http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/prop8/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:44:44 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418370/posts A federal appeals court reaffirmed its ruling Wednesday that allowed sponsors of California's ban on same-sex marriage to withhold campaign strategy documents from gay rights advocates who are seeking to overturn the ballot measure. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Dec. 11 had overturned a judge's order to produce the documents, ruling 3-0 that their disclosure might discourage participation in future campaigns and inhibit strategists from speaking candidly. . . . Proposition 8, amended the California Constitution to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, overturning a May 2008 state Supreme... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418370/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:44:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409972/posts Judges of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will vote soon on whether to reconsider their decision last week denying gay rights advocates access to internal communications of Proposition 8 supporters who succeeded in getting voters to ban same-sex marriage last year. In a terse announcement filed this evening, the three judges who denied the access, citing 1st Amendment grounds, said one of the 27 active judges on the court had called for a vote to rehear the issue with a full 11-member panel of judges. The call for the rehearing vote could signal dismay by at least one... Los Angeles Times Blogs http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409972/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:41:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2407897/posts SALT LAKE CITY -- A conservative think tank is hoping the Legislature can help protect people of faith living in Salt Lake City after two discrimination ordinances were passed. The ordinances protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in housing and employment. Sutherland Institute president Paul Mero says churches and some organizations have exemptions. The exemptions are for religious freedom and expressive association. That means a church corporation doesn't have to hire someone who is gay if they don't want to. Expressive association means the company doesn't have to hire someone who does not fit into their culture - for example,... KSL.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2407897/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:46:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405980/posts Appeals Court Denies Gay Marriage Supporters' Bid For Prop. 8 Communications December 11, 2009 A federal appeals court panel today denied gay marriage supporters' demands to see internal campaign communications among Proposition 8 supporters, ruling that to do so would violate the 1st Amendment's guarantee of freedom of association. Lawyers for two gay couples challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the voter initiative in California that banned same-sex marriage after a five-month period last year when it was legal, had sought disclosure of e-mails and other communications to show that backers of the ballot measure had tried to create "discriminatory... LATimes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405980/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:07:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405908/posts SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal appeals court in San Francisco has reversed a judge's order that backers of Proposition 8, the state initiative that banned same-sex marriage, give their campaign strategy documents to opponents trying to overturn the measure. In a unanimous ruling today, the Ninth U.S. Circuit of Appeals tossed out the order that Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued in October against backers of Prop. 8, which state voters approved in November 2008. Walker had said lawyers for two same-sex couples and a gay-rights group were entitled to see internal memos and e-mails between Yes on 8... San Francisco Chronical http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405908/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:03:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405652/posts Lesbian nominee approved by Senate committee despite pro-family outcry Washington D.C., Dec 11, 2009 / 12:48 pm (CNA).- Despite the complaints of her critics that she supports same-sex "marriage" as well as previously endorsing polygamous relationships, the Senate HELP Committee on Thursday approved the nomination of Chai Feldblum to be one of five commissioners on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and sent her nomination to the Senate for a full confirmation. “At this time of challenge, Americans need committed, capable public servants working full time on their behalf,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and... Catholic News Agency http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405652/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:10:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402491/posts St. Paul, Minn. — A group of Twin Cities Quakers has decided to stop signing marriage certificates for opposite-sex couples until the state legalizes gay marriage. "We're simply trying to be consistent with the will of God as we perceive it," said Paul Landskroener, clerk of the Twin Cities Friends Meeting, in an interview with MPR's All Things Considered on Monday. The congregation will continue to hold both opposite-sex and same-sex weddings at its meeting house, but will no longer sign the legal marriage certificate for opposite-sex couples. Instead, couples will need to have the certificate signed by a justice... Minnesota Public Radio http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402491/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 01:16:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2401443/posts A Campaign of IntimidationCOLLEEN CARROLL CAMPBELLSt. Louis Catholics heading into the Cathedral Basilica for Mass last Sunday got a taste of what their counterparts in California experienced last fall: protests intended to shame churchgoers for their church's opposition to gay marriage. Archbishop Robert Carlson Like the gay-rights activists who heckled and chanted outside Catholic, evangelical and Mormon houses of worship after California voters approved Proposition 8, those who demonstrated outside the Cathedral last weekend were incensed about the role that religious leaders played in defeating another state's push for same-sex marriage. The target of activist ire in this case... CERC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2401443/posts#comment Sun, 6 Dec 2009 12:52:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399966/posts SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge probably violated the Constitution when he ordered backers of Proposition 8, the initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California, to give their campaign strategy documents to opponents trying to overturn the measure, an appeals court said Thursday. The Ninth U.S. Circuit of Appeals in San Francisco suspended the order that Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued in October against backers of Prop. 8, which state voters approved in November 2008. Walker said lawyers for two same-sex couples and a gay-rights group were entitled to see internal memos and e-mails between Yes on 8... