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Making the news rounds today is a brief coming out of San Francisco, California, where the Supreme Court of California announced they will hear the case of those against Proposition 8 and its prohibition of same-sex marriages. The court did state that, in accordance with the passage of the proposition, until any decision is made in the opposition of Prop 8, the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses will be suspended.

This echoes the Governors words for opponents of the proposition to fight on. What this proposition has done is take away a civil right, signaling a huge setback to the advancements that had been made earlier in the year by a 4-3 vote of the California Supreme Court.

If past history carries any prevalence, we must not trust these civil rights issues in the hands of voters. Proposition 8 is just a present-day example. Think about if we had put the issue of slavery to a vote a couple hundred years ago. As the majority of wealthy, voting Americans owned and used slaves for labor and services, a vote to abolish slavery would have had trouble even making it on a ballot, let alone passing.

As Apple Inc. said in a public statement regarding Proposition 8:

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

This is just that, a civil rights issue, not just a political issue, and it is truly saddening that personal religious beliefs have been successful in pushing Prop 8 to the California Constitution. Hopefully, the California Supreme Court Justices, will uphold the civil rights it past earlier this year and squash this proposition once and for all.

Two possibilities exist as to avenues of killing this proposition. One argument could be made that Proposition 8 is more than a simple addendum to the California Constitution, but a full amendment, in which case, the proposition would need a majority two-thirds vote to pass. Pop 8 won by a margin of roughly 52% Yes, and 48% No – not a clear majority and not by any means a two-thirds majority.

The second possibility is that, upon hearing the case of opponents to Proposition 8, the Supreme Court justices find Prop 8 itself to be unconstitutional and find in favor of granting the civil rights of same-sex marriage couples.

Either possibility will gladly be taken, but the latter will be preferred. It will set precedent for future law in the State of California and abroad. It will put to rest any question the stance of the State of California on this matter and grant the civil rights that should be had of same-sex couples.

Photo Credit: ABC News and Boston

Californian’s voted this past November 4th for more than just the next President of the United States. On the ballot was a highly controversial proposition designated by the number eight. Prop 8 sought to overturn a California Supreme Court ruling which allowed for gay marriage by a 4-3 vote of Supreme Court justices earlier in the year. Since the ruling, over an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples have married.

Following the election results in which Proposition 8 won with 52.5% of the vote, civil and legal rights organizations have gathered questioning the legality of this victory. Under California law, if a proposition seeks to significantly change the constitution rather than a simple revision, the proposition must have been approved by a two-thirds majority of the Legislature prior to being put on the ballot. Lawsuits have since been filed asking the courts to determine whether this revision sought to amend or revise the Constitution.

Over 20,000 gather in Los Angeles, San Diego and elsewhere to oppose the gay-marriage ban. Proponents of the measure ‘are mixing religion with politics,’ one says. ‘Everyone should have equal rights.’ – Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Times

There have been demonstrations and protests throughout the state, particularly in San Francisco and Los Angeles protesting the outcome of this ballot measure. For the first time in modern history, a democratic vote has taken away a fundamental civil right – the right for same-sex couples to marry. This is a huge step backwards for society, and an unworthy blow to same-sex couples who have long fought for the right to legal marriage recognition.

The voter breakdown by county (as reported by the Los Angeles Times):

By election day, over $74 million had been raised collectively by both supporters and foes of Proposition 8, an unprecedented dollar value never before seen, and by far the most costly measure on the ballot this year, both for the state and the nation.

This measure, however, has not seen the dust settle around its controversy. Personal views aside, what this measure comes down to is a clear absence of the separation of Church and State that this country’s democratic policies are founded upon. Whether or not one believes or does not believe that same-sex couples should marry based on religious teachings, beliefs, or personal thoughts is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that a fundamental civil right was just stripped from same-sex couples. The educated and knowledgeable agree to disagree with this proposition. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8.

“It’s unfortunate, obviously, but it’s not the end,” Schwarzenegger said in an interview Sunday on CNN. “I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area.”

On Sunday, the Governor urged supporters of same-sex marriage to follow the lesson he learned as a bodybuilder trying to lift weights that were too heavy for him at first.

“I learned that you should never ever give up. . . . They should never give up. They should be on it and on it until they get it done.”

Prominent public officials continue to officially oppose Proposition 8. The governor joins California Attorney General Jerry Brown, California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connel and Senator Dianne Feinstein in opposing this measure.

If I could summarize my feelings in one small phrase, I would say: FIGHT ON. The fight is not over, and the issue will not disappear, must to the dismay of wealthy churches and religious-goers who funded a massive and falsly-informed Proposition 8 campaign.

Editor’s Note: I have posted a video from CNN highlighting street protests throughout Los Angeles. The video is on my other site as they won’t embed properly on WordPress. [Linked]

Photo Credit: Flickr – Taylor through Wikimedia

California Gay Marriage Ban Tops List.

Just when you thought great strides were being made towards improving social acceptance and eliminating discrimination, a proposition named eight came around and shattered what we have worked so hard to achieve.

At its fundamental level, Proposition Eight seeks to “eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry,” essentially seeking a reversal of a California Supreme Court ruling which allowed for such marriages in the Constitution of this state.

The campaign for this proposition has evolved the proposition into one of the most lucrative and expensive campaigns in history. Upwards of $60+ million has already been spent on advertising campaigns, an atrocious amount on a proposition that should be shot dead in the water.

Prominent political figures, including the California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connel and Senator Dianne Feinstein have been so outraged at this outrageous proposition that they have contributed to the advertising campaign through personal messages.

Senator Feinstein put it well in saying,

“Proposition 8 is not about school or kids. It is about discrimination. And we must always say no to that. No matter how you feel about marriage, vote against discrimination and vote no on eight.”

Regardless of how you feel, Proposition 8 is unfair, unnecessary and wrong. It has nothing to do with schools like its proponents have made it out to be. Marriage is not a required subject of instruction in California Education Standards. All this proposition is is a drastic step to strip people of their fundamental rights pushed by out of state special interest groups that have funneled tens of millions of dollars toward its publicity.

Update: Apple Inc. has released a statement regarding Proposition 8:

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

This truly is not just a political issue, but a civil rights issue. Apple joins Google in making a substantial donation to the No on 8 Campaign. This initiative is truly wrong and should be overwhelmingly shot down come November 4th.