California Supreme Court Prop 8 Ruling Challenged, Cases to be Heard in U.S. District Court

On Tuesday, May 26, the California Supreme Court ruled six to one in favor of upholding Proposition 8, the state amendment that denied same sex couples the right to marry.  The initial passing of Prop 8 in November 2008 also revoked the 18,000 marriage licenses granted previously in California.  Although the Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, it ruled to recognize the 18,000 marriage licenses that were granted prior to the Supreme Court's decision.

Tuesday's decision caused an uproar when thousands took to the streets in major cities all across America to rally against Prop 8.  Organized by Robyn Tyler, a plaintiff in one of three cases filed against the State of California, the "Day of Decision" rally brought together congressional district leaders, LGBT rights organizations, members from LAMBDA Legal, LGBT citizens and straight allies to send a clear message that the fight for equality is not over.

Day of Decision rallies merely took a seat behind other breaking news in the media when President Obama nominated the first ever Latina to the U.S. Supreme Court the same day as California's ruling on Prop 8.

Tyler announced in a statement to Daily Queer News on May 27, 2009:

"No civil rights movement has ever lost.  Never.  We will win.  It’s not an “if” its a when.  Only we are going to have to fight like hell.  Shame on the California Supreme Court.  Six of them, except Justice Moreno, issued a cowardly decision based on one word...not amendment, not revision, but re-election.

I pledge that my wife Diane Olson and  I, and the 18,000 other couples who were married in the California prior to Nov. 5, 2009, will be part of a grassroots army of love warriors, and will never stop fighting until all of our rights are won, here in California, and on a Federal level for all of us in every State. Let us take our anger, and our passion to the streets, and never, ever get off. And if the National Democratic party does not, after 35 years of promises to our community, make sure we have full equal rights in this country, the gay divorce you are going to see is the gay communities divorce from the Democratic party.   We are a civil rights movement.  It’s time we acted like one."

The three cases filed against the State of California have now been elevated and are set to be heard federally in a U.S. District Court on July 2, 2009, sources say.

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California Supreme Court Upholds Prop 8, Denies Same Sex Marriage

California Supreme Court announced its decision today to uphold Proposition 8, denying same sex marriage in the state.

All marriages held prior to the ruling will remain valid.

National protests are being held tonight (May 26).  For information on a rally in your city, visit www.dayofdecision.org.

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California Supreme Court to Decide on Prop 8 Tuesday May 26 @ 9 a.m. PST

Proposition 8, the California state bill that denied and revoked same sex marriage licenses, will go in front of the Supreme Court today at 9 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

The controversial bill has received millions of dollars in funding from right-wing conservatives leading up to the initial passing of the state constitutional ammendment during the 2008 November election.

While millions of people worldwide rejoiced at the election of President Barrack Obama, millions of others were shocked at the result of Proposition 8, especially in a seemingly liberal state like California.

Expect to watch live coverage of the Supreme Court's decision on CNN.

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Remembering Stonewall: 40 Years of Gay Pride

It's hard to believe, but 40 years have passed since the Stonewall riots in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City.

In June 1969, eight police officers entered the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street to "randomly" check IDs. One-by-one, the officers escorted gays, lesbians and drag queens out the door and into squad cars. At 1:10 a.m., the bar patrons fought back.

Apparently, one of the bar patrons uprooted a parking meter and wedged it against the door, trapping cops and agents inside. After wrecking the place, the police called in reinforcements.

Outside, someone had set a fire while the crowd grew in the small Greenwich Village streets.

For the next three days, queers of every suit, drag queens and allies stood outside Stonewall Inn, rioting, protesting and chanting "Gay Power".

The Stonewall Riots were the first time in history that the LGBT community stood up and fought back against an oppressive society. From this event, a new gay movement emerged where the gays finally had enough and demanded inclusion.

Year 2009 marks 40 years since the Stonewall Riots. The New York City Pride Parade on June 28 is sure to be the largest gay pride celebration of all time.

Today, the Stonewall Inn maintains its unique "dive" atmosphere in the Village; a place where gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders of all types meet for happy hour drinks, friendly games of pool and that "down home" feel only this establishment can afford. The Stonewall was recently rennoated and stands tall today.

I'm proud and happy to say that, as a new New York City resident, I found my way to the Village a few weeks ago and had a few drinks at Stonewall. It was both surreal and comforting all at once. The bartender was very friendly, as were my fellow barstool mates. Lesbians played a game of pool behind me, while I sipped on a Blue Moon on draft.

To commemorate 40 years of Pride, Bitchy Teez has designed a collector's edition T-shirt. Grab yours today and wear it with pride. Only $22 - order online now! http://www.cafepress.com/40years.386299235

Other 40 Years of Pride merchandise is available, too:

www.cafepress.com/40years

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