Gay Marriage is Called Off in California

Just 2 days before California would have allowed same-sex marriages to begin again, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit announced that they are keeping the stay in place of Judge Walker’s historic decision striking down Proposition 8.

So, same-sex couples in California are once again being denied the right to marry, despite the fact that Judge Walker had clearly shown that it was unconstitutional to do so.

The Stay Has Been Lifted!!!!

Judge Walker has lifted the stay on Prop 8 and as of Wednesday, August 18th at 5pm, Same Sex marriages will once again be allowed in California!!!!!!

Will Judge Walker Lift the Stay on Prop 8?

Today is the day we find out if Judge Walker decides to lift the stay on Proposition 8 and allow same-sex couple to marry while the Prop 8 appeal makes its way to court, or to leave it in place, which would maintain the ban.

Lawyers for the two couples that had challenged Prop. 8 have asked Walker to lift the stay. And Governor Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown have joined in on that request.

The ruling will be issued sometime between 9am and 12pm and I will post his decision as soon as I hear about it.

Prop 8 Ruled Unconstitutional...But the Fight is Not Over

I am sure most of you have heard the good news...

Today, Wednesday August 4th, 2010, a California Federal Judge overturned Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage, stating it was unconstitutional.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker stated that the proposition was unconstitutional under both the due-process and equal-protection clauses.

"Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition 8. California is able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as it has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same sex couples and has not suffered any demonstrated harm as a result." "...moreover, California officials have chosen not to defend Proposition 8 in these proceedings. Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and directing the official defendants that all persons under their control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8."

The judge concluded that "Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples."


So what's next?
Despite the favorable ruling for gay and lesbian couples, Judge Walker has yet to decide as to whether his order to allow gay marriage should be suspended while proponents of the ban pursue their appeal. He ordered both sides to submit written arguments by Friday .

Once the appeal is ready, it will go first to the 9th Circuit, and then on to the U.S. Supreme Court, if the high court justices agree to review it.

HRC's Video & Letter Campaign to Target & Best Buy

HRC reported earlier this week that the Target Corp and Best Buy donated a combined total of $250,000 to the political committee MN Forward, a political action committee headed by Brian McClung, a former spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

HRC representatives explained that MN Forward's mission is to "...elect as governor an anti-LGBT state representative with a long history of attacks on LGBT Americans. This representative's campaign even donated to a controversial 'punk-rock Christian ministry' whose leader has advocated executing gays and lesbians!"

"After all these two companies have done to build a fair and equitable workplace, it's a slap in the face," said HRC president Joe Salmonese. "In years past, Target and Best Buy consistently received 100 percent ratings on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index."

So HRC has drafted an open letter to Target and Best Buy asking them to make it right by donating an equal amount of money to support candidates that fight for equality. But they need your help to make that happen.

Check out the video below and then Click here to add your name to the letter.

Prop 8 Overturned in California!!!

It was just announced that Prop 8 was overturned in the California courts, the judge agreed that it was unconstitutional!

More info to come...

Lesbian Dating & Relationships Blog Was Named #1 LGBT Lifestyles and Dating Blog

I just received notice that Lesbian Dating & Relationships Blog was named #1 of the 41 Best LGBT Lifestyles and Dating Blogs by LesbianDating.net.

Click here to check it out!