Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Schwarzenegger calls for same-sex weddings
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Schwarzenegger calls for same-sex weddings
By PAUL ELIAS,Associated Press Writer -
Saturday, August 7
Send
IM Story
Print
SAN FRANCISCO – Lawyers for gay couples, California Gov. Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown filed legal motions Friday telling a federal judge that allowing same-sex marriages to resume immediately in the state was the right thing to do.
The motions came two days after U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker struck down California's voter-approved gay marriage ban as unconstitutional.
In his 136-page decision, Walker said gay marriages should begin immediately. But later Wednesday, he agreed to suspend weddings until he could consider the legal arguments he ordered to be filed by Friday.
Opponents of same-sex marriage said they want Proposition 8 to stay in effect until their appeal of Walker's ruling is decided by higher courts.
They argued in court papers filed earlier this week that resuming gay marriage now would cause legal chaos if the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals or U.S. Supreme Court eventually reverse Walker's ruling.
The 9th Circuit received their appeal of Walker's decision on Wednesday, hours after the judge ruled that Proposition 8 violates the civil rights of gay Californians.
On Friday, Schwarzenegger and Brown were the first to urge an immediate resumption of gay marriage, which was legal in the state for more than four months before voters amended the California Constitution to outlaw it in November 2008.
The legal team of David Boies and Ted Olson, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of two gay couples that led to Walker's ruling, also submitted a motion in conjunction with the city of San Francisco, another plaintiff.
They all argued that since the judge declared Proposition 8 to be illegal, gay couples should be able to marry now.
Boies and Olson said gay couples "will continue to suffer irreparable harm if Proposition 8's irrational deprivation of their constitutional rights is prolonged."
It was unclear when the judge would decide whether to order the state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples or to grant a stay that would keep the gay marriage ban in effect during the appeals process.
Even if he does clear the way for same-sex couples to wed, lawyers for sponsors of Proposition 8 plan to ask the federal appeals court for an emergency order to prevent that from happening.
The governor and attorney general almost always defend state laws when they are challenged. But in this case, both refused to participate in fighting the lawsuit aimed at overturning the ban.
Brown is the Democratic nominee for governor on the November ballot and he previously called the ban unconstitutional.
Schwarzenegger has been more circumspect on his Proposition 8 position and his motion to immediately resume gay marriage was his boldest pronouncement on the issue.
"The administration believes the public interest is best served by permitting the court's judgment to go into effect, thereby restoring the right of same-sex couples to marry in California," lawyers for Schwarzenegger said in the legal filing. "Doing so is consistent with California's long history of treating all people and their relationships with equal dignity and respect."
Brown also said it's time for gays to begin marrying again.
"While there is still the potential for limited administrative burdens should future marriages of same-sex couples be later declared invalid, these potential burdens are outweighed by this court's conclusion, based on the overwhelming evidence, that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional," Brown said in his legal filing.
The outcome in the appeals court could force the U.S. Supreme Court to confront the question of whether gays have a constitutional right to wed.
Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Pellerin, president of the California Association of Clerk and Elected Officials, said county agencies that issue marriage licenses will be ready to serve same-sex couples whenever they get the green light.
During the window in 2008 when same-sex marriage was legal in California, the state changed its marriage license applications to be gender-neutral so applicants only had to check boxes indicating "bride" or "groom" if they chose to.
At the same time, Pellerin said local officials do not want to be in the position of being asked to issue licenses if Walker enforces his decision only to have an appeals court later impose a stay. It would be better for all involved to have the process be unambiguous, she said.
"We don't want to issue a couple who are in love and want to get married a $75 license and then turn around a minute or a week later and say that license is no longer valid," she said. "We don't want anyone to be in the position of being led down that path."
Walker presided over a 13-day trial earlier this year that was the first in federal court to examine if states can prohibit gays from getting married without violating the constitutional guarantee of equality.
Supporters argued the ban was necessary to safeguard the traditional understanding of marriage and to encourage responsible childbearing.
