Sign the Petition to President Obama for Equality NOW!

The time has come for President Obama to stop talking and start acting. The President needs to stand with us and honor his pledge to oppose state constitutional amendments banning marriage equality.

Sign our petition to President Obama urging him to file a brief stating that the constitution prohibits the majority from taking away the rights of any minority. It’s basic constitutional law.

President Jimmy Carter, Governor Jerry Brown and former Governor Ronald Reagan spoke up and stood with us when we fought the Briggs initiative in 1978. Now, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown are speaking out and standing with us by telling the Court that Prop. 8 cannot be defended under the United States Constitution.

No voice would have more of an impact on the case than President Obama’s. It is time for him to stand up and act.

Sign our petition: eqca.org/StandUpObama.

Jerry Brown Leads Poll of Gloomy California Voters

From Reuters:

California Attorney General Jerry Brown is by far the most popular candidate for governor in next year’s election, but most voters in his party are unhappy that he is the only major Democrat running, according to a new poll on Sunday.

Sixty-five percent of Democrats surveyed in the Los Angeles Times/University of Southern California poll said they wanted additional Democratic Party options now that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had quit the race on October 30.

Fewer than a third were satisfied with Brown — a former two-term governor, onetime Oakland mayor and three-time Democratic presidential hopeful — as the only choice.

The withdrawal of Newsom, known nationally for his fight to legalize gay marriage but lagging in recent polls, left Brown as the only major politician seeking the Democratic nomination next year to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor.

Although he has yet to formally declare his candidacy, Brown drew the most favorable ratings in the gubernatorial field, 44 percent, not unsurprising in a state long known for its Democratic leanings as a whole.

More here!

No Suspension on Prop 8 in California

Yesterday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker, a federal judge in San Francisco said it is unlikely he would suspend Prop 8 while the lawsuit which challenges the measure is being considered.

Walker stated he felt it would be better to move towards a speedy trial on the case rather than grant a preliminary injunction that would temporarily allow same-sex marriages until the case is decided. Walker wrote:

“Because entering a preliminary injunction may raise novel concerns that could be avoided through a prompt decision on the merits, the court’s tentative plan is instead to proceed expeditiously to trial.”

California’s Attorney General  and Governor both have raised concerns that staying the ban and allowing same-sex couples to resume marrying while the case is heard would create unnecessary confusion, both for same-sex couples and the state.

Cali’s AG Supports Overturning Prop 8

From Equality California:

California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a brief in support of the federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 8 and restore marriage equality to California.

In stark contrast to President Obama’s Justice Department filing a brief defending the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, California’s Attorney General Jerry Brown today filed a brief in support of a federal challenge to Proposition 8. Equality California is extremely appreciative of the Attorney General’s continued leadership in opposition to Proposition 8 and in support of ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians.

Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to file his brief soon. We urge him to take the same principled stance and tell the Court that Prop. 8 violates the Constitution.

The time has come for all elected leaders to follow Jerry Brown’s example and stand up for equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Equality California will continue our position of not endorsing or supporting any candidate for any level of public office who does not completely and unequivocally support total equality for our community.

Cali Court to Hear Prop 8 Arguments March 5

The California Supreme Court has announced that it will hear arguments pertaining to the legality of Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that changed the state’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage on March 5.

The hearing is expected to be one that set a precedence and make history. Both supporters and opponents of Prop 8 will be voicing their reasons as to why or why not the amendment should remain in effect. Groups in favor of equality filed a suit shortly after the November election, claiming the marriage ban violated the state Constitution. California’s Attorney General, Jerry Brown stated he would defend Proposition 8, but then changed his stance arguing that the measure was in fact unconstitutional. Supporters of Prop 8 have filed briefs supporting the ban as it was approved by the voters 52% by 48%. According to the court, judges residing over the case will consider three key issues. Is Prop 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution? Does Prop 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California State Constitution? And, if it is determined that Prop 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?

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