Gay Marriage Opponents File Suit in S.F.

[Khephra]

By LISA LEFF
Associated Press Writer

February 13, 2004, 1:54 PM EST


SAN FRANCISCO -- Opponents of gay marriage went to court Friday to stop an extraordinary act of ongoing civil disobedience in which San Francisco has issued nearly 100 marriage licenses to gay couples.

Weddings were continuing Friday and over the long holiday weekend -- despite the effort by the Campaign for California Families to obtain a restraining order that would prevent the city from issuing more licenses or performing more ceremonies inside City Hall.

more.................

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gay-marriage,0,3302601.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[David__77]

1. Hearing at 2pm... hopefully there's no injunction.

I would like these weddings to continue as long as possible. The more couples, the better.

[David__77]

9. Superios Court in SF will hear this... I think they'll take no action.

The judges who are going to hear the case are elected in SF. I can guess that they won't overturn this if they want reelection.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

13. Local news...

is saying it wil be Tuesday, with the holiday, before the group gets any injunction.

I went to City Hall to watch the ceramonies for a little bit today - it was GREAT! I'm hoping to go back tomorrow -- I'd love to bring some wedding cake to pass out. :)

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. Happiness and long life to all the Newlyweds!

Like Mayor Newsom, I welcome the court challenge :)

[Taeger]

3. I told you so

All this publicity will be destructive to Democrats. It allows Republicans to make "pro-family" associations with themselves and cast Democrats as "anti-family".

This is the WRONG strategy and it WILL backfire.

[Q3JR4]

5. I don't see how that's the case.

The Democrats are pushing for equality for ALL families. The Republicans are the ones who are trying to keep certain types of families from forming.

I don't really see a problem.

What I do see is 10 of the gay couples stepping forward to say, "My family meant nothing to the Republican legislature. The Democrats were the ones who fought for me and the ones I love. In the next election, vote Democrat."

[DuctapeFatwa]

6. If Democrats are opposed to equal protection under the law

They should stand up and say so, and vote to remove it from the Constitution.

They should not be afraid to speak up, and say what other groups should be denied which rights.

[David__77]

8. It's not "the Democrats" doing this. Can't you understand this?

It's not up to the Democratic Party. So either support it or oppose it. I support it.

[hunter]

10. Let it burn! Bring it on!

Same-sex marriage is about JUSTICE, it is about CIVIL RIGHTS.

The fearful, ignorant and idoltous Americans are now as King Nebuchadnezzar was in Daniel 3, before Shadrach, Mesach, and Abed-nego stepped out of the furnace.

I say we let these fearful, ignorant and idoltrous Americans fly into their rages, let THEM see that the fire is of THEIR OWN making, that it is THEY who commanded the furnaces be heated to seven times their usual heat, and that it is THEM who will suffer the consequences of the backfire...

This is a wonderful and righteous thing that is happening in San Francisco. I sincerely hope this does spread like wildfire, and that the fearful courtiers of idoltry and ignorance like John Ashcroft and Bill Frist find their political careers in ashes, and their black little souls deeply singed.

[bobbyboucher]

14. Reach.

What strategy is that?

[adamblast]

15. It's not a *strategy* at all. It's people getting married.

You seem to think this is about politics. Instead, it's about life--and civil liberties.

[foreigncorrespondent]

24. Taeger...

...with Bush*s AWOL scandal out of the bag now, he is totally washed up. If you think the queer community and our supporters are going to stand by and let Bush* and the GOP trample on our rights as human beings of this world, then you are sadly mistaken.

This isn't WRONG! And it will NOT destroy the democrats, unless people like you with in the party don't take a stand to support a minority groups rights.

It is because of stealth bigots like you, that the democratic party is becoming so torn.

Congratulations, you and people like you with in the democtatic party gave the GOP and Bush* exactly what they wanted!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. This morning's WP had a pic

of two women who were getting married after being together for 50 years. I hope they live to see their 50th wedding anniversary. :-)

[HawkerHurricane]

7. I fail to see...

how two people of the same gender getting married harms me or anyone else in any way. "It neither breaks my arm nor picks my pocket."

[Kool Kitty]

11. My sentiments exactly.

How does this nullify my marriage or make it less of a union? People that get divorced don't diminish other intact marriages, do they? I just don't understand the logic behind the anti-gay marriage people.

[jsw_81]

12. Whatever happened to local control?

The right-wingers are always screaming about local/state control when it comes to things like abortion and guns, yet when a city with a huge gay population like San Francisco decides to endorse gay marriage they run to the courts.

:shrug:

[adamblast]

17. What this does is force the anti-gay-marriage folks to break people up.

You can expect tons of mass media human interest stories in the next few weeks about these families--some with kids--fighting to stay together.

This shows the right wingers for exactly what they are.

They aren't defending marriage and the family. They're trying to break families apart.

[Calico4000]

16. Hmmm...

Correct me if I am wrong, but is it not true the federal courts with jurisdiction in CA (to which I am sure this will eventually be heard) are among the most liberal in the nation? If so, perhaps the CA marriage law will be overturned...

[adamblast]

18. In the long run, it's got a decent shot.

I expect they'll have no trouble finding a conservative judge to halt the process on Tuesday.

By then, however, there will be 500 or more couples legally married, at least according to one branch of the government.

The fight to remain married will be long and slow. But it's got a decent shot in the long run.

[David__77]

19. This is state, not federal court.

This is the Superior Court of San Francisco. They are elected judges I think, so are sensitive to public opinion. When the right pushes for elected judges, they probably didn't mean for this!

[Calico4000]

20. Long term

This could likely go before the federal courts. I'm thinking distant future here.

[confusionisnext]

21. yes

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, with jurisdiction over CA, is based in... San Francisco! Unfortunately, it is the appeals court most overturned by the Supreme Court, so I hear. Hence the derisive name "9th Circus Court."

[HawkerHurricane]

22. It's also the court

with the largest caseload, and makes the most decisions...
Percentagewise, it's no more overturned than any other circuit. It just hears so many more cases, it's in the news more often.

[adamblast]

23. Any court brave enough to take the heat over...

..."One Nation Under God" has my deepest respect. Maybe they actually get it. If the 9th Circuit Court has anything to do with this case, I'll be very encouraged.

[Robb]

25. I would expect these first challenges to be pitched

...out the door. I don't see how a LA-based or Arizona-based group would hold any sway in a SF courtroom. :shrug:

[Baclava]

26. What next?

I don't have a problem with same sex marriages. Why shouldn't gay people be as miserable as the rest of us.