Opponents said that tradition or fears of harm to heterosexual unions were legally insufficient grounds to discriminate against gay couples.
Currently, same-sex couples can legally wed only in Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C.
___
Associated Press Writer Lisa Leff contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Ex-agent to test Naomi Campbell's diamond evidence AFP - Saturday, August 7
Colombia's new president to be sworn in amid tensions AFP - 35 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 39 minutes ago
"Several Americans" believed killed in Afghan shooting Reuters - 39 minutes ago
Two US, six German doctors shot dead in Afghanistan: police AFP - 57 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Latest jobs data is blow to Obama election hopes
US astronauts set for key ISS repair spacewalk
HP boss resigns amid sexual harassment claims
BP may re-drill near Gulf of Mexico oil well site
US economy sheds 131,000 jobs
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Wyclef Jean flying to Haiti to announce presidential run
Scientists find sea sponges share human genes
40 US billionaires pledge half wealth to charity
US attends Hiroshima atomic memorial for first time
Fannie Mae loss shrinks to 3.1 billion dollars
More Most Viewed »
Parachuting donkey shocks Russian beachgoers
Argentine students crack three-decade-old murder mystery
40 US billionaires pledge half wealth to charity
World's first full face transplant man appears on TV
Calcium supplements linked to heart attacks: study
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 7 August 2010 Afghan police: 10 bodies found in N Afghanistan
US-TECH Summary
France: Sarkozy's Gypsy crackdown begins
Gulf BlackBerry row lifts veil on state cyberspies
Smog from spreading Russia fires chokes Moscow
Smog from spreading Russia fires chokes Moscow
Swedish server host says helping WikiLeaks publish papers
Afghan parliamentary candidate's body found
UN talks flounder as climate impacts mount, say delegates
Venezuela signals thaw with Colombia
|
Watchers fear Google compromise on 'net neutrality'
Berlusconi 'to seek September confidence vote'
12 Afghan civilians, 1 NATO service member killed
US economy sheds 131,000 jobs
Sudan denies aid to camp devastated by fighting: U.N.
|
England on top after latest rout of Pakistan
Fourteen dead in prison riot in northern Mexico
|
Iran starts more efficient uranium enrichment: ISIS
|
Over 50 trapped in China gold mine fire: Xinhua
Two dead in Myanmar bomb blast: official
Vietnam denies US nuclear negotiations
HP CEO resigns after sex harassment investigation
|
BlackBerry maker and Saudis working on fix: source
|
Britain, Pakistan pledge unity in 'anti-terror' fight
Internet traffic talks collapse
|
China minister hits out at 'vulgar' modern culture
Hong Kong government appeals decision to free judge's niece
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Pakistan floods seen worsening as heavy rains loom
Back to the movies in former West Bank outlaw city
Chinese berry pickers protest in Sweden over pay: official
Chinese clothing firm launches on Frankfurt stock exchange
"Dora the Explorer" atop the world on 10th anniversary
Bavarian farmers kick up Olympic stink
Hyundai India sees higher local sales as exports fall
Stricken carrier JAL to sell most of hotel unit
Final Fantasy maker Square Enix reports quarterly profit
Wheels of justice: cutting India's legal backlog
In Zimbabwe, a good read is supplanted by need for a feed
Iranian film-maker Panahi to present film in Venice
Stay away order extended for Bullock stalker
|
Dora the Explorer atop the world on 10th anniversary
|
Beach Boy Brian Wilson takes on Gershwin
|
Back to the movies in former West Bank outlaw city
|
Two US, six German doctors shot dead in Afghanistan: police
Several Americans believed killed in Afghan shooting
|
Estonian hacker pleads not guilty to bilking cash
Condemned woman accuses Iran of lying over charges
Pakistan's Sindh on high alert for floods
