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The sponsors of Proposition 8 and their campaign committee, ProtectMarriage.com, who are defending the initiative at a federal trial on same-sex marriage, contended Wednesday that gays and lesbians are now politically powerful and that “many people freely choose their sexual orientation.”
Later in the trial, the Proposition 8 sponsors will present their own witness, assistant government professor Kenneth Miller of Claremont McKenna College, to assert the view that gays and lesbians have political power.
Today’s court session in Walker’s Federal Building courtroom will begin with continued cross-examination of Segura.
A federal trial on same-sex marriage moved into its second week in San Francisco yesterday with testimony from the mayor of San Diego on why he supports gay and lesbian marriage.
Mayor Jerry Sanders, a Republican, testified that he initially opposed same-sex marriage but changed his views after learning that one of his daughters is a lesbian who wanted to marry her partner.
“I believe the government should allow everyone to get married in exactly the same way,” Sanders said.
The trial before U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker is the first federal trial in the nation on a challenge under the U.S. Constitution to a ban on same-sex marriage.
A lesbian couple from Berkeley and a gay couple from Burbank claim in a civil rights lawsuit that California’s ban, enacted by voters in 2008 as Proposition 8, violates their rights to due process and equal treatment.
Walker will decide the case without a jury.
Sanders was questioned by San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera. The city of San Francisco was allowed to join the case on the side of the same-sex couples to support their claims that denial of marriage is costly to local governments.
Sanders testified that he believes Proposition 8 and similar laws have discriminatory intent.
He said the laws have the effect of saying, “We don’t think that you folks have the same type of relationship or love each other as much, so we’re not going to allow you to be married.”
During cross-examination, Brian Raum, a lawyer for Proposition 8 sponsors, showed a 2008 campaign television advertisement that alleged that same-sex marriage advocates stole campaign signs, defaced a church and assaulted Proposition 8 donors.
Sanders said he doesn’t condone violence, and that he doesn’t have firsthand information about the allegations in the video.
Julia Cheever, Bay City News
Julia Cheever, Bay City News
Okay, we get it, this paper believes in gay marriage
Right.
And the objective position would be ignoring the mayor of one of California’s largest metro areas going against many in his party and speaking out on a topic of intense interest.
Keep drinking the Kool-Aid.
This story is about a Father’s love for his daughter and wanting her to have a happy life.
As much attention as you crave g, this is not a story about an importunate romantic oaf like yourself.
If you’re struggling with the diversity that is America, may I suggest that you go back to where your ancestors came from and take your family…it time for you and your BS to moveon.com.
There’s is nothing like the love of a father or a mother for their children! This is the kind of love that makes America GREAT!
Cheney has a lesbian daughter too, and he is not for gay rights at all. In fact, his lesbian daughter is part of the GOP!
Please. This media source is bombarding pro-gay articles. Don’t pretend these are all coincidental human interest stories. I actually have no problem with gay people. I have a problem with dishonest bias
In the grand scheme of things, who cares.
There is so much pain in Haiti right now.
I just think this article is silly.
Who reads the Pleasanton Weekly to inform themselves of state and federal matters?
PULEEEEEEEEEEASE
Lisa, I think this story is great for people of Pleasanton to read. This town is rampant with homophobia and it’s disgusting to see how adults act towards people like myself that are gay or friends. There are more gay people in this town than most realize. From what I’ve heard from friends that live here and aren’t completely out of the closet, they would rather live in silence because of the comments people make than having to deal with derogatory statements. This Prop 8 trial goes a bit deeper than just simply asking for civil rights. However, being granted civil rights (which is a shame that I have to even state this, ‘grant rights’) will hopefully lesson the taboo and social stigma. And yes, a large portion of citizens in this town want gay be to be “hush hush.” I went out to lunch recently with a friend and we were discussing my ex and being gay; the looks I received were amazing but all I can do is smile back and show people that I’m not some freak. Better yet, the people that go out to Redcoats, Sunshine, or Popi Lounge are even worse.
Anyway, as I stated already this trial brings more lessons to life than simply politics and how our government works.
Hey Mr. Homosexual, not everyones gonna like you or your behaviors. Get over it. You minority special interests need to stop your whining and realize that respect is earned, not demanded
You have not earned very much here, GS.
Maybe I ain’t trying to earn your respect, cuz I don’t respect you. On the other hand, if I wanted it, I’d earn it
interesting how enlightened people can pigeon hole others and yet not
consider themselves prejudice.
Right back at ya pal
Sorry John, I thought you were talking about me
Gunslinger – you “don’t have any problem with gay people”? Is this not your comment from another topic related to an event in SF just today:
Posted by Gunslinger, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, 6 hours ago
Queer kiss-ins for baby-killing! How perfect.
And you wonder why we lump all you selfish, immoral freaks together.
How do you treat those you DO have a problem with?
Okay – I personally don’t care who a person loves, that should only be between the two involved BUT (ya knew it was coming right?) BUT – I don’t agree that it should change the current definition. Marriage is the HOLY (church related) service – so if you don’t fall within the guidlines of the church you don’t get the title they apply.
Come up with a new term – garriage maybe – for gay/marriag) and leave the holy people with their term. You get what you want and so do they. I believe in the “state ” recognizing the union – I don’t think the church needs to be forced to comply. It’s the religious part – you don’t comply with them and they shouldn’t be forced to comply with you. The state on the other hand should recognize your connection.
Maybe it should just be called “coupling”. Legally coupling. ???
Maybe you come up with a different religion – the mormons did … can’t you just try it from that angle. I think these people don’t want to be force fed to live by someone else’s rules. Same issue as abortion if you ask me – it’s mostly religious morals right????
I dunno – it’s just another dumb opinion to try to make peace – BUT then I guess neither group is looking for peace. Accept each other as you are. Stay out of peoples bedrooms.
I don’t go around deliberately showing people how hetero I am. Live in peace.
Gunslinger, not everybody is going to like you or your behaviors but you don’t see people standing on street corners demanding you to give up your rights. I don’t think gay people are asking to be “liked”- we want civil rights and to be recognized by this Nation. There are many people recognized by this Nation, but does every single person like everybody else? No. I’ve never once demanded respect for someone else- all I believe in is treat others the way you want to be treated. However, when I go out of my way to make polite conversation with people I went to high school with at a bar and then I get nasty, homophobic comments and reactions, how do you think I’m gonna react? Do you think I’m going to get on my knees and be inferior to people? No, I’m going to continue to smile and be polite, even if that person is rude and homophobic.
As for this marriage issue- if anyone looks up it, you’ll find many definitions. There is not one sole definition that says marriage is a religious act. What do you say to the people who were married in a court house? Or to people who eloped and are married for 45+ plus years? Are they not entitled to call their union ship a “marriage” just because they didn’t stand on alter with a priest, praise a higher being (God), and follow some book with “rules”? The definition of marriage is a social construct and not everyone is going to fit into that mold- gay, straight, bi or whatever. Gay people ARE NOT asking for all churches to recognize their relationships. As I’ve said before, I would never want to get married in a church or place of worship that doesn’t accept people that are gay.
Instead of me and the rest of my community needing to get over it, I think people that continue to tell other’s how to live their lives need to get over themselves. Gay people DO NOT CARE if you don’t like us. We will NOT invite you to our gatherings, ceremonies, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries etc. We will NOT have some magical power that will make people think “O my, my life changed- a gay person got married.”