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were denied the right to marry, are challenging Proposition 8′s federal constitutionality and believe that it should be repealed.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

With this great news also comes some concerning news.  The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington last month threatened to cut their social service programs if the bill passed.  Now that that has happened, the Archdiocese is determined to stand strong on keeping its promise.  The Archbishop would cut homeless shelters, food programs for needy families, and health services rather than provide equal benefits for employees in same-sex marriages. 

Does that make any sense at all?  It doesn’t seem like the way of Jesus to use the needy and homeless as anti-gay pawns.  We will have to just wait and see if they actually follow through with this horrible threat.

We also have to wait a little bit longer to see if the bill actually becomes law.  The bill now goes to the Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has promised to sign it. The U.S. Congress then has 30 days to review the legislation. After that window passes, the bill becomes law!  We will definitely keep you updated on this situation, but all we can do for now is stay hopeful.

Despite Paterson’s efforts to fight for the right’s of homosexuals to marry, the same-sex marriage bill was voted down in New York on Wednesday.  Supporters of the bill predicted a close vote going into Wednesday’s Senate debate, but unfortunately the margin was a bit wider then expected.  By the unanimous voices of the Republicans and 8 of Paterson’s fellow Democrats, the bill was voted down 38 – 24.

Only one senator actually spoke in opposition to the bill during the debate.  Senator Ruben Diaz, a Democrat and Pentecostal minister, claimed “If we take it to the people, the people oppose it.” 

Sen. Ruben Diaz opposes same-sex marriage

Senator Eric Adams, a Brooklyn Democrat, fired back that most of the 31 states Diaz cited as voting against legalizing same-sex marriage “at one time or another sold blacks into slavery.  Because the majority is in one place does not mean they’re in the right place.  We’re in a position now where we have to lead the country to the right place.”

Sen. Eric Adams rallys for Human Rights

 New York would have been the 6^th state to legalize same-sex marriage, but now joins the others in denying same-sex couples the right to marry.  Despite this hiccup in the campaign for equal rights, we must recognize that each year the margin narrows more and more in the votes.  So yes, it may be dark now but we can definitely see the sun rising in the distance.