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09/02/10: BREAKING NEWS: Appeals court rejects attempt to force California to defend Proposition 8
09/02/10: Senate candidates Boxer, Fiorina spar in debate
09/01/10: Courage Campaign blasts efforts to force Governor and Attorney General to defend Prop 8
09/01/10: Equality California Condemns Lawsuit to Force Governor, AG to Defend Prop. 8
09/01/10: Legal group seeks to compel Calif to defend Prop 8

Tuesday, 08/31/10
Video: A point-by-point takedown of NOM's lies

The National Organization for Marriage put out a new video last week, and of course, it's full of lies about Prop 8. So let's go point-by-point through their claims, and explain why they're utterly wrong.

Hey, it's Matt from Stop8.org. So, this week there was a new radio ad put out by the National Organization for Marriage, an anti-gay group with strong ties to the Mormon Church. And of course, it's full of lies about Prop 8. Let's break it down.

"San Francisco is unique, but should their values be imposed on the rest of America?"

Okay. Now, that's not a lie, but it's catty. And misleading. Gay couples aren't the ones "imposing their values" -- it's not like they're going to force everyone get gay-married. Gays just want the freedom to live their lives as they choose. If anyone's "imposing their values," it's the church-backed National Organization for Marriage, which is trying to make the entire country live by someone else's religious doctrine.

"A gay San Francisco federal judge"

Okay. Maybe Judge Walker is gay. A lot of people think he is. He's never confirmed or denied it. But so what if he is? NOM is making it sound like his ruling was biased because he's gay. But can they point to anything that shows evidence of gay-judge bias? No. They can't. Because it's a ruling that could have been written by any judge, gay or straight.

And besides, the Prop 8 Proponents had an opportunity to ask the judge to recuse himself. And they didn't. They only want to complain about the judge now that he didn't rule their way.

"A gay San Francisco federal judge has ruled that marriage between one man and one woman is discriminatory and unconstitutional."

Nope! Not even a little bit true. Did they even read the ruling? There's nothing in there about heterosexual marriages being discriminatory. All he ruled was that banning gays from marrying is discriminatory.

Straight marriage? Fine. Banning gays? Discrimination. There is a difference.

"His ruling could eventually impose gay marriage on every state in America."

Nope. It's not Judge Walker who would do that. It's the 14th Amendment, which was written after the Civil War and guarantees all citizens equal protection under the law. So if they want to blame anyone, they should blame Abraham Lincoln -- or as they might call him, a gay Illinois laywer.

"This ruling is crazy and scary."

Nope. You know what's crazy and scary? If your wife is dying in a hospital, they'll try to stop you from seeing her. If your husband is from another country, they'll have him deported. If you have foster kids, they'll try to take them away from you.

These things all happen to gay couples all the time, and it's not just "crazy and scary." It's inhumane and terrifying.

"The judge claim as so called facts that children do not need a mom and a dad, and that parental gender is irrelevant to child development."

That's misleading. Judge Walker didn't claim it -- we've known for years that gay parents are just as good as straight parents, and that love and affection is far more important than your parents' gender.

That's backed up by tons of expert testimony, depositions, and even a statement by the American Psychological Association. NOM's just trying to vilify Judge Walker for acknowledging reality.

"He says that men and women have exactly the same roles in a marriage."

Misleading again. Judge Walker actually ruled that we no longer use what was once called "coverture," a doctrine under which women lost their legal identity upon marrying. Does NOM seriously want to go back to that system, under which the state treated women as legally inferior to men?

"He actually ruled that marriage as the union of a man and a woman is just an artifact of a time that's passed."

No. Let's look at the ruling. On page 113, he says that gender discrimination -- not marriage -- is an artifact. Specifically, he says that society no longer forces women and men into different roles. He's not saying marriage is an artifact-- he's saying discrimination is an artifact.

"And he slams people of faith by saying religious beliefs harm gays and lesbians."

Wrong again.

He's not talking about all religious beliefs. He's only talking about the belief that gay couples are inferior to straight couples. And this is one of his most thoroughly-backed up findings. Look at the exhibits. He cites specific cases of religious leaders harming gay couples by calling them sinful, by working to restrict their legal protections, and by creating "religious hostility." Case after case after case of people using religion as justification for harming gays and lesbians. The proof's right there. What are you going to argue?

"America doesn't have to accept San Francisco's values."

Nope. And America shouldn't have to submit to NOM's values, either.

"Time is short to save traditional marriage."

That's the biggest lie of all. The phrase "traditional marriage" can mean a lot of things -- marriage in which a woman loses her rights, marriages that prohibit Blacks, forced marriages, marriages in which adultery is punished by death. These are all traditions that have gone away, and we're better off without them. Just like the "tradition" of discriminating against happy, healthy, successful gay couples.

And that's what makes that such a big lie. NOM's time isn't short. It's already run out.



[Read the article or read more articles from Stop8.org.]


