Category Archives: Ballot Measures

Prop 8 trial resumes today; defense to argue power and kids

Today begins Day 10, Week 3 of the federal trial challenging the constitutionality of California’s ban on same-sex marriages, Proposition 8. The day will begin with the final presentations from the Ted Olson-David Boies legal team.

Prop 8 defenders: No sharp line between gays and straights

The legal team defending California’s ban on same-sex marriages is in the very odd position of having to argue that most people—including heterosexuals—feel an attraction to people of the same sex at some time in their lives.

Mid-day report: Day 9 Prop 8 trial

Friday morning’s court session began with the surprising announcement by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker that he would delay the delivery of closing arguments in the case until at least several weeks after case is presented.

Boies grills Prop 8 supporter over attacks against gays

William Tam is what lawyers call an “adverse” witness. The head of a small coalition of Asian Americans in the San Francisco area who are opposed to same-sex marriage, Tam made a name for himself by propagating some of the

Mid-day report: Day 8 Prop 8 trial

Defenders of Prop 8 are continuing to draw out the trial with prolonged cross-examinations of the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses. One attorney acknowledged in court that the legal team’s case is “primarily” based on cross-examination and that defense plans to

Prop 8 trial: weak allies and powerful enemies

President Obama’s name keeps coming up a lot during the trial challenging the constitutionality of California’s same-sex marriage ban.

Mid-day report: Day 7 Prop 8 trial

The courtroom let out a collective gasp at the testimony: A 26-year-old gay man from Colorado recounted what his mother said to him—at the age of 13—when she found out he was gay.

Prop 8 opponents score hits against defense claims

Testimony in the Proposition 8 trial Tuesday began with emotional testimony by San Diego’s Republican Mayor Jerry Sanders and ended with a clear hit against the claim that same-sex marriages will somehow do harm to straight marriages.

Mid-day report: second Tuesday morning Prop 8 trial

Tuesday morning’s testimony in the Proposition 8 trial began with riveting and emotional testimony by San Diego’s Republican Mayor Jerry Sanders, but the legal team scored a big victory during more testimony concerning economics.

Prop 8 – Day 5: The defense stalls and pleads fear factor

It’s not often one hears these words in a federal courtroom: “Dyke. You fucking dyke. You’re going to die and go to hell.”