Judge's Ruling Ready in Califronia's Prop 8 case...cross post to GD

[joeybee12]

SAN FRANCISCO — The first word on whether California's same-sex marriage ban passes scrutiny under the U.S. Constitution is scheduled to come down Wednesday when a federal judge issues his ruling in a landmark case.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker has reached a decision on whether to uphold or overturn the voter-approved ban known as Proposition 8 and plans to publish his opinion in the afternoon, court spokeswoman Lynn Fuller said.

His verdict comes in response to a lawsuit brought by two same-sex couples and the city of San Francisco seeking to invalidate the law as an unlawful infringement on the civil rights of gay men and lesbians.

Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriages in California five months after the state Supreme Court legalized them, passed with 52 percent of the vote in November 2008 following the most expensive campaign on a social issue in U.S. history.

Attorneys on both sides have said an appeal was certain if Walker did not rule in their favor. The case would go first to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals then the Supreme Court if the high court justices agree to review it.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38548770/ns/us_news/

[Evasporque]

1. I hope it goes well..despite the obvious appeal...

It seems so much and so many are unabashedly up against us.

The obnoxious Christian fundamentalists and the right wing conservatives have been brow beating us
for far too long. I want a victory. I want to rub something in their face.
I want to point out their bigotry with the law behind me for a change.

[BillStein]

2. The fundies are ready

They've already started portraying the Judge as a left wing activist out to destroy the American family... His opinion today is just the first round...

How many of us thought the abortion battle was over when Roe v. Wade was published?

Bigotry works for them- don't expect them to listen to reason.

[joeybee12]

6. And bigotry helps them raise money...n/t

[joeybee12]

5. Even a vitcory today is just the beginning...fasten your seat belt for a long ride...nt/

[LostinVA]

3. Do we have a time, yet?

[joeybee12]

4. This afternoon...but remember that's the west coast afternoon...

...may already be evening your time.

[LostinVA]

7. Right -- thanks

[dsc]

8. I saw 1 to 3 pm PDT

so 4 to 6 our time.

[LostinVA]

9. Damn -- I hope i'm home when tehy announce it!