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David Boies: Witness Stand “A Lonely Place to Lie”

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Attorney David Boies came to rumble with the right on CBS News’ Face the Nation yesterday over Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case he and Ted Olson argued which resulted in California’s Prop. 8 being declared unconstitutional. His opponent was Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council.

…

“It’s easy to sit around and debate and throw around opinions [that] appeal to people’s fear and prejudice, cite studies that either don’t exist or don’t say what you say they do. In a court of law you’ve got to come in and you’ve got to support those opinions. You’ve got to stand up under oath and cross-examination. And what we saw at trial is that it’s very easy for the people who want to deprive gay and lesbian citizens the right to vote, to make all sorts of statements and campaign literature or in debates where they can’t be cross-examined. …

There weren’t any empirical studies. That’s just made up. That’s junk science. And it’s easy to say that on television. But a witness stand is a lonely place to lie. And when you come into court, you can’t do that. And that’s what we proved. We put fear and prejudice on trial, and fear and prejudice lost.”

Full Story from the Daily Kos

Click here for gay marriage resources.

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Tags: david boies, face the nation, federal trial, frc, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage

Prop 8 Gay Marriage Day of Decision Rallies

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

See the revised, longer list here:

http://purpleunions.com/blog/2010/08/updated-list-prop-8-gay-marriage-day-of-decision-rallies.html

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Tags: decision, events, federal trial, Gay Marriage, Judge walker, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, rallies, same sex marriage

Just In: Prop 8 Gay Marriage Decision Due Tomorrow, August 4th

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Just got this from KGO:

Dear J. Scott:

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker will issue a decision tomorrow on the constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage.

Walker’s written order will be released electronically, and will later be available for review at several federal courthouses.

Listen to KGO Newstalk 810 for updates from our news department, who are following this developing story through the day.

If you’d like to subscribe to KGO Breaking News Text Alerts, we’ll let you know as soon as we learn the details of the decision. Just text “newsdesk” to 68255 or browse to http://kgoradio.com/Article.asp?id=606134&spid=17749 Standard message/data rates may apply.

We’ll also be covering the announcement via Twitter, @kgoradio

Thanks for listening to KGO Newstalk 810!

KGO Radio, 900 Front Street, San Francisco CA 94605

Here’s a list of events for tomorrow, the Day of Decision:

–USA, CA, Bakersfield: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Outback Steakhouse, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/cHVRo4 
–USA, CA, Concord: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Willow Pass & Grant, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/9yF81q
 –USA, CA, Contra Costa Co.: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, TBD, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/dhPhyw
 –USA, CA, Los Angeles: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Olvera Street, 10 PM. http://bit.ly/cNCPNV 
–USA, CA, Martinez: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, 822 Main St., 6 PM. http://bit.ly/9yF81q 
–USA, CA, Mountain View: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, City Hall, TBD. http://bit.ly/9KgCFy 
–USA, CA, Palm Springs: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, County Courthouse, 7 PM. http://bit.ly/cHVRo4
 –USA, CA, Porterviile: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, SaveMart Sidewalk, 5 PM. http://bit.ly/9tpy4t
 –USA, CA, Rancho Cucamonga: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Day Crk/Foothill Blvd, 11 PM. http://bit.ly/9DGYOf
 –USA, CA, Richmond: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Civic Center Plaza, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/9yF81q 
–USA, CA, Sacramento: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, 20th Street Between K & L, TBD. http://bit.ly/cbagJy
 –USA, CA, San Francisco: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Castro, 5-6 PM. http://bit.ly/cCWr2p
 –USA, CA, San Jose: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Billy De Frank Comm Ctr, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/bMOt6U 
–USA, CA, San Luis Obispo: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Mission Plaza Amphitheater, 5:30 PM. http://bit.ly/cHVRo4
 –USA, CA, San Mateo: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, 5th & El Camino Real, 6-8 PM. http://bit.ly/91UhgO 
–USA, CA, Santa Ana: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Sasscer Park, 9 PM. http://bit.ly/ddLdAr
 –USA, CA, Ukiah: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Alex Thomas Plaza, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/bxNzci 
–USA, CA, Walnut Creek: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, 1666 N. Main St., 6 PM. http://bit.ly/9yF81q
 –USA, CA, West Hollywood: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, West Hollywood Park, 5 PM. http://bit.ly/9CWB1K 
–USA, CO, Denver: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Colorado State Capitol Bldg, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/ax9eym
 –USA, NY, Rochester: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Downtown, 5 PM. http://bit.ly/buOMYn
 –USA, TX, Austin: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Austin City Hall, 5:30 PM. http://bit.ly/duz9cj
 –USA, TX, Dallas: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Crnr Cedar Springs Rd/Oak Lawn, 6 PM. http://bit.ly/duz9cj 
–USA, TX, Denton: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, Courthouse Square, 5 PM. http://bit.ly/duz9cj 
–USA, TX, Houston: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, City Hall, 5:30 PM. http://bit.ly/duz9cj 
–USA, TX, Houston: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, TBD, TBD. http://bit.ly/aoHt98 
–USA, TX, San Antonio: 8/4, Rally After Prop 8 Decision Announced, City Hall, 6:30 PM. http://bit.ly/duz9cj

