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Judge Vaughn Walker Prop 8 Decision To Be Released August 4

by Jordan Yerman | August 4, 2010 at 11:28 am

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Judge Vaughn Walker to Rule on Proposition 8

Supporters and opponents of California's Proposition 8, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, are awaiting Chief US District Judge Vaughn Walker's decision. The ruling will dictate whether or not Prop 8 is constitutional. A ruling against Proposition 8 would be saying that the measure violates homosexuals' constitutional equality. [Update: Judge Vaughn Walker rules against Prop 8 in Perry et al vs Schwarzenegger]

Regardless of Vaughn Walker's decision, this seems like a case destined to end up in front of the US Supreme Court, as it would decide whether or not access to legal marriage defines a separate class of citizen.

Lawyers defending Prop 8 have asked for a stay of the ruling if it is not in their favor:

"A stay is essential to averting the harms that would flow from another purported window of same-sex marriage in California," they wrote.

The San Francisco judge's ruling is expected to be released between 1 and 3 p.m. today.

Opponents of Proposition 8 have also filed a request for a stay, which would prevent the decision from having immediate legal effect.

Under court rules, there may be as much as a month's delay before the judge might act on such a stay request. If the judge denies a stay request, the losing side can quickly appeal to the 9th Circuit.

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LauraRossini (not verified)

at 12:31 on August 4th, 2010

I really hope prop 8 is overturned. This is an equality issue and Prop 8 is unconstitutional!!

Denise Rae (not verified)

at 13:11 on August 4th, 2010

There are many of those who favor it, and there are many of those who oppose it. But when the people of California have voted TWICE on this, and TWICE the majority has said they DON'T WANT GAY MARRIAGE LEGALIZED/RECOGNIZED, what more does it take for the losers of the vote to accept the majority of the people DO NOT WANT this. If you're gay and you want to 'get married', then go to another state where the majority has voted for it, and reside there. But quit trying to push this on a majority of people who don't want it.

strokenrse (not verified)

at 13:39 on August 4th, 2010

very happy that prop 8 was overturned. I was married durring the last window. To those who, say it is a right from God, Maybe I dont believe in your God, I definately dont want to get married in your church. I just want a marriage license to marry under the tenets of my religion. Think about this logically, Those of us who went to school learned early on that one thing is true in history; it repeats itself. It was not so long ago that African American individuals could not get married at all. This is where jumping the broom came from. ashorter time ago yet, Inter-racial marriage was againt the law, and even after it was legal an inter-racial couple was pulled from their home and beatten just for being married. Be carefull who you discriminate against, you never know next time it may be you who has to fight for thier rights, consider this, what if you got up tomorrow and they said christians, mormons, blue eyed boys etc. can no longer practice thier religion; or can no longer procreate. I have a dream of a world where my children can live in a world where, the will not be descriminated against for who they love. Relax folks its just sex, I dont care what you do in the bedroom, why are you so interested in our bedrooms. Focus on whats important, people who love each other enough to go out and march to fight for the right to marry. Tell me how exactly does this jepordize a heterosexual marraige?

Scotty P. (not verified)

at 02:26 on August 6th, 2010

Legalization of gay marriage was inevitable. It's no different than legalized abortion for any reason. It's the same as legalizing many drugs. It's the same reason the American government does alot of things that are wrong because a few PR seekers want to be politically correct for what the feel is "right" even though they are still wrong.Take a very close look at the example set by those that defended gay marriage. Take a look at those celebrity poster-childs that defended gay marriage. What kind of speech do they use? Do they use kind words or are they mean and cruel? (ie; Janice Dickinson) Are they sexually reckless and could care less about being loving and sexually responsible? (ie, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hiltion, and just about everyone in Hollywood)Take a good look at the example of those that sought legalization of gay marriage. Were they always humble? Did they show grace, humility, and patience? Or were they protesting loudly with idle speech, slinging arrogant religiously bigoted statements, or slandering innocent religious entities. Take a very good look, America, and you'll see why legalized gay marriage is not only wrong for California, but it's wrong for America and it's wrong for our children.