Today marks the beginning of a trial in Federal Court that will challenge the constitutionality of Proposition 8.
Ted Olson and David Boies, two high-profile lawyers (who worked the Bush v. Gore 2000 opposing one another) representing two same-sex couples who were denied the right to marry, are challenging Proposition 8′s federal constitutionality and believe that it should be repealed.
“This unequal treatment of gays and lesbians denies them the basic liberties and equal protection under the law that are guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution,” their suit states.
According to the suit, Proposition 8:
- Violates the Due Process Clause by impinging on fundamental liberties
- Violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Singles out gays and lesbians for a disfavored legal status, thereby creating a category of “second-class citizens.”
- Discriminates on the basis of gender.
- Discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation.
The trial is supposed to be made available for viewing tonight on YouTube, so if you are interested in watching the hearing minute by minute be looking out for that!
You can also show your support without even leaving your chair by “attending” on the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210238489967&ref=ts