|
Americans among 10 killed in northern Afghanistan
Latest jobs data is blow to Obama election hopes
HP CEO resigns after sex harassment investigation
Top U.S. court refuses to halt Khadr Guantanamo trial
|
Hewlett-Packard boss resigns amid sexual harassment claims
US astronauts set for key ISS repair spacewalk
Afghan police: 10 bodies found in N Afghanistan
China gold mine fire kills 14, 300 rescued: report
|
US appeals court nixes GPS tracking without warrant
Poll shows Australian government heading for poll defeat
|
HP boss resigns amid sexual harassment claims
Instant View: HP CEO quits after sex harassment probe
France names envoy to relaunch Syria-Israel talks
|
BP may re-drill near Gulf of Mexico oil well site
Venezuela signals thaw with Colombia, tensions linger
|
Saudi and RIM talks progress as BlackBerry ban looms
US economy sheds 131,000 jobs
Rescuers struggle to reach trapped Chile miners
|
Paraguayan president diagnosed with cancer
|
China's top diver Guo to skip Asian Games
China gold mine fire kills 16 workers
Thai 'Yellow Shirt' protesters gather in Bangkok
Lagging Australia PM calls truce with knifed ex-leader
Schwarzenegger calls for same-sex weddings
S.Korea conducts anti-missile training
Oregon girl not bitter after lemonade stir
More than 2,100 dead, missing in China floods
Unique exercise to test US-Russia hijack response
Emma Thompson admits to depression; taking sabbatical
Amy Poehler and Will Arnett welcome baby boy
Judge's personal life debated after gay ruling
AP Exclusive: New al-Qaida leader knows US well
HP CEO resigns after sex harassment investigation
|
Taiwan aborigines protest against resettlement
Heavy rain hampers flood relief in India's Ladakh
Apple to set up Japan Web warning on problem iPods
Britain, Pakistan vow unity against terrorism
"American Idol" judge job poses opportunities, risks
Sum 41 frontman injured in bar fracas
Bono back after surgery, U2 predicts record tour
Emma Thompson admits to depression; taking sabbatical
Amy Poehler and Will Arnett welcome baby boy
Beach Boy Brian Wilson takes on Gershwin
Stay away order extended for Bullock stalker
Bono back after surgery, U2 predicts record tour
|
American Idol judge job poses opportunities, risks
|
Amy Poehler and Will Arnett welcome baby boy
|
Emma Thompson admits to depression; taking sabbatical
|
Sum 41 frontman injured in bar fracas
|
Eight foreign medics shot dead in north Afghanistan
BlackBerry in deal to avert Saudi ban: telecoms official
Lebanon bent on building up army after Israel clash
Iraq forces take over from last U.S. combat brigade
|
Laxman hits ton to secure India Test win
Blackberry in deal to avert Saudi ban: telecoms official
Six police among seven killed in Iraq violence
Hewlett-Packard boss resigns after sex probe
Four Iraqi police die in Baghdad raid
Climate change sparks 'quickest evolution ever'
Russian troops dig canal to bar fire from atom site
|
Internet lifestyles leave digital estates for descendants
Six US, one British, one German killed in Afghanistan
Wall Street to keep close eye on key Fed talks
Lebanon bent on building up army after Israel clash
|
6 Americans on medical team killed in Afghanistan
Russia accuses U.S. of loose weapons control
|
Medical charity: 6 Americans killed in Afghanistan
Al Qaeda claims attack in Yemen oil province: Web
|
Americans among 10 killed in northern Afghanistan
Three killed in Thailand's insurgency-plagued south
|
Rock-solid All Blacks hold off desperate Wallabies
Hobbling Laxman hits ton to secure India Test win
Indonesia president says survived terror plot
Three killed in Thailand's insurgency-plagued south
Floods kill 132 in Kashmir, hundreds missing
Downpours hamper Pakistan flood relief for 15 million
Kazakhstan plans homegrown 'Borat' sequel: report
Exiled Indian artist's son keeps name alive with solo show
Australian PM meets ousted rival
India lends Bangladesh $1 bln
India's Mahindra says plans bid for Korea's Ssangyong
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights