Temporary Ban on California Gay Marriages

A California appeals court has extended the ban on gay marriage until the end of this year.

After US District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the ban was unconstitutional, weddings were to begin today at 5pm.

However, opponents took the case to the 9th District Court of Appeals last night, successfully arguing that the ban should stay in place until they have appealed.

But the court also demanded that gay marriage opponents must argue why they have the legal standing to bring the case to court.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown are the legal defendants in the case but both have refused to support it. Last week, they both called for Judge Walker to lift the ban immediately.

The main defenders of Proposition 8 were groups such as ProtectMarriage.com, which led the campaign to get the issue on the November 2008 ballot.

In their appeal, gay marriage opponents argued that the vast majority of countries around the world restrict marriage to heterosexual couples as it serves a "vital societal interest".

Equality California executive director Geoff Kors said in a statement: "We are extremely disappointed that loving same-sex couples will have to wait to marry, and that we are once again being denied our fundamental rights.

"However, we are optimistic for a favorable ruling, and we?re hopeful that same-sex couples will be able to marry as soon as possible."
Earlier this month, Judge Walker ruled that the ban was unconstitutional. Last Thursday, he ruled that ceremonies should begin again, giving opponents a week to appeal.

His ruling after a three-week trial in the spring, in which gay groups argued that allowing gay couples to marry would protect their children and give them more political power.

Around 18,000 gay couples married in 2008, before the ban came into power.

Further appeal proceedings against the lifting of the ban will take place on December 6th.

Experts expect the case will come before the Supreme Court in two years' time.

Stars Celebrate Overturning of California's Gay Marriage Ban

It's been a heavily debated topic for almost two years, but it took just a few seconds for celebrities to Tweet their cheers when Proposition 8, a ballot measure passed in November 2008 that banned same-sex marriages in California, was ruled unconstitutional Wednesday by a federal judge.

Here's what Hollywood had to say after U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker in San Francisco struck down Prop 8:

• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: "This decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves."

• Ellen DeGeneres: "Equality won!"

• Portia de Rossi: "I am ecstatic that proposition 8 has been overturned in the state of California. This is an incredibly exciting and historical day and a big step towards equal rights for all."

• Lance Bass: "Congrats on the overturning of Prop 8!!!!"

• Pink: "It’s a good day!"

• Ricky Martin: "YEAHHHHH!!!!! PROP8UNCONSTITUTIONAL MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!!"

• Kelly Osbourne: "so happy over the news on prop8 its about time!"

• Kim Kardashian: "Prop 8 was struck down! This news is amazing!!!! Its about time! Congrats to everyone!"

• Shanna Moakler: "Tonight we celebrate! EQUALITY and LOVE for all! This is so much bigger then [sic] marriage, it's about wisdom, compassion and knowing we CAN be heard, action DOES make a difference!"

• Samantha Ronson: "Song Of The Day: Let's Get Married- Jagged Edge."

• Paris Hilton: "What a huge historical day for equal rights in this country! They finally overturned Prop 8! There shouldn't be a law on true love. :)"

• Sophia Bush: "A MAJOR step forward. Everyone deserves the right to love whomever they choose. I am proud to be from Cali again!"

• Rose McGowan: "Yay! No more Prop H8! I wanna be a flower girl in a wedding asap!"

• Fran Drescher: "Congrats to CA for c-ing the light & rising above prejudice. u had me worried there! When Iowa is cooler than Cali, it's time to recalibrate!"

• Milla Jovovich: "Gay Marriage law overturned in CA!!! Thank god good ppl are being treated equally again! Now we need the rest of the US to follow!"

Still, not everyone cheered the decision. Some proponents of the proposition expressed their disappointment.

"Judge Walker's ruling overturning Prop 8 is an outrageous disrespect for our Constitution and for the majority of people of the United States who believe marriage is the union of husband and wife," conservative politician Newt Gingrich said on his Web site.

The legal fight is expected to continue with an appeal by supporters of Prop 8.

Did Ricky Martin Date an Anti-Gay Closet Case?

A Spanish-language tabloid claims that Ricky Martin used to secretly date Chasing Papi star Eduardo Verástegui, a Latin model, actor and singer. Verástegui is no stranger to gay rumors. But he was also the face of California's "Yes on 8" campaign against gay marriage.

The tabloid TV y Novelas claims the two were a couple when they were both in the closet. Like Martin, Verástegui also started out in a boy band, but he went on to star in Spanish-language TV shows and lots of shirtless photoshoots. According to this report he went right-wing around 2006 and made an anti-abortion message movie and even palled around with John McCain. It culminated in this commercial supporting California's Proposition 8, which eventually passed and robbed gay folks in the state of legally tying the knot.

Now this information is all very speculative. Who really knows if supermarket tabloids are ever right (even though the Enquirer taught us they often are), or whether or not Verástegui is even gay. (The gay rumors are numerous but of the standard variety.) What we can say is that it's great that Ricky moved on from this dude and eventually found his way out of the closet. Denying who you truly are can seriously messed up things to your head.

