California Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Proposition 8 But Denies Stay in Gay Marriage Ban
At the urging of both sponsors and opponents of Proposition 8, the justices granted review of lawsuits challenging the Nov. 4 initiative. Approved by 52 percent of the voters, Prop. 8 restored the definition of marriage – a union of a man and a woman – that the court had overturned May 15.
In today’s order, the justices let Prop. 8 remain in effect, denying a stay that would have allowed county clerks to resume issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples until the case was decided. No hearing has been scheduled.
But, a stay was DENIED, meaning gay marriage in California remains banned.
The order is here. (Pdf)
In other items of interest in the order:
- The motions to intervene in the cases by Proposition 8 Official Proponents et. al. are GRANTED.
- Briefs are due on or before December 19, 2008. Replies by January 5, 2009.
- The issues to be argued and briefed:
- Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to the California Constitution? (see Cal. Const.,art.XVIII, §§ 1-4.)
- Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution?
- If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?
- Amicus curiae brief application and brief are due on or before January 15, 2009. Reply to amicus curae brief is due January 21, 2009.
- Justice Moreno joins the order but voted to stay proposition 8.
- Justice Kennard would deny these petitions without prejudice to the filing in this court of an appropriate action to determine Proposition 8’s effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before Proposition 8’s adoption.
California Supreme Court Justices, from top left, Kathryn Mickle Werdegar, Carlos R. Moreno, Joyce L. Kennard, Marvin Baxter and from lower left, Ming Chin, Chief Justice Ronald M. George and Carol Corrigan
- Chief Justice Ronald George
- Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar
- Justice Joyce L. Kennard
- Justice Carlos R. Moreno
Chief Justice George and Justice Moreno stand for reconfirmation to another twelve year term of office in November 2010.
Justices dissenting from the original decision to end the gay marriage ban are:
- Justice Marvin Baxter
- Justice Carol Corrigan
- Justice Ming Chin
The original May 2008 decision which California Propsoition 8 overturned by Constitutional amendment is here.(Pdf)
Stay tuned…..
Technorati Tags: California Supreme Court, Gay Marriage, California Proposition 8
7 Comments
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Fashion
I personally find this kind of absurd. All people should have a right to live their lives they way they want
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Joseph H Garrett
I hope you aren’t antagonistic towards Bible thumpers. The book’s teachings are, after all, the foundation of most of western man’s law making.
In connection please see Genesis 19:5-6, Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, Judges 19:23-26, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Timothy 1:10, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, & Jude 7. These are the only biblical passages that deal with homosexuality specifically and, I submit, should not be ignored. Some people want the court to intepret Scriptural generalities, such as “God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16) as justification to ignore what His words says specifically about nearly anything that they want inserted in their agendas de jour. These are attempted usurpations designed to establish a lawful basis for behavior that’s part and parcel of the hedonism that characterized the 2,200 years with which these passages dealt. Scriptural generalities should not be construed as contradictions of Scriptural specifics. E.G. That “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16) does not contradict what He’s said about the subject of illicit sexual behavior – of the homosexual variety or otherwise. The courts need to provide us with legal authority that’s based on a moral order, nothing less, and since the majority of Californians want that view reflected in the state’s constitution I submit that they should not have the court stand in their way.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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