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Tags: decision, federal trial, Gay Marriage, Judge walker, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage

CA: Prop 8 Ruling Possible This Week

Monday, July 12th, 2010

The Day of Decision for Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal lawsuit pending in U.S. District Court that challenges the constitutional validity of California’s Proposition 8, is close at hand. Rallies will be held throughout the state of California and in Denver, Colorado no matter which way the judge rules. Details of rallies to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area are listed below.

Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court that challenges the constitutional validity of California’s Proposition 8, could come as early as this week. The plaintiffs seek to have the federal court strike down Proposition 8, saying it is contrary to the 14th Amendment’s guarantee to equal protection.

The trial received less public attention than it might have, had the United States Supreme Court not ruled against allowing video coverage of the trial. Nevertheless, this landmark case is being closely watched by gay rights activists and others interested in equal rights protections. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs anticipate a ruling that would transform the legal and social landscape nationwide, as did Loving v. Virginia, the 1967 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

Full Story from IndyMedia.org

Click here for gay marriage resources in California.

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Tags: decision, federal trial, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage

CA: Prop 8 Case May Take Years to Resolve

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

Just hours after Judge Vaughn R. Walker banged the final gavel in the trial of Proposition 8 – California’s same-sex marriage ban – the two top lawyers challenging the law, David Boies and Theodore Olson, were holding court again: this time at a small private dinner with donors in San Francisco.

The meal, with a handful of people who have given money to the group challenging the ban, could well be seen as the opening maneuver in the second act of the saga of Proposition 8, which both sides expect to wind its way up the federal judicial food chain, most likely all the way to the Supreme Court.

“We would immediately appeal,” Andrew Pugno, a lawyer for the proponents of Proposition 8, said when asked if his side were to lose in Judge Walker’s court. The plaintiffs agree.

Full Story from the NY Times

Click here for gay marriage resources in California.

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Tags: analysis, closing arguments, federal trial, Gay Marriage, Judge walker, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage

CA: Prop 8 Trial Closing Arguments Analysis From NCLR

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

It’s been several months since the parties wrapped up the presentation of evidence in Perry v. Schwarzenegger. Since then, they’ve been fighting over some issues about evidence, which are now all resolved. Today, the advocates reconvened for a full day of closing arguments, watched closely by hundreds of spectators in two overflow courtrooms.

In closing arguments, attorneys summarize the most important evidence from trial that supports their side. Today’s arguments overwhelmingly demonstrated the volume and strength of the plaintiffs’ evidence, and the complete lack of evidence in support of Proposition 8.

Theodore Olson of Gibson, Dunn did a masterful job for the plaintiffs. He focused his presentation on the two plaintiff couples’ moving testimony about why marriage is important to them. Olson also highlighted the testimony from all of the expert witnesses – on both sides of the case – who unanimously agreed that marriage would enhance the well-being of same-sex couples and their kids.

Full Story from Pam’s House Blend

Click here for gay marriage resources.

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Tags: analysis, closing arguments, federal trial, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, nclr, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage

CA: Prop 8 Trial Closing Arguments Analysis

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

So, that is over. Well, it is minus the little part about Judge Vaughn Walker issuing his ruling. But both sides – AFER’s Olson-Boies and ProtectMarriage.com’s Charles Cooper – have rested their cases. And even if you’re a supporter of Prop 8, you’ve got to admit: the defense blew it.

