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Court ruling means no same-sex marriages can be performed in Calfornia while Prop. 8 case on appeal

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/069D05bbaOaM7/600x.jpgJust as we were ready to start throwing rice at our newly wed gay friends, the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals has granted Prop 8 proponents a stay on a judge’s ruling that makes same-sex marriage legal in California.

It is bitterly disappointing for those who are planning nuptials and for those of us who hope to someday be.

But the bright side is the appellate court has set a highly expedited schedule for briefing and argument of proponents’ appeal so hopefully the matter will be settled sooner than later and we will know whether or not the case will go before the US Supreme Court.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/225px-Theodore_Olsen_-_2010_-_David_Shankbone.jpg“We are very gratified that the Ninth Circuit has recognized the importance and pressing nature of this case and the need to resolve it as quickly as possible by issuing this extremely expedited briefing schedule,” said Attorney Theodore B. Olson, who argued on behalf of two same-sex couples who filed suit. “As Chief Judge Walker found, Proposition 8 harms gay and lesbian citizens each day it remains on the books.   We look forward to moving to the next stage of this case.”

The American Foundation for Equal Rights and plaintiffs Kris Perry, Sandy Stier, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo (the two couples are pictured at top of page) challenged Proposition 8 in federal court for violating the U.S. Constitution. After a three-week trial (including the testimony of 17 plaintiffs’ witnesses, among them the foremost experts on the relevant issues, and thousands of pages of documents and a wealth of other evidence) the Court ruled last Wednesday, August 4, that Proposition 8 violated the rights to equal protection under the law and due process that the U.S. Constitution guarantees to every American.

http://www.lgbtpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Chad-and-the-plaintiffs-at-nc1-300x225.jpg“Today’s order from the Ninth Circuit for an expedited hearing schedule ensures that we will triumph over Prop. 8 as quickly as possible,” said Chad Griffin, Board President, American Foundation for Equal Rights. “This case is about fundamental constitutional rights and we at the American Foundation for Equal Rights, our Plaintiffs and our attorneys are ready to take this case all the way through the appeals court and to the United States Supreme Court.”

Here is a link to today’s ruling: Today’s order can be found here:  http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/legal-filings/9th-circuit-ruling-on-motion-for-stay-pending-appeal/

FILE UNDER: Gay Marriage

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