Judge removes stay on Proposition 8 ruling, allowing gay marriages to resume Aug. 18
August 12, 2010
U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker today declined to continue a stay on his finding that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, paving the way for same-sex marriages to resume after Aug. 18 unless the measure's defenders quickly obtain a stay from a higher court.
Attorneys defending Proposition 8 have said they would seek an immediate stay from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal. If that fails, they have said they will go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to obtain a permanent stay pending appeal.
Private attorneys defending Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to ban gay marriage, filed an appeal last Thursday with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal.
They are challenging Walker's finding the day before that Proposition 8 violates gays' federal constitutional right to equal protection and due process.
A randomly selected three-judge 9th Circuit panel will likely be convened to review Walker's finding and the evidence presented during a trial earlier this year. The federal trial lasted more than two weeks in Walker's courtroom in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco.
Breaking: Prop. 8 Overturned
In a highly anticipated decision, federal judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the California ballot measure banning gay marriage is unconstitutional.
By Advocate.com Editors - Posted on Advocate.com July 19, 2010 02:36:52 PM
In a highly anticipated decision with potentially far-reaching implications in the national battle over gay marriage, a federal judge has struck down California's Proposition 8.
U.S. district judge Vaughn R. Walker struck down the ballot measure as unconstitutional under both equal protection and due process clauses in a 136-page opinion, nearly seven months after an unprecedented trial over gay marriage began in his San Francisco courtroom. It's not yet clear whether Walker's decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger will immediately nullify the ballot measure — and therefore restore the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.
The decision has yet to be released on the court website, though a leaked version went viral on the Internet shortly after 1 p.m. Pacific time. A link to the decision is available here.
Lead attorneys Theodore B. Olson and David Boies, who brought the case last year on behalf of a gay male couple in Burbank and a lesbian couple in Berkeley who were denied marriage licenses, are expected to speak about the ruling shortly, outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco.
The legal team and plaintiffs Kristin Perry, Sandy Stier, Paul Katami, and Jeff Zarrillo are scheduled to attend a public event Wednesday evening in West Hollywood (gay rights activists have planned multiple Wednesday rallies, both in California and elsewhere in the country: Click here for a list of events).
Legal observers had widely expected Walker to rule Prop. 8 unconstitutional, though an ultimate favorable decision by the U.S. Supreme Court remains uncertain, should the court eventually take the case.
It's really important to me and my husband of 16 years, Lonny, that we share this message with you.
Brian McMartin, Tina Reynolds, Wendy Rae Hill and others encourage you to join us today/tonight and participate in the Sacramento Region's gathering for the Prop 8 Decision: Judge's Ruling In California Gay Marriage Case.
If there's a favorable ruling, we'll stay in the McMartin Realty - Parking Lot and savor our victory. If there's an unfavorable ruling, we'll mobilize our message with an organized march to the State Capitol.
KEY TIMES TO REMEMBER FOR TODAY
3pm - 5pm | Join Us for the Press Conference
Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center
1927 L Street
Sacramento, CA
6pm - TBD | Participate in the Rally Celebration or Rally March
McMartin Realty - Midtown
2031 K Street
Sacramento, CA
by Dean Preston of Tenants Together‚ Apr. 13‚ 2010
Remember Donald Sterling, the NBA team owner and Los Angeles mega-landlord who has been sued multiple times for outrageous housing discrimination, most recently by the U.S. Department of Justice? Sterling is back in the news this week, again for discrimination in his role as landlord. This time, however, Sterling convinced a California Court of Appeal that it was just fine for him to discriminate against a Section 8 tenant. At this point, anyone who still believes in the myth that judges are “liberal activists” needs to have his or her head examined.
Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: 1927 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
On Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Equality Action Now, a Sacramento local grassroots civil rights organization along with Sacramento NOW is hosting an evening of letter-writing and discussion of the latest news from Uganda. All are welcome to participate from 6-8pm at the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, 1927 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
For more information contact: Tina Reynolds – Co-Founder Equality Action Now – info@equalityactionnow.org - http://www.EqualityActionNow.org - (916) 446-1082 – Hillary Hodge – Spokesperson Equality Action Now – hhodge33@comcast.net OR Sacramento NOW – http://www.sacnow.org
Last March, three American ultra right wing extremists, making themselves out to be “experts” on homosexuality, led a conference in Uganda where they pointed out that the norm for gays is to prey upon teenagers. They said the gays push their gay agenda onto families, destroying them. Their recommendation is that since gay people “having made a choice to be gay” and can be changed back into being heterosexual, (Ugandan gays) should be compelled to becoming straight.
The U.S. Supreme Court just issued their decision blocking the use of live video or photograph recording inside the Prop. 8 trial. I had hoped for better. People across the country need to see and hear the truth to understand why marriage matters rather than be exposed to the lies in dishonest television commercials.
