Orange County Register

Update: Before becoming aware of the federal suit described below, a group of the leading groups backing gay marriages has issued this joint statement opposing such challenges. Since writing this blog item, I’ve filed this news story on the lawsuit with additional information and context.

Two high-powered attorneys held an L.A. press conference this morning announcing a federal lawsuit challenging the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage, filed on behalf of two gays couples who were denied marriage licenses.

However, the larger gay-marriage movement in California is setting aside litigation to focus on a ballot measure to reverse Prop. 8, possibly as early as next year. Some leaders in the movement say the current U.S. Supreme Court will not intervene in the issue of gay marriage, and some say that a ballot measure would be a quicker route to gay marriage in the state.

“We have a concern that it’s premature to go to the federal court,” said Katherine Darmer, a gay-marriage activist and Chapman University law professor. She is quoted on the matter in my story on yesterday’s state Supreme Court decision to uphold Prop. 8.

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Click here for the press release from the Orange County Equality Coalition, including a comment from Chapman University law professor Katherine Darmer in which she warns that the Proposition 8 decision today goes against constitutional protections for minorities.

In response to the state Supreme Court’s ruling today in upholding Proposition 8, Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein both reaffirmed their support of gay marriage.

“Unfortunately, with this decision, I am concerned that we are back to square one on the issue of equal rights for same-sex couples,” Boxer said. “This ruling sets up a very unfair reality in California where some same-sex couples will have their marriages affirmed, while many more will be denied their fundamental rights.

“I remain committed to working actively with people across the state to make sure that same-sex couples have equal rights under the law.”

“I know today’s decision is a tremendous disappointment for many people,” Feinstein said. “But I also know that the opinions of Californians are changing on this issue, and I believe that equal marriage rights will one day be the law in this state. This is already the case in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont.

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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8 and has issued the following response:

“Today’s decision by the California Supreme Court is welcome. The issue the court decided was whether California citizens validly exercised their right to amend their own constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The court has overwhelmingly affirmed their action.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes the deeply held feelings on both sides, but strongly affirms its belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. The bedrock institution of marriage between a man and a woman has profound implications for our society. These implications range from what our children are taught in schools to individual and collective freedom of religious expression and practice. Read the rest of this entry »

ProtectMarriage.com’s general counsel Andrew Pugno issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court ruling:

“We are very gratified that the California Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8. This is the culmination of years of hard work to preserve marriage in California. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers worked diligently to uphold the institution of marriage. Twice, voters have decided that marriage in California should be only between a man and a woman. We are extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has acknowledged the right of voters to define marriage in the California Constitution. The voters have decided this issue and their views should be respected.”

Retired elementary school teacher Polly Gast, 87, of Placentia, says the Supreme Court should also have invalidated the 18,000 gay marriages that took place in the window the opened up last year after the court struck down a ban on same-sex unions and the passage of Proposition 8.

“I think that they should have negated those since they were against the California law (and) since we voted for it,” she said. “After all we voted against it and a judge has no business ruling against the people’s wishes.”

Gast said she doesn’t want to see gay marriage acceptance being taught in schools. Read the rest of this entry »

Scott Zucker and David Lopez of Ladera Ranch were among the 18,000 couples that wed during the window that opened up last year after the California Supreme Court struck down the ban against gay marriage.

Zucker, a landscape architect, said he had prepared for today’s ruling and so was not surprised by it. He echoed the sentiments of other gay rights advocates on what he feels the future holds.

“I still believe we’re on the right course and it’s just a matter of time that Proposition 8 is repealed and same-sex marriage will be the norm around the nation and federally recognized,” he said.

Zucker and Lopez, both 49 and who have been together for 13 years, used to live in Laguna Beach, the only city in Orange County that joined plaintiffs seeking to nullify Proposition 8. Read the rest of this entry »