In Perry v. Schwarzenegger, it was Olson and Boies, on behalf of their gay couple defendants, who were required to prove their case: That Prop 8 is unconstitutional, was motivated by animus, and must be struck down. They did it. More than adequately. And they didn’t just make the legal argument (which we’re well aware is the most important), but the logical one – how legalizing same-sex marriage won’t keep straight couples from getting married or having kids, and how re-authorizing marriages for gay couples will make more families more stable. And without question, Cooper’s roster of “experts” completely annihilated ProtectMarriage.com’s core arguments. There’s just no way around it; their own witnesses admitted laws like the Defense of Marriage Act, similar in many ways to Prop 8, are discriminatory. And how legalizing same-sex marriage is – wait for it, wait for it – a good thing.

The entire production was an embarrassment for the defense. That is an objective observation. And Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage (which was not a defendant in the case), accidentally confirmed as much in a live chat following Wednesday’s closing arguments.

Full Story from Queerty

Click here for gay marriage resources.

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Tags: analysis, closing arguments, federal trial, Gay Marriage, Judge walker, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage

CA: Defense Attorney for Prop 8: No Evidence Needed

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Attorney Charles Cooper made his final argument that California’s ban on same-sex marriages should be upheld as constitutional by telling Chief District Judge Vaughn Walker: “Your honor, you don’t have to have evidence for this.”

The judge appeared mildly surprised. But Cooper’s novel argument was in keeping with the minimalist defense he and his legal team mounted to uphold Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage in 2008. During the trial phase in January, the defense called only two witnesses.

In his closing argument Wednesday, Cooper made the case that marriage has traditionally been defined as between a man and a woman. There is no compelling reason to change that today, he said.

Full Story from AOL News

Click here for gay marriage resources.

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Tags: closing arguments, federal trial, Gay Marriage, Judge walker, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage

Alicia Keys Supports Gay Marriage, Opposes Prop 8

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Alicia Keys posted a message on Twitter today in support of same-sex marriage. Her comment said, “Join the fight to strike down #Prop8 http://bit.ly/8ucc9o @AmerEqualRights.”

Alicia Keys is referring to the current federal trial against Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California. After a very long delay, the closing arguments for the trial will finally be heard today in San Francisco. Both sides will have an opportunity to wrap up their arguments and respond to the final questions asked by Judge Walker. Even though the official hearing won’t begin until 10:00 AM, activists in the community plan on rallying outside the courthouse starting at 8:00 AM. The schedule for today will be as follows:

08:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Rally outside the courthouse
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM — Plaintiffs
11:30 AM – 11:45 AM — City and County of San Francisco
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM — Governor, AG, county defendants
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM — Lunch
01:00 PM – 3:15 PM — Proponents
03:15 PM – 3:45 PM — Plaintiffs’ rebuttal

Full Story from the Examiner

Click here for gay marriage resources.

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Tags: alicia keys, federal trial, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, prop 8, same sex marriage

Guide to the Prop 8 Closing Arguments

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Journalist Karen Ocamb has provided a fantastic roundup of information as we head into the closing arguments for the fed Prop 8 case and is sharing it with us here at the coffeehouse. Coverage will begin at 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EST. A number of outlets will be live-Tweeting and live-blogging the event, including the folks from Act On Principles and Firedoglake; and you can find plenty of info at http://prop8trialtracker.com/. I’ll have a feed up in the column for the hashtag #prop8.

Anticipation is building. The atmosphere itself seems to reverberate with history. On Wednesday morning, District Court Judge Vaughn Walker will hear closing arguments in the federal trial challenging the constitutionality of Prop 8.

The timing is synchronous with the two-year anniversary of the first legal marriages in California on June 16, 2008. And not coincidentally, the lawsuit at the center of the challenge, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, was launched by the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) in Los Angeles on May 27, 2009 – the day after the California Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Prop 8. This was the same court that ruled a year earlier, on May 15, 2008, that same sex couples had been denied the fundamental constitutional right to marry. To underscore just how this profound fight for the freedom to marry transcends partisan politics, AFER brought together two of the best legal minds in America – Ted Olson and David Boies – who had been on opposing sides in the historic Bush v. Gore case in 2000.

Full Story from Pam’s House Blend

Click here for gay marriage resources in California.

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Tags: federal trial, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, prop 8, proposition 8, same sex marriage