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same-sex

By Howard Mintz

Posted: 08/04/2010 01:51:23 PM PDT
Updated: 08/04/2010 02:03:12 PM PDT

A San Francisco federal judge today struck down California’s ban on same-sex marriage, concluding that it tramples on the equal rights of gay and lesbian couples and setting the stage for an appeal that appears destined for the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a 136-page ruling, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker sided with two same-sex couples who challenged voter-approved Proposition 8, which embedded a ban on gay marriage in the California constitution and wiped out a prior California Supreme Court ruling that briefly legalized same-sex nuptials across the state. Walker ordered that Proposition 8 should be immediately voided, and same-sex couples be given the chance marry across California.

“Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians,” the judge wrote. “The evidence shows conclusively that Proposition 8 enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite sex couples.

Prop. 8 defenders have already vowed to ask an appeals court to immediately stay Walker’s order.

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by Viviane on 05/04/2010

in del.icio.us,sex

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The California Supreme Court upheld a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage Tuesday, but it also decided that the estimated 18,000 gay couples who tied the knot before the law took effect will stay wed.

Demonstrators outside the court yelled “shame on you!” Gay rights activists immediately promised to resume their fight, saying they would go back to voters as early as next year in a bid to repeal the ban.

The 6-1 decision written by Chief Justice Ron George rejected an argument by gay rights activists that the ban revised the California Constitution’s equal protection clause to such a dramatic degree that it first needed the Legislature’s approval.

The court said the Californians have a right, through the ballot box, to change their constitution.

“In a sense, petitioners’ and the attorney general’s complaint is that it is just too easy to amend the California Constitution through the initiative process. But it is not a proper function of this court to curtail that process; we are constitutionally bound to uphold it,” the ruling said.

The justices said the 136-page majority ruling does not speak to whether they agree with the voter-approved Proposition 8 or “believe it should be a part of the California Constitution.”

They said they were “limited to interpreting and applying the principles and rules embodied in the California Constitution, setting aside our own personal beliefs and values.”

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BOSTON (Reuters) – Vermont lawmakers on Tuesday overrode a veto from the governor in passing a bill that would allow same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the state to become the fourth in the nation where gay marriage is legal.

The Vermont House of Representatives passed the bill by a 100-49 vote after it cleared the state Senate 23-5 earlier in the day. In Vermont, a bill needs two-thirds support in each chamber to override a veto.

Vermont’s vote comes just four days after Iowa’s Supreme Court struck down a decade-old law that barred gays from marrying to make that state the first in the U.S. heartland to allow same-sex marriages.

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“Fidelity”: Don’t Divorce… from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.
“Fidelity” used with permission from Regina Spektor and EMI Records.

Watch the video and sign the Courage Campaign’s letter to the California Supreme Court. Tell the Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr’s case, and let loving, committed couples marry.

DEADLINE: Valentine’s Day

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Do you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, bi-curious, queer, questioning, or otherwise same-sex attracted? Are you of African American or Latina descent? Are you age 18 and older? Even if you prefer not to label yourself, we are interested in your experience!

I am a doctoral student at Emory University conducting research on attitudes about sexual identity and community held by same-sex attracted women of African American or Latina descent

Participation involves the completion of an online questionnaire and will take approximately 30 minutes of your time.

Your participation is voluntary and anonymous.

If you are interested in participating in this study please follow the link provided below or cut and paste the link into your web browser:

http://emory.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_bskzTz0WmmBpzA8&SVID=Prod

You may also assist with this project by forwarding this e-mail request to LGBT-themed organizations and listservs, and/or to same-sex attracted individuals.

To request additional information or questions about this study, or to request a hard copy of the questionnaire in English or Spanish please contact Monique Carry at ccarry@emory.edu.

Thank you,

Monique Carry
Doctoral Candidate, Department of Sociology
Emory University, Atlanta GA
ccarry AT emory DOT edu

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