http://www.365gay.com/news/battle-to-reverse-prop-8-begins

(San Francisco) LGBT groups have begun efforts to put a repeal of Proposition 8 on the 2010 ballot.

Prop 8, passed by voters in November, bars same-sex marriage in California. The constitutionality of the measure will be taken up by the state Supreme Court in 2009, but LGBT groups say they are taking no chances on how the court will rule and have begun making plans for a ballot measure that would reverse the ban. Read more

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Judge eyes quick action on Calif. gay marriage ban

365Gay.com - July 3, 2009

(San Francisco) A federal judge in San Francisco said a lawsuit seeking to overturn California’s same-sex marriage ban will likely one day reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker made the comment Thursday during his first hearing on the suit in explaining why he wants to conduct a full trial. It’s a trial judge’s job to settle any factual disputes surrounding the voter-approved ban and its effect on the civil rights of gays and lesbians before the case goes to a higher court, he said.

“I am reasonably sure that, given the personalities in this courtroom, this case is only touching down in this court and it will have a life after this court,” Walker said. “What happens here is in many ways a prelude to what happens later.”

The judge, who was named to the bench by President George H.W. Bush, has been asked to strike down Proposition 8 as a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of due process and equal protection. Read more _____________________________________________________________

BREAKING: California Supreme Court upholds gay marriage ban

PinkNews.co.uk • May 26, 2009

The California Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8, the initiative which banned gay marriage in the state.

In the 6-1 decision, the judges rejected an argument from gay marriage supporters that the ban was unconstitutional but unanimously ruled that the 18,000 gay couples who married while gay marriage was legal will stay wed.

The only judge who wanted Prop 8 to be struck down was Justice Carlos R. Moreno, who was the court's sole Democrat.

Gay activists had said that the ban revised the California constitution's equal protection clause to the point of needing Legislative approval.

The ruling said: "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 crowd of gay marriage supporters who watched the hearing live on screens outside the San Francisco courthouse chanted "Shame on you" as the decision was announced. Read more
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Prop 8 upheld, 175 protestors arrested

SX • May 27, 2009

California’s Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8, crushing the hopes of same-sex couples and those who supported their right to marry.

The decision yesterday means that Proposition 8 – which bans same-sex marriage in California – will will stand as a constitutionally acceptable exercise of voters' free will, although the estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed last year will still be recognised as married, The Oakland Tribune reported.

The decision, which was upheld by a 6-1 vote, has led to widespread protests across the state.

A few hours ago, police in San Franscisco arrested 175 protestors who were part of a group that blocked a major intersection, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Read more and comment
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CAAH Supports repeal of California Proposition 8

In 2004, the Supreme Court in California voted 4 to 3 in favour of same-sex marriage, which led the way to the legalisation of gay marriage in that state.

Last year in November a referendum to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage was held and passed 52 to 48.

CAAH believes the referendum was unjust and a step backwards, and support's a full repeal of the ban.
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Prop 8 decision draws closer

PinkNews.co.uk • May 21, 2009

The California Supreme Court's decision on whether to strike down Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state, could come as soon as Tuesday.

The judges have until June 3rd to make their decision. The court usually only rules on Mondays and Thursdays, although will be issuing rulings on Tuesday as Monday is the Memorial Day holiday.

There has been speculation that the ruling may be issued today, but the court normally gives 24 hours notice of announcements. Read more _____________________________________________________________

Homophobic hate crimes 'linked to Prop 8′

PinkNews.co.uk • March 16, 2009

A surge in anti-gay hate crimes has been linked to Proposition 8, the initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California.

Anti-gay incidents accounted for more than half of hate crime cases last year - 56 per cent.

This is an increase from only 15 per cent in 2007. There were 14
anti-gay cases out of 25 hate-crime cases in 2008, compared with only
three out of 20 in 2007.

Deputy district attorney for Santa Clara County, Jay Boyarsky, told
the Mercury News that a jump in anti-gay hate crime is due to
controversy over the marriage ban. Read more _____________________________________________________________

Prop 8 repeal bid begins

365gay.com • March 23, 2009

A group seeking to repeal Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in California, is expected to begin collecting signatures this week to have the measure overturned.

The Secretary of State on Friday gave the group Yes on Equality until Aug. 17 to collect the nearly 700,000 signatures needed to qualify its initiative for the 2010 ballot.Read more _____________________________________________________________

Exclusive: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declares Prop 8 gay marriage ban "unacceptable"

Pinknews.co.uk • March 5, 2009

The first-ever reception at No10 Downing St for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) community was hosted by the Prime Minister and his wife this evening.

Gordon Brown described the passing of Proposition 8 in California as "unacceptable".

Mr Brown, who returned from a visit to the United States early this morning, paid tribute to the campaigning work of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and spoke of his pride that the UK has civil partnerships.Read more _____________________________________________________________

California: Now the Wait Begins

365gay.com • March 5, 2009

(San Francisco, California) The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a case challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8. The measure that ended same-sex marriage in the state but a decision on is not expected for up to 90 days.

For three hours, the seven justices hammered away at arguments by attorneys on both sides, challenging just about every one of their arguments.

Prop 8 was passed by voters in November by a slim 52 percent.

The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights immediately filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the vote. They were joined by additional suits by the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles and a legal opinion by California Attorney General Jerry Brown. Read more _____________________________________________________________