Stars Voice Disapproval Over Gay Marriage Ban

Lance Bass, Ellen DeGeneres and Kathy Griffin have all voiced their disapproval at California officials' decision to uphold the state's gay marriage ban.

On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court opted not to overturn the ruling which came into effect under the Proposition 8 legislation late last year - six months after gay marriages were declared legal.

And celebrities, both gay and straight, have made it known how strongly they disagree with the current law.

Gay singer Lance Bass released a statement, saying, "I can only hope to one day live in a country that grants equal rights, opportunity, and freedom to all citizens."

And DeGeneres, who married her partner Portia de Rossi just before the ruling was overturned, believes it will be looked back on with contempt in the future.

She says, "I'm sure you heard the Prop 8 news. One day when everyone is treated with full equality, we'll look back and realise how wrong this was."

And comedian Kathy Griffin spoke of her pride in her grandmother who took to the streets to protest Proposition 8.

She explains, "My 89 year old mother has asked me to get her a wheelchair to take her to a protest tonight, even though she isn't in the greatest of health.

"She is neither gay, nor the parent of a gay person, but she is as passionate about this decision as I am. I am so proud to march with her. Shame on the CA Supreme Court for this decision that history will not look back on fondly."

Ellen DeGeneres & George Takei Allowed To Stay Wed

Ellen DeGeneres and George Takei's 2008 same sex marriages will stand, despite a new ruling to uphold the ban on gay weddings in California.

The California Supreme Court has opted not to overturn the ban which came into effect late last year, six months after gay marriages were declared legal thanks to a May decision.

During the legal window on same sex marriages, DeGeneres wed girlfriend Portia De Rossi and Star Trek actor Takei exchanged vows with longtime partner Brad Altman.

At a ruling in court on Tuesday, officials declared those gay couples who wed between May and November last year will be considered married.

The people of California voted to overturn a ruling to allow gay marriage on November 4th.

Gay leaders in the state now plan to take their fight to federal court.

Responding to the latest development, DeGeneres, who wed De Rossi in August, says, "One day, when everyone is treated with full equality, we’ll look back and realize how wrong this was."

California Supreme Court to Announce Prop 8 Decision Today

The California Supreme Court will announce its decision on whether Proposition 8, the initiative that banned gay marriage in the state, is constitutional today at 1:00 pm (ET).

Gay marriage was legalised in California in summer 2008. However, Prop 8 defined marriage as being between a man and a woman last November. Supporters of gay marriage say the initiative is unconsitutional and discriminatory.

The issue is over whether a voting majority can overrule minority rights previously recognised by the court, as it had previously declared that gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry.

Eighteen thousand couples rushed to tie the knot during the time gay marriages were legal in the state. The court must also decide whether to uphold those marriages.

Vigils and marches have been planned for this evening to either celebrate the ruling or protest against it.

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa and Maine now allow gay couples to marry.

Portia de Rossi: "I Cried When Prop 8 Passed"

Portia de Rossi has spoken of her sadness at the passing of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the actress, who married chat show host Ellen DeGeneres last August, admitted to crying when the initiative was passed in November.

She said: "I cried. I just remember being so excited when Obama was elected, it was just such an amazing moment . . . I just remember going to bed thinking, 'Prop. 8? . . .And I woke up in the morning to the news that it passed. And I was shocked and I was deeply saddened."

When asked about the possibility the legality of her marriage could be affected, she said: "It [the marriage] still stands. Maybe it could be, it could be overturned."

"I don't know. I just really think that when people really understand that this is a human rights issue and that there are a percentage of people living in this country that don't have the same rights as everybody else, I think that people will be compelled to make sure that they live in a country where every single citizen has the same rights."

The Ally MacBeal star added: "People magazine put us on the cover when we got married. And that felt like something big happened. That felt really good to me, that they could show two very happy gay people . . . I feel like we kind of get all the same stuff that any heterosexual couple would get in the public eye. And that is great, that is wonderful."

November 15th is National Protest Against Proposition 8 Day

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Ellen DeGeneres Saddened Beyond Belief Over Proposition 8

Ellen DeGeneres says that she was “saddened beyond belief” when she learned that Proposition 8 had passed in California.

Proposition 8 will ban same-sex marriages in the state and call in to question the legitimacy of nearly 16,000 gay and lesbian marriages—including DeGeneres’ marriage to longtime girlfriend Portia de Rossi. The proposition was passed by just over 52 percent.

“This morning, when it was clear that Proposition 8 had passed in California, I can’t explain the feeling I had. I was saddened beyond belief,” DeGeneres said in a message posted on her website. “Here we just had a giant step toward equality [with the election of Barack Obama] and then on the very next day, we took a giant step away.”

