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Marriage Equality and Proposition 8

Compiled by Howard Israel

S/he Said

"Although the Constitution permits communities to enact most laws they believe to be desirable, it requires that there be at least a legitimate reason for the passage of a law that treats different people differently. There was no such reason that Proposition 8 could have been enacted. All that Proposition 8 accomplished was to take away from same-sex couples the right to be granted marriage licenses and thus legally to use the designation 'marriage.' Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gay men and lesbians in California."
-Judge Stephen Reinhardt, in the 2-1 decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a federal judge's decision that Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution, http://www.nytimes.com, Feb. 7. Prop 8, passed by CA voters in November 2008, placed a specific prohibition in the California State Constitution against marriage between two people of the same sex.
Read the full article here

"Our society does not operate in an amoral or value-less vacuum. To flourish, it must be infused with moral direction that is grounded in the truth. Of course, the true meaning of marriage, like the gift of human life, is ultimately not subject to a vote or court ruling. But in California, as in every other state where marriage has been put to a vote, the people justly upheld the truth of marriage. How tragic for California, for the nation, and especially for children, that this correctly-informed judgment has now been set aside."
-Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, of Oakland, CA, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, about the 2-1 decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a federal judge's decision that Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution, http://www.usccb.org, Feb. 07. Prop 8, passed by CA voters in November 2008, placed a specific prohibition in the California State Constitution against marriage between two people of the same sex.
Read the full article here

"No American's right to marry should be subjected to a veto from aggressive and well-funded religious groups. Our nation is a democracy, not a theocracy. Our laws should reflect equality and fairness, not discrimination and intolerance. Opponents of same-sex marriage have been unable to muster any arguments other than it offends their theology. We have a secular government, and dogma should not and cannot be transformed into law."
-Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, about the 2-1 decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a federal judge's decision that Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution, http://www.au.org, Feb. 07. Prop 8, passed by CA voters in November 2008, placed a specific prohibition in the California State Constitution against marriage between two people of the same sex.
Read the full article here

"Today, unelected judges cast aside the will of the people of California who voted to protect traditional marriage. This decision does not end this fight, and I expect it to go to the Supreme Court. That prospect underscores the vital importance of this election and the movement to preserve our values. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and, as president, I will protect traditional marriage and appoint judges who interpret the Constitution as it is written and not according to their own politics and prejudices."
-Mitt Romney, Republican presidential candidate, about the 2-1 decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a federal judge's decision that Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution, Associated Press, http://www.mittromney.com, Feb. 07. Prop 8, passed by CA voters in November 2008, placed a specific prohibition in the California State Constitution against marriage between two people of the same sex.
{URL Read the full article here
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/romney-slams-california-gay-marriage-ruling}

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Topics: Opinions
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