08/31/10: Same-sex marriage gains GOP support

Tuesday, 08/31/10
The Science of Prop 8, and Worrisome Copycat Lawsuits: This Week in Prop 8 for August 30, 2010

This was apparently a week for reflection, as we peeked behind the curtains of some cutting-edge research this week, examining the social and psychological science that formed the basis of Judge Walker's decision. Check out this article (written by Stop8.org founder Matt Baume, BTW) that explains why we can say with such confidence that gay couples and straight couples should be identical in the eyes of the law.

Meanwhile, historians took a look at Perry v. Schwarzenegger, and noted that historical analysis played a major role in the case. And Obama was raked over the coals by The New Republic for his utter failure to lead when it comes to marriage equality.

Encouragingly, there was yet another poll showing that public support is gradually growing for equality. But there's some reason for concern, at least according to prominent lawyer Leonard Link: he pointed out that two guys in Wyoming have filed a lawsuit that appears to be a copy of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. Without the resources of talented attorneys, he said, such "copycat litigation" could be a disaster.



[Read the article or read more articles from Stop8.org.]


08/27/10: Poll: Most agree with judge's Prop. 8 ruling
08/27/10: Digrace: Obama's increasingly absurd gay marriage position.
08/26/10: California no longer looking for "causes and cures of homosexuality"
08/26/10: Just What We Don't Need -- Copycat Marriage Litigation!
08/26/10: Historians and the Prop 8 Decision
08/25/10: Obliterating the arguments of Focus on the Family and Edwin Meese
08/23/10: The Science Behind the Prop 8 Ruling

Monday, 08/23/10
Does Meg Whitman Understand How Laws Work? This Week in Prop 8 for August 23, 2010

If elected, Meg Whitman says that she would defend Prop 8 -- but would she even be able to? No, says the Courage Campaign. Her inauguration would be in January, but the Ninth Circuit hearing is scheduled for December. But wait! She could possibly file a Friend of the Court briefing. But that depends on a lot of ifs: if she's elected, if the schedule doesn't change, if the court accepts her brief ... in other words, you can't count on anything.

Steve Cooley, a candidate for Attorney General, says that he'd defend Prop 8 as well. What is with these people? They're clearly on the losing side of history: state and national polling shows a steady gain in support for equality. How many years do you think will pass before people like Whitman and Cooley are embarrassed by the positions they once took?

And speaking of awkward positions, it will be interesting to see whether San Diego prosecutes the nine activists arrested last week in the county clerk's office. They were protesting marriage inequality and were escorted out in cuffs -- now, the question is, will the city drop charges? That would certainly be the nice thing to do.

And finally, we come full circle a little good news: in Rhode Island, public opinion is tipping further in favor of equality. That's significant, since the current governor, Donald Carcieri, is none too friendly to the gays. With an gubernatorial election coming up in November, will voters support pro-equality candidates Frank T. Caprio and Lincoln Chafee, or anti-gay Republicans John Robitaille and Victor Moffitt?



[Read the article or read more articles from Stop8.org.]


08/23/10: Courage Campaign: Meg Whitman won't be able to defend Prop. 8
08/23/10: Defending Prop 8: The Meg Whitman, Steve Cooley Morass - with Insight from Lambda Legal's Jon Davidson
08/23/10: Over Time, a Gay Marriage Groundswell
08/20/10: 9 Gay Activists Arrested In San Diego Protesting Prop 8 Stay
08/20/10: Newsom Steps Away From Limelight on Same-Sex Marriage
08/20/10: Attorney General Candidate Steve Cooley Would 'Defend' Proposition 8
08/19/10: Rhode Island Voters Support Marriage Equality
08/19/10: Lawyers may move to recover Prop. 8 court costs
08/18/10: Schadenfreude Alert: Liberty Counsel STILL Blames ADF For Prop 8 Decision
08/18/10: How 1997 ruling might thwart Prop. 8 appeal
08/18/10: Fearing Supreme Court Smackdown, Evangelicals Discourage Prop 8 Appeal
08/17/10: Prop 8 trial post-stay roundup ("Lesbians Love Boies" edition): Cooper's strategy, Plaintiffs on MSNBC, and AFER's Boutrous
08/16/10: Prop 8 legal team makes "last-ditch plea" to delay resumption of same-sex marriages

Monday, 08/16/10
Marriage Suspense Comes to a Head this Wednesday: This Week in Prop 8 for August 16, 2010

It was another nail-biter this week, with Judge Walker ruling at the last second (actually, slightly after the last second) that gay couples will have to wait another few days before they can get married. Possibly.

The hold on marriages is expected to last until Wednesday at 5pm, at which time it will evaporate -- unless the Prop 8 people can get the Ninth Circuit to step in. Can they do it? It's anyone's guess. There's some doubt as to whether the Proponents are even allowed to attempt to do so; and even if they are, there's no guarantee that it'll be granted. More suspense!

