Same-sex Marriage Returns to California... soon.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Today we learned that Judge Vaughn Walker, who unilaterally overtured millions of votes last week by striking down California's voter-approved Proposition 8, denied the motion to stay his decision while the appeals process takes its course.

However, that doesn't mean that same-sex couples have already started marrying today, although thousands of same-sex couples lined up around the state in anticipation of making August 12, 2010 their wedding anniversary date. From the Judge's decision on the matter of the stay:


"That judgment shall be STAYED until August 18, 2010 at 5 PM PDT at which time defendants and all persons under their control or supervision shall cease to apply or enforce Proposition 8." - Judge Walker's Final Stay Order of August 12, 2010

So what that means, assuming that city halls and courthouses across the state close at 5 PM as most government offices tend to do, is that same-sex couples will not be able to marry until the morning of August 19th. That is essentially an extention of the Judge's original temporary stay by one week.

Now it hasn't been unheard of to see some city halls opening their doors early in order to permit same-sex couples to marry sooner. It wouldn't be a big surprise if some city halls decided to stay open into the evening or night on August 18th in order to allow same-sex couples to marry immediately once the judgement becomes official that Proposition 8 can no longer be enforced.

Proponents of Proposition 8 have already filed their appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Most importantly, the extention of the temporary stay by another week will perhaps give the legal team defending Proposition 8 the time they need to request and possibly recieve an injunction order from the Appeals Court that would effectively maintain the legality of Proposition 8 until said Appeals Court could issue a decision.

Either way, at this point same-sex couples are one week away from being able to marry each other but we will monitor the situation and provide updates whenever possible.

Should same-sex marriage resume in California, in the event that the Court of Appeals does not issue an injuction, then may we only wish that any same-sex marriages that do take place there be successful and bring happiness to our homosexual friends.

UPDATE: (11:25 PM August 16, 2010)

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an injunction against Judge Walker's ruling, effectively staying his ruling throughout the appeals process. This means that same-sex marriages will not be taking place in California anytime soon, although many city and county government offices were preparing to stay open late to perform such marriages.

The order itself can be found and read here.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Louis wrote: Should same-sex marriage resume in California, in the event that the Court of Appeals does not issue an injuction, then may we only wish that any same-sex marriages that do take place in California be successful and bring happiness to our homosexual friends.

You know, Louis, I have to give you "props" for this. That was a very gracious thing for you to say. At the end of the day, we should *all* want our neighbors to be happy.

Best from one who believes (just as did Rabbi Yeshua ben Yussef) that all people are her neighbors,
Fiona64

Timothy Kincaid said...

Before the supporters of Proposition 8 can receive any orders by the Ninth Circuit 3-judge panel, they will have to prove that they have standing to appeal.

This case was against the State and while the testimony and argument was substantially provided by intervenor-defendants, they did not establish standing in the case. They basically were invited in to provide legal argument under the notion that their legal counsel was likely to provide a stronger stance than the States.

But this is not their case; it is the state's. And the State has chosen not to appeal. And if they cannot show standing, then there will be no appeal.

But on behalf of California's gay community, thank you for your good wishes.

It's nice to see that you're finally realizing that, despite your personal prejudices, you should just wish for everyone to be happy. My marriage has no effect on you, nor will anyone else's. Maybe it's time to move on with your life and find a new, more worthwhile fight Louis. How about fighting poverty by running campaigns to feed and clothe underprivileged children? That would be a commendable undertaking.

BTW Louis, I suggest you read my latest blog entry. It might pleasantly surprise you.

Mark M. (Seattle) said...

Louis, that is by far the nicest closest to Christian thing you've said or written about 'us' ever. Thank you for that.
Bless your heart Louis.

....then may we only wish that any same-sex marriages that do take place there be successful and bring happiness to our homosexual friends.

Steve P said...

Louis, Maybe you could give some tips on how to post a factual, non-hysterical account of the day's events to your friends over at nomblog!

Anonymous said...

Well.. ummm.... the people you have spent so much time insulting, railing against, attempting to violate their rights, lying outright about... thank you?

Anonymous said...

Trust us, Louis. City and county offices in California will be staying open.

Mike said...

"...may we only wish that any same-sex marriages that do take place there be successful and bring happiness to our homosexual friends."

Well, we may never agree on anything, but for that statement thank you.

Anonymous said...

Judge Walker can be biased all he wants. His ruling will not change the hearts and minds of millions of Americans. I can guarantee you that even if gay "marriage" was legal, you'd have to kill us first before you make us accept homosexuality or perform an abomination against the Lord like that. We do not fear man, we fear the Lord...

So let them pass their tyrannical laws and pretend that this is about "equality". We will not bless nor heed such laws. They've simply wasted time and money...and in the end may even have to persecute us..but we will not yield. We will stand.

Timothy Kincaid said...

Anonymous,

That's fine. We really and truly don't care what you accept or don't accept. You can like us or hate us or something in between as long as we have the same legal access.

Blessing and heeding are immaterial to the law.

Anonymous said...

"if gay marriage was legal, you'd have to kill us first before you make us accept homosexuality or perform an abomination..."


Now THAT's some funny stuff!

Seems someone is forgetting what "the Lord" is all about. Love, compassion, acceptance. Since you're in the abomination sect, you might want to visit http://www.godhatesfags.com/ You will LOVE it!

Interestingly, the only people wasting time and money are the anti-SSM bigots. Gay marriage will become the law of the land - maybe next week, maybe in a year, maybe in a decade - but equality will win out over the "I speak for God" crowd.

You could all have fed thousands of starving people with the money you have spent on your ill-fated campaign against equality. What would Jesus say? Don't answer that - because you have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh, and as far as heeding such laws - what exactly would you be forced to heed? Marriage equality does not force any straight person to marry someone who is not of their own choosing. Your anger is a fallacy.

Please go crawl back under the rock from whence you came. You can fear "the Lord" much more effectively there.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Judge Walker can be biased all he wants. His ruling will not change the hearts and minds of millions of Americans. I can guarantee you that even if gay "marriage" was legal, you'd have to kill us first before you make us accept homosexuality or perform an abomination against the Lord like that. We do not fear man, we fear the Lord...

So let them pass their tyrannical laws and pretend that this is about "equality". We will not bless nor heed such laws. They've simply wasted time and money...and in the end may even have to persecute us..but we will not yield. We will stand.

How does that little song go, "Anonymous"? Oh yes:

And they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love.

I will be praying for you.

Love,
Fiona64

Anonymous said...

Anonymous says: "We will not bless nor heed such laws"...

LOL, How do you plan on not "heeding" a law like this? By not getting a same-sex marriage? ;)
--Grey

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