- THOUGH DECISION MAY NOT BE MADE AT THAT TIME. SEE COURT PAPERS HERE: Temporary stay.pdfCHECK BACK FOR FREQUENT UPDATESAs many ... 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 >>

Marriage Rights Can't Rely on Fickle Politicians' Whims

Some day his prince will come. But will a political consensus? ​Over the past few days, columnists Jonathan Rauch and Jonathan Capehart have been wringing their hands over what Judge Vaughn Walker might do to Proposition 8. They are convinced that Walker will either start an "inferno" or cause ... More >>

The Week in Gay: Gays Invade San Francisco!

Adam Hood loves you​What is the best way to kick off San Francisco Pride Weekend? By listening to an ex-gay, ex-San Franciscan who wears an ascot and just loves him some pussy! Adam Hood doesn't want the gays to bring the gangrene into heaven but he does want to bring flavor savers. Imagine hi ... More >>

Prop. 8 Cast Goes to Court ... And Gets Celebrity Doppelgangers

​When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cameras would not be permitted to film Perry v. Schwarzenegger,  directors John Ireland and John Ainsworth, along with a band of volunteer actors, decided to reenact the entire Prop. 8 trial and post the results to Youtube. Until today, the actors relie ... More >>

The Week in Gay - Vaughn Walker returns! Obama serves cocktails! Elton rims Rush!

Lennon then Limbaugh -- why not?​ OK ok ok ok...Elton John didn't really perform anal-lingus on Rush Limbaugh - technically - but he was paid $1 million to sing at Limbaugh's 4th (FOURTH) wedding last weekend and as far as I'm concerned Elton's breath will always smell like Rush's ass from now o ... More >>

The Week in Gay: Anti-Immigration Laws Bad, Anti-Gay Laws Good

Your future drinking accomodations. ​ I'm just going to say this once - up front - and then I'm going to move on: The furor raised over the Arizona illegal immigrant law is interesting to watch from my queer perch. I understand the outrage. The nerve of one state threatening to restrict the ... More >>

Prop. 8 Trial -- Constipated No More

Justice delayed is justice ... wait, what were we talking about?​Remember the Prop. 8 trial that started in San Francisco in January starring Judge Vaughn Walker (gay) and featuring David Bois (liberal) and Ted Olson (conservative)? The trial that has been on hiatus longer than the presentation of ... More >>

Obama 'Even Worse' Than Bush On Secret Wiretapping Case, Says S.F. Lawyer

Is 'Mr. Change' listening?​San Francisco attorney Jon Eisenberg thinks he's learned a thing or two about Barack Obama over the past 15 months. Eisenberg, who won a landmark decision against the government in Northern California's U.S. District Court Wednesday on a wiretapping case, says that when ... More >>

ACLU: Keep Your Hands Off Our Prop. 8 E-Mails!

​Yesterday, federal judge Vaughn Walker lowered the boom on the ACLU and Equality California, and insisted the organizations turn over their internal e-mails and memos even though they aren't actually part of the ongoing legal challenge to Proposition 8.Today, the ACLU employed the vaunted oh hell ... More >>

An Open Letter to All the Straight People

Nancy? Can we talk? ​Dear heterosexual allies, I think we need to talk. You really need to start being better friends to us gays. That includes my straight pals in San Francisco, who sometimes forget that in most parts of this country homosexuals are second-class citizens. In San Francisco ... More >>

It's Your Friday Morning News Quiz -- Yes, There's a Prize

Lemme tell you what I can get for $72 million...​Everyone is familiar with the concept -- perform well, receive compensation. That's why Keanu Reeves pulls in the big bucks. Now it's your turn. Send your perfect scores on this quiz here and the first one to ace it wins a prize. It's tax free (so t ... More >>

Judge Dismisses NSA Spying Lawsuit, Asserting Too Many People Were Spied On

You read that right. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker has dismissed a lawsuit in San Francisco's federal courthouse against the U.S. government, stating in his ruling that the plaintiffs' complaint that they were illegally monitored under the Bush Administration's warrantless wiretap pr ... More >>

Dog Bites

Fricke-Parks lawsuit; Jondi and Spesh CD release; Dot-com junkies

A New War of Words

Are you ready for a real newspaper rivalry?

Dog Bites

L'Etat, C'est Moi. Or Whatever; A Spoonful -- or So -- of Sugar

Mecklin

Cleaning Out the Swamp