Meanwhile, the American Foundation for Equal Rights (the organization that sued to overturn Prop 8) stepped into the whole Target debate by asking that the company donate money in support of marriage equality. Target, you'll recall, earned some ire when it was discovered that they were bankrolling an anti-marriage candidate. No response from Target yet.



[Read the article or read more articles from Stop8.org.]


08/16/10: Plans Move Ahead for Same-Sex Weddings Wednesday
08/16/10: Who has standing to appeal Prop. 8 ruling?
08/16/10: American Foundation for Equal Rights urges Target to donate to anti-Prop. 8 movement.
08/16/10: Under the U.S. Supreme Court: Kennedy key to gay marriage
08/13/10: Prop 8 Proponents File Emergency Stay Request
08/13/10: Vaughn Walker's Choice to Delay Gay Marriage Praised by Legal Scholars
08/12/10: Couple left standing at altar by Prop. 8 ruling
08/12/10: Prop 8 stay ends next week, setting stage for California gay marriage
08/12/10: Analysis of Judge Walker's decision on the stay, and what's next
08/12/10: Americans split evenly on gay marriage
08/11/10: Prop 8 appeal creates legal thicket
08/11/10: Decision On If Same Sex Marriages Can Resume Expected Thursday
08/11/10: Protest National Organization for Marriage's Ruth Institute Gala in Los Angeles on Thursday
08/11/10: Advisory: If Judge Walker Says It's OK to Get Married
08/11/10: Can the Proponents of Proposition 8 Appeal Judge Walker's Ruling?
08/11/10: American Bar Association endorses marriage equality
08/10/10: 10 Judge Walker's Court Posts Video and Documentary Evidence Presented During Federal Prop 8 Trial
08/10/10: Imperial County Desperately Wants to Appeal
08/09/10: On the Prop 8 Stay and Standing

Monday, 08/09/10
Prop 8 Unconstitutional -- but for How Long? This Week in Prop 8 for August 9, 2010

Whew, well, it's been quite a couple of days, hasn't it?

Prop 8 has been found unconstitutional based on "overwhelming evidence", but that doesn't mean it's going away. While the proponents appeal his ruling, Judge Walker may allow the ban to stay in place.

But even if it does, Olson and Boies are delighted by the ruling, as is a relieved public (except for the proponents, who are pretty glum). And they're also defending their win, with both Boies and Olson giving particularly good takedowns of arguments against equality.

Obama, meanwhile, has been pretty quiet.

So now the big question is: what's next? Well, sometime this week, Judge Walker will consider whether to lift Prop 8 right away. And then the case will be argued before the Ninth Circuit sometime in early 2011. Then it'll probably go to the Supreme Court in the latter half of the year, or in 2012.

It's also important to note that this November's election will have a significant impact on how the case goes. Current state leadership has refused to defend Prop 8 in court, but Meg Whitman supported the proposal. That's why it's important to get Jerry Brown in the governor's office, Gavin Newsom in the Lieutenant Governor's, and Kamala Harris in the Attorney General's.



[Read the article or read more articles from Stop8.org.]


08/09/10: Obama Frustrates Gay Marriage Allies With Wobbly Prop 8 Stance
08/09/10: How to dismantle conservative legal arguments on the Prop 8 ruling
08/08/10: 'No Evidence of Harm' from Same Sex Marriage
08/07/10: Will Gay Marriage, Once Again, Become a Campaign Issue?
08/07/10: The Stay Issue in the Perry Prop 8 Case
08/07/10: Prop. 8 foes, backers look to Supreme Court showdown on gay marriage
08/07/10: Both sides in same-sex marriage debate see chance to galvanize support after California ruling
08/07/10: Walker's Decision in Prop 8 Case Written With Kennedy in Mind
08/06/10: Attorney General Jerry Brown won't defend Prop 8. What will Steve Cooley do?
08/06/10: Schwarzenegger calls for same-sex weddings
08/06/10: First Maggie Gallagher, now Debra Saunders: Another shocking display of ignorance in the San Francisco Chronicle
08/06/10: Prop 8 Appeal Schedule Posted: Hearing Won't Happen Until Next Year
08/06/10: Federal judge in Prop. 8 case an unpredictable iconoclast
08/05/10: Impeach Judge Walker?
08/05/10: After Prop. 8 Trial, What's Next?
08/05/10: Appeal filed over gay marriage ruling in Calif.
08/05/10: "Facts are stubborn things": The meaning and value of Judge Walker's Prop 8 decision
08/05/10: Marriage Is a Constitutional Right
08/05/10: Jew Marriage: Judge's Bias Will Be Overruled
08/05/10: Thank you, Judge Walker!
08/05/10: Prop. 8: Judge Walker's bias will be overruled
08/05/10: Prop 8 ruling met with tears, dancing, and resolve
08/05/10: Prop 8 Coverage Roundup: The Chron's Bigoted Op-Ed, Winning At Dinner, And Reaction Pieces Galore
08/05/10: Rachel Maddow On Dr. George Rekers' Role In The Overturn Of Prop 8
08/05/10: White House Statement on Proposition 8

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