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399966/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 05:29:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399457/posts Two prominent groups backing same-sex marriage – the California-based Courage Campaign and Lambda Legal, a national legal organization for homosexuals headquartered in New York – announced earlier this week that attempts to repeal Proposition 8 by qualifying an initiative for the 2010 ballot should be postponed because of insufficient popular support. California voters approved Prop 8 in November 2008 by a margin of 52% to 48%. The initiative, a constitutional amendment, overturned a 4-3 state supreme court decision declaring unconstitutional legal restrictions on same-sex marriages. Prop 8 added a provision to the state constitution restricting marriage to between one man... California Catholic Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399457/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 17:29:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2398456/posts The City of San Francisco is hard up for cash, so they’ve decided to steal it from the Archdiocese of San Francisco because they can – nakedly, in broad daylight, without the slightest plausible legal pretense. The Church is openly hated and condemned in San Francisco for its support of Proposition 8 and its defense of human sexual morality in general. The City can steal from the Archdiocese because the City needs the money and because it makes the citizenry happy to stick it to the evil Catholic Church.Here’s some backstory from a previous post: When you sell a piece... Catholic Key http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2398456/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 15:43:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398140/posts SAN FRANCISCO -- The American Civil Liberties Union, which supports marital rights for gays and lesbians, is siding with opponents of same-sex marriage who are challenging a judge's order to turn over campaign documents from last year's effort to pass Proposition 8. Foes of the voter-approved initiative hope the documents help them prove that the ballot measure was rooted in bigotry and was therefore unconstitutional. The ACLU's Northern California chapter, which supports the lawsuit, nevertheless filed arguments with the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals saying the court-ordered disclosure could endanger people's freedom to speak freely while planning political campaigns.... San Francisco Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398140/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 03:08:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397420/posts The effort to get same sex marriage on the California ballot in 2010 took a hit Monday. Rick Jacbos, the leader of the 700,000-member Courage Campaign just told us that after spending more than $200,000 on "qualitative research" into the issue in California that "We do not see a path to victory." So, the Courage Campaign sent a note to its supporters Monday calling for "for more research and time to change hearts and minds before returning to the ballot." Lambda Legal, a LGBT legal organization, said largely the same thing Monday. Jacobs told us that the research -- led... SFGate: Politics Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397420/posts#comment Tue, 1 Dec 2009 05:48:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2394660/posts With the LDS church’s recent endorsement of a gay rights ordinance in Salt Lake City, many have begun speculating that the church is on its way to changing its policy on same-sex marriage. Not so, say BYU professors of religion and political science. Last week, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publicly endorsed a city ordinance that bans housing and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The BYU professors interviewed said that although the church supports tolerance and equality, it does not approve of homosexuality. Kent Jackson, associate dean of Religious Education, said the church is... BYU Daily Universe http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2394660/posts#comment Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:43:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2390864/posts We, as Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians, have gathered, beginning in New York on September 28, 2009, to make the following declaration, which we sign as individuals, not on behalf of our organizations, but speaking to and from our communities. We act together in obedience to the one true God, the triune God of holiness and love, who has laid total claim on our lives and by that claim calls us with believers in all ages and all nations to seek and defend the good of all who bear his image.... While the whole scope of Christian moral concern, including... First Things http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2390864/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:50:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391424/posts More than 150 leaders across a spectrum of conservative Christianity on Friday released a 4,700-word document vowing civil disobedience if they are forced to take part in "anti-life acts" or bless gay marriages. Called the "Manhattan Declaration," the six-page, single-spaced document was drafted by Prison Fellowship founder Charles Colson, an evangelical, and Princeton University professor Robert P. George, a Roman Catholic, and included a bevy of Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox bishops, archbishops and cardinals as signatories along with dozens of clergy and laity. Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl is one of the signatories. "Throughout the centuries, Christianity has taught... Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391424/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:12:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2386596/posts Below is an informative piece by my friend Gary Glenn of the American Family Association of Michigan about the awful decision by the LDS Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to support legislation granting legal protections based on homosexuality. Gary of AFA-Michigan writes: A Shocker from Salt Lake City: The LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Church now officially endorses so-called “gay rights” laws, specifically a Salt Lake City law prohibiting “discrimination” on the basis of “sexual orientation” (homosexual behavior) and “gender identity” (cross-dressing). From the official LDS Church website: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-supports-nondiscrimination-ordinances ASSOCIATED PRESS: “Mormons throw support... Americans for Truth http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2386596/posts#comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:54:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385728/posts A California man wants divorce outlawed. John Marcotte has filed for a ballot initiative to protect traditional marriage in the state of California as an extension of the work related to Proposition 8, the voter-approved constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. In essence, Marcotte's project would legally ban divorce. "Marriage is an important and sacred institution, and I'm just trying to safeguard it in really the most direct way possible," he states. He says he needs the help of California's registered voters in acquiring "700,000 valid signatures, which likely translates into 1,000,000 [signatures] total."... One News Now http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385728/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:10:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2385439/posts (RNS) With the passage Tuesday (Nov. 10) of nondiscrimination laws in Salt Lake City that expand gay rights, Mormon officials and gay activists have found a patch of common ground. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gay organizations both advocated for the laws, which prevent discrimination in housing and employment. SNIP The Sutherland Institute, a Salt Lake City-based conservative think tank, expressed disappointment in the church's action. "As a public relations opportunity, the LDS church's statement before the Salt Lake City Council may assuage the minds and soften the hearts of advocates of 'gay rights' in Utah,"... Religion News Service (Beliefnet.com) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2385439/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:39:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2384160/posts Gay rights legislation in Salt Lake City receives its first ever endorsement by the Mormon church. Salt Lake City, Utah (WiredPRNews.com) - The passage of gay rights legislation in Salt Lake City, Utah was supported for the first time by the Mormon church. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the church announced its support of laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing and employment prior to a vote on the legislation Tuesday. Michael Otterson, the director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is quoted by the AP... WiredPRNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2384160/posts#comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:51:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383779/posts Salt Lake City has become the first Utah city to offer housing and employment protections for gays and lesbians — an action supported by the Mormon Church. The City Council, in a unanimous vote Tuesday, passed a pair of nondiscrimination ordinances that would bar landlords and employers from discriminating based on sexuality — a protection not currently afforded under state or federal laws. In a rare public appearance before local lawmakers, a representative from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints read a supporting statement at a public hearing before the Salt Lake City Council regarding the ordinances proposed... Deseret News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383779/posts#comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:01:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383630/posts Salt Lake OKs Gay Rights Ordinances Mormon church — which opposes same-sex marriage — backs laws SALT LAKE CITY - With a historic endorsement from the Mormon church, the Salt Lake City Council unanimously passed a pair of ordinances making it illegal to discriminate against gays. Tuesday's action was the first time the Utah-based church — which has been steadfast in its opposition to gay marriage — has publicly supported gay rights legislation. "The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage," Michael Otterson, the director of public... AP Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383630/posts#comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:02:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381563/posts The most effective man fighting to deny the right of gay marriage in America is Frank Schubert of Sacramento. Schubert ran the successful Yes on Proposition 8 campaign last year, the initiative banning gay marriage in California. This week, when Maine voted to repeal a new law allowing gay marriage, Schubert was again the pivotal organizer. If conventional wisdom on gay marriage inevitability were a balloon, Schubert would be the needle. His win in California galvanized Yes on Prop. 8 believers from the right and left - from black to white to Latino and Asian. His win in Maine halted... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381563/posts#comment Sun, 8 Nov 2009 17:12:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2379298/posts Last night, by a comfortable margin of 53-47%, the citizens of Maine became the 31st state to vote down gay marriage (as has every single state that has given its citizens a chance to vote on the issue). Not surprisingly, the mainstream liberal press is beside itself with frustration, especially because it drives yet another nail in the "inevitability" and "wrong side of history" arguments we are often fed. As I wrote on National Review this morning, Maine voted for traditional marriage "despite it being a liberal state, despite a 2-1 funding disadvantage, despite aggressive legal action against traditional-marriage... American Papist http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2379298/posts#comment Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:08:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2378479/posts PORTLAND, Maine — Voters on Tuesday repealed the state’s same sex marriage law after an emotionally charged campaign that drew large numbers to the polls and focused national attention on Maine. In a defiant speech to several hundred lingering supporters, No on 1 campaign manager Jesse Connolly pledged that his side “will not quit until we know where every single one of these votes lives.” Bangor Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2378479/posts#comment Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:25:51 GMT