The trial over whether or not same-sex couples have the legal right to marry in the state of California continues to drag on. Last August, Judge Vaughn Walker issued a 136-page order, holding that Proposition 8 violated the fundamental guarantees of equality in our Constitution. Those who oppose equality now seek to vacate that ruling, simply because Judge Walker himself happens to be a gay man in a long-term relationship. On Monday, June 13th, 2011, both sides will be going back to court to argue their case as to whether or not Judge Walker’s sexuality made him unfit to rule on the issue.
”The sexual orientation of a judge has no bearing on whether he is able to apply the United States Constitution to cases before him, just as the sexual orientation of ordinary citizens should have no bearing on whether they are able to marry the person they love,” said John Lewis, Marriage Equality USA’s Legal Analyst. “The Prop. 8 proponents are trying to distract the courts from the fact that at trial they could come up with no credible witness who could justify continued unequal treatment of loving, committed same-sex couples.”
As before, there will be overflow seating in the Ceremonial Courtroom, also on the 19th Floor, where a live video feed will be available for anyone that wants to attend the hearing. Additionally, the Media Center on the first floor (Turk street side of the building) will be open at 8:00 a.m. on the day of the hearing. (NOTE: The Turk street entrance is now reserved for building employees – all members of the public, including the media, are required to enter the building and go through screening via the Golden Gate Avenue plaza entrance).
Speaking from experience, seeing the trial in person is much better than reading about it later. You get to witness body language, which is very telling and at times very humorous. Opponents of marriage equality seemed very nervous last time around as they flustered through their papers, stuttered their words, and often broke eye contact, something that wasn’t revealed in the court transcripts.
For those who are able to make it, Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) is also hosting a rally prior to the hearing and prominent community members will be present. Speakers include Cleve Jones, Therese Stewart (SF Chief Deputy City Attorney), Rick Jacobs (Courage Campaign & Prop 8 Trial Tracker), John Lewis & Stuart Gaffney (MEUSA), and Billy Bradford (MEUSA & GetEQUAL). The rally will be from 7:30 am – 8:30 am at the Philip Burton Federal Building (450 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA). Attendees will meet near the flagpole. It sounds like a great way to celebrate LGBT Pride month since the chances of marriage equality opponents winning this round are very slim.
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