Fortunately, cell phones and computers are permitted so you can stay up-to-date on the case (daily updates http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/).
By BRETT ZONGKER - Associated Press Writer - Published: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 - 5:50 am
Last Modified: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 - 4:46 am
WASHINGTON -- Rainbow flags fluttered above the crowds near the White House as tens of thousands of gay rights supporters rallied to demand that President Barack Obama keep his promises to end discrimination against gays and also let them serve openly in the military.
"Hey, Obama, let mama marry mama" some chanted Sunday. Others cried out, "We're out, we're proud, we won't back down."
Some taking part in the National Equality March woke up energized by Obama's promise to end the ban on gays serving openly in the military. He made that pledge in a speech Saturday night to the Human Rights Campaign, nation's largest gay rights group.
Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills
By Dan Smith - smith@sacbee.com - Published: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 - 8:17 am
Last Modified: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 - 9:24 am
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed two gay rights bills, one honoring late activist Harvey Milk and another recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.
In the last of hundreds of bill actions taken before midnight Sunday, Schwarzenegger approved the two bills by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.
The governor last year vetoed the measure declaring May 22 a state day of recognition for Milk, suggesting that the former San Francisco supervisor be honored locally. But he subsequently named him to the California Hall of Fame.
Ken says, "We need to send a message that the same-sex marriage issue is not dead. Next week the message will be placed on the doorsteps of the President. On November 4th, make your voice heard here in Sacramento. Please spread the word and invite your friends. ".
Event:
One Year Ago
A Day of Smiles - A Day of Tears - A Day of Action
What: Rally
Start Time: Wednesday, November 4 at 5:00pm
End Time: Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00pm
Where: California State Capitol Building
WHAT: Camp Courage, for marriage equality activists and organizers
WHERE: Sacramento (location provided once registration is confirmed)
WHEN: November 7-8, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
RECEPTION: Location TBA
Inspired by the "Camp Obama" trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California.
WHAT: Camp Courage, for marriage equality activists and organizers
WHERE: Sacramento (location provided once registration is confirmed)
WHEN: November 7-8, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
RECEPTION: Location TBA
Inspired by the "Camp Obama" trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California.
Help us get this ad on the air today at http://www.actblue.com/page/voices4eq...
Frank Reifsnyder with his wife Diane, sharing the story of his family: Son Frank with his husband Jim -Reifsnyder-Smith and their beautiful children Milo and Kaylee. Frank & Jim celebrated their 1 year wedding anniversary on June 17, 2009. This is the first of a series of "Voices for Equality" by TruthandHope.Org - Join the Voices4Equality Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid...
Inlaws & Outlaws cleverly weaves together the true stories of couples and singles both gay and straight  and all into a collective narrative that is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking. At the top of the film, you meet real people one on one. You don’t know who’s gay or straight or who’s with whom. As their stories unfold and stereotypes fall by the wayside, you won’t care because you’ll be rooting for everybody. With candor, good humor, great music and real heart, Inlaws & Outlaws gets past all the rhetoric to explore what we all have in common. We love. We lose. We all want to belong. And we’re all making this up as we go along.
Saturday, June 20th 2009
Starting at 10:00 a.m.
From Capitol Park to Southside Park
The Pride Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. (across from the historic State Capitol Building on L and 12th Streets. Join us as we wind our way through Sacramento’s downtown district, celebrating our rich and vibrant community. The motorcycle contingents kick off the parade, followed by the best Sacramento has to offer including community groups, local businesses, floats, marching bands, dancers, civic leaders, cheerleaders, clubs, fabulous divas and more... This year we're celebrating the spirit of change with a kickoff "Changing the World With Pride" rally at the State Capitol West Steps. Then join ranks with our Pride Parade for a march to the Pride Festival at beautiful Southside Park.
Inspired by the "Camp Obama" trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California.
Drawing on techniques honed for decades by progressive social movements, Camp Courage teaches empowerment, team building, leadership development, and grassroots organizing skills.
Camp Courage is designed primarily for new activists or those who have never engaged with the broader community about marriage equality as well as veteran LGBT activists and allies.
Camp Courage trainings have already been held in Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland and San Diego. All four events have received phenomenal reviews from participants, with evaluations averaging 9.26 (on a scale of 1 to 10).
To see highlights of the Los Angeles training, watch the YouTube video below.
WHAT: Camp Courage, for marriage equality activists and organizers
WHERE: Sacramento (location provided once registration is confirmed)
WHEN: Saturday, July 11 (8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.) AND Sunday, July 12 (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
RECEPTION: Location TBA, but will be in conjunction with "Second Saturday" festivities
Camp Courage will cover basic community and political organizing skills, including:
