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Loading ...Constitutional lawyers, actors union latest to oppose Calif. gay marriage ban
10.30.2008 1:30pm EDT
(Los Angeles, California) The Screen Actors Guild has come out against a proposed amendment to the California constitution that would ban same-sex marriage, while 59 noted constitutional lawyers have issued a statement denouncing arguments being used by supporters of the measure.
The list of 59 law professors includes Erwin Chemerinsky, the Founding Dean of the University of California School of Law; Kathleen Sullivan, Former Dean of Stanford Law School; and Paul Brest, Dean Emeritus of Stanford Law School.“We recognize that people of integrity can differ in their views of the meaning of marriage,” the legal scholars said in a joint statement. “But people who want to take the right to marry away from same-sex couples should not rely on misleading claims about the current state of the law or about what Proposition 8 would do.”
The statement said that the proposed amendment, known as Proposition 8, “clearly discriminates against gay men and lesbians.” The constitutional experts also said that the California Supreme Court ruling that opened up same-sex marriage has “no effect on the tax exemptions of churches” as claimed by the backers of the amendment. The statement further noted that ruling has no effect on teaching or parental rights.
“As teachers of the law we feel an obligation to speak out when claims are made about the law that are simply and clearly false,” said Professor Pam Karlan, the Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law at Stanford Law School.
State Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), a member of the House Judiciary Committee said that “the Prop. 8 campaign can’t produce a single respected expert to back up any of their preposterous claims.
Meanwhile, a SAG union committee this week voted to oppose the measure.
“No actor should have to disclose his or her sexual preference in order to get health and retirement benefits,” said SAG Chairwoman Anne-Marie Johnson.
“Being legally married means everyone is treated the same. It’s important that we take a stand to protect all actors from discriminatory hiring practices and provide same-sex couples access to benefits.”
I don’t know if people know this but according to the DADT policy for the armed forces it is not allowed to be in a same-sex marriage or have attempted/attempt to same-sex marry.
Yep. I find it funny that “same sex marry” is a verb.
So grateful that we are hearing from the legal authorities regarding the lies and misinformation being spread by the Yes on Prop 8 campaign. Thank you for your stand! So much self-righteousness from the religiousa (and I mean only those who intend to block the legal rights of others). What happened to “Do unto others…” “Yes on 8″ supporters have no business voting out the rights of others. Imagine if we campaigned against your marriage? Imagine if someone invalidated YOUR marriage. Imagine if you could not marry the person you love. Just imagine.
[Quote] “No actor should have to disclose his or her sexual preference in order to get health and retirement benefits,” said SAG Chairwoman Anne-Marie Johnson.
……
Never liked the term “sexual preference”. It perpetuates the notion that “sexual orientation” is a “preferred choice”.
…We all know it isn’t and more and more scientific evidence supports what we already know.
I was never taught anything about marriage in school. I learned from others that marriage is a partnership founded on love. What message is the state sending when it does not let you marry?
The language used in these props are designed to mislead most folks. The armed services have been violating civil rights and liberties for ever. let em go. It wont be long and these arguement will be insignificant as to real problems we are facing today. When we marry, we will do it at the White House and they can all read ‘em and weep. Not a thing they can do then but complain to each other. It’s comming, they just can’t see it.