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Tag Archives: same-sex marriage
Video: Newsom on Same-Sex Marriage
As San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsom made headlines worldwide when he ordered the city clerk's office to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Between Feb. 12 and March 11, 2004, nearly 4,000 same-sex couples got married at City Hall despite a state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
Now, Newsom discusses why he gave the order and how reaction in the LGBT community was not all positive. He also revisits his notorious "whether you like it or not" line, which he concedes gave opponents of same-sex marriage measure a powerful weapon in their 2008 campaign for Proposition 8.
Prop. 8 at the Supreme Court: What You Need to Know
In California's June 2000 primary, 61 percent of the electorate voted "yes" on Proposition 22, a measure that amended state law to read, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized " in the state. The state Supreme Court overturned the law in 2008 as discriminatory, opening the way for same-sex couples to get legally married in the state. About 18,000 gay and lesbian couples took advantage of the chance to tie the knot.
But the door that had been opened to same-sex couples slammed shut in November 2008, when voters passed Proposition 8. The measure, a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, passed with 52 percent of the vote.
Gay-marriage advocates immediately filed challenges with the California Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case, and in May 2009, the court upheld Prop. 8, another blow against same-sex marriage.
Timeline: The Long Battle Over Same-Sex Marriage in California
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When the Supreme Court arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, it will mark one more step in a long legal battle to determine the ultimate disposition of the same-sex marriage ban.
And while the legal battle over Proposition 8 has been long and winding enough, the battle over same-sex marriage in California actually goes back even further, as you'll see in this timeline.
Michelle Shocked 'Damned Sorry' For San Francisco Remarks About Gays
Michelle Shocked's controversial statements about gays were misinterpreted, the folk singer said on Wednesday in statements to KQED and other news outlets. She is not anti-gay, but was trying to explain other people's homophobia in comments during a concert on … Continue reading
Michelle Shocked Empties San Francisco Yoshi's with Anti-Gay Remarks
Update: Most venues listed on Michelle Shocked's tour appear to have canceled her shows in the wake of her anti-gay remarks on Sunday in San Francisco. Original post: Folk singers just don't get up on stage in San Francisco and … Continue reading
California Poll Finds Widespread Support For Same-Sex Marriage
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Four years after narrowly banning same-sex marriage in California through Proposition 8, state voters now approve of gay nuptials by 61 to 32 percent, a new Field Poll finds. That's a couple of points more in favor of same-sex marriage than in last year's poll, which found a 59 to 34 percent margin of support. In 2010, the numbers in favor were 52 to 48 percent.
The survey, released today, finds more support than opposition to gay marriage in every demographic subgroup except registered Republicans and self-identified conservatives.
The poll comes on the last day for friend of the court or "amicus" briefs to be filed in the U.S. Supreme Court case challenging Prop. 8.
Photos: Same-Sex Marriage Advocates Disrupt SF City Hall
Several gay and lesbian couples disrupted business at San Francisco's city hall Friday morning. The couples entered the city clerk's office asking for something they knew they couldn't get … a marriage license.
"We love each other and we want the rights that everyone else gets. I don't want if I die that she can't get my Social Security or come take my house because we're not legally married," said Linda Gates who attended the protest with her partner Betty.
During the demonstration, heterosexual couples, including Mario Caballeros and his fiancé Jessica from Richmond, were told to come back later.
"That just sucks. They can pick another time and another reason or do it the right way," said Caballeros. "Just taking up peoples' time. We have to wait just for them to get their little word out? That's not cool, you know?"
Protesters sang and chanted until sheriff's deputies ordered them to disperse. Thirteen protesters who refused to leave were detained for just a few minutes, then released without being charged.
Supreme Court Sets Dates for Prop. 8, DOMA Hearings
The U.S. Supreme court has set dates for hearings on two cases concerning same-sex marriage. It will hear arguments on California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in the state, on March 26, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time.
It will hear a challenge to the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA the next day, on March 27, at the same time.
In the Proposition 8 hearing, Hollingsworth v. Perry, the court is asking parties to argue whether the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the State of California from defining marriage as the· union of a man and a woman.
It's also asking them to present arguments on whether the people defending Proposition 8 — its sponsors — have legal standing. Normally state government officials would defend a state law that is challenged in federal court, but in this case California's governor Jerry Brown opposes the law.
DOMA prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage for any purpose under federal laws, such as providing benefits like healthcare. In United States v. Windsor, the court is asking the parties to present arguments about whether this violates the Fifth Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law.
A.M. Splash: Seattle Is New Same-Sex Marriage Capital; Cougar Deaths Raise Questions; BART May Raise Parking Fees
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Seattle City Hall becomes state's same-sex marriage capital (SF Chronicle) Same-sex couples began pronouncing their wedding vows Sunday morning at Seattle City Hall, ceremonies in front of volunteer judges that were for the newlyweds an affirming of personal love and … Continue reading
Analysis: Will SCOTUS Go Narrow or Broad on Same-Sex Marriage Rulings?
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The U.S. Supreme court has set dates for hearings on two cases concerning same-sex marriage. It will hear arguments on California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in the state, on March 26, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time.
It will hear a challenge to the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA the next day, on March 27, at the same time.
In the Proposition 8 hearing, Hollingsworth v. Perry, the court is asking parties to argue whether the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the State of California from defining marriage as the· union of a man and a woman.
It's also asking them to present arguments on whether the people defending Proposition 8 — its sponsors — have legal standing. Normally state government officials would defend a state law that is challenged in federal court, but in this case California's governor Jerry Brown opposes the law.
DOMA prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage for any purpose under federal laws, such as providing benefits like healthcare. In United States v. Windsor, the court is asking the parties to present arguments about whether this violates the Fifth Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law.