The proposition specifies that only marriages between a man and a woman will be recognized and it will rewrite the states constitution with those stipulations. Attorney Matthew D. Staver says that he believes California’s same-sex marriages will be annulled. “Constitutional amendments are retroactive,” he told People magazine.

Proposition 8 drew opposition from many other celebrities including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Steven Spielberg and Lindsay Lohan.

Christina Aguilera Speaks Out Against Proposition 8

It's great to see how the entertainment community has gone out and shared with the world their opposing view of California's "Proposition 8" results.

Here's a YouTube video of Christina Aguilera sharing her opinion.

Ugly Betty Supports Gay Marriages

Ugly Betty star America Ferrara is the latest Hollywood star to publicly oppose a measure that would ban gay marriage in California.

She has appeared with co-stars Tony Plana and Ana Ortiz on Spanish language TV stations in an advert for No on Prop 8.
The statewide ballot on election day next Thursday seeks to overturn the state Supreme Court's ruling in May that same-sex couples are legally entitled to marry.

Internet companies Google and Apple, powerhouses of the California economy, have also backed the campaign to defeat Proposition 8.

Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg have both donated funds to No on Prop 8.

Yesterday California's senior United States Senator, Dianne Feinstein, appeared in an ad for the group. "It changes our constitution, eliminates fundamental rights, and treats people differently under the law," she said.

"We are so moved to have the strong, trusted and independent voice of Senator Feinstein joining the chorus of those voting no on 8," said No on Prop 8 Campaign Director Patrick Guerriero. "California voters know that Senator Feinstein speaks from the heart and it matters when she urges voters to reject this unfair initiative."

Earlier this week Maria Shriver, the wife of Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, publicly expressed her support for same-sex marriage in the state.

Last week a Public Policy Institute of California found Proposition 8 losing 52% to 44% among likely voters.

4% are undecided. In polls taken in August and September by the institute found double digit leads for opponents of the measure.

Proposition 8 would amend the state Constitution to "eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry."

In May the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages in the state. The Court voted 4 to 3 to strike down the ban.

Opponents of gay marriage raised more than a million signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot.

California's First Lady Backs Gay Marriage

Maria Shriver, the wife of Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, has publicly expressed her support for same-sex marriage in the state.

A ballot measure on election day, November 4th, seeks to ban gay and lesbians from getting married.

Proposition 8 has the support of church groups in California and many Republican politicians.

"I believe in people's right to choose a partner that they love, and that's a decision that I have come to, and I have felt that way for a long time," said Ms Shriver, a niece of former President John F Kennedy.

Her husband has also publicly opposed Proposition 8.
Computer giant Apple has declared Prop 8 a civil rights issue and donated $100,000 to the campaign to defeat it.

Google has also publicly backed gay marriage.

"We strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation," Apple said in a statement.

Last week a Public Policy Institute of California found Proposition 8 losing 52% to 44% among likely voters.

4% are undecided. In polls taken in August and September by the institute found double digit leads for opponents of the measure.

Proposition 8 would amend the state Constitution to "eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry."

In May the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages in the state.
The Court voted 4 to 3 to strike down the ban.

Opponents of gay marriage raised more than a million signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot.

Apple Donates $100,000 to Fight Prop. 8

Apple Inc. is donating $100,000 to fight Proposition 8, which aims to end same-sex marriage in California by amending the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

"Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights -- including the right to marry -- should not be affected by their sexual orientation," the company said in a statement posted on its Web site Friday.

Apple joins Google, which came out publicly against Prop. 8 last month. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page reportedly have donated a combined $140,000 to fight the measure.

In revealing its support, Google officials voiced similar points, saying the company sees the issue as one of equality and is opposed to the elimination of fundamental rights.

"While we respect the strongly held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument, we see this fundamentally as an issue of equality. We hope that California voters will vote no on Proposition 8 -- we should not eliminate any one's fundamental rights, whatever their sexuality, to marry the person they love," Brin said.

It is not common practice for either company to take a stand on political measures. It remains to be seen what effect the move might have on Proposition 8 supporters, who might avoid doing business with companies that oppose the measure.

Ellen Buys Airtime to Plead for Gay Marriage

Ellen DeGeneres has bought $100,000 of TV airtime in California to ask the state's voters to support gay marriage.

Ellen is one of several high profile Hollywood stars to get married in California after the State Supreme Court decided in May that gay and lesbian couples could do so legally.

In her TV ads Ellen, who came out as a lesbian in real life and in her sitcom Ellen in 1997, says that the supporters of a ban on gay marriage are "twisting the truth."

Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot on November 4th. It would amend the state Constitution to "eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry."

In May the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages in the state. The Court voted 4 to 3 to strike down the ban.

Opponents of gay marriage raised more than a million signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot.

Following her wedding to actress Portia de Rossi in August, Ellen made a plea to other Californian's to vote no to the proposition.

"I got to do something this year I never thought I’d ever be able to do. I got married. It was the happiest day of my life," she said. "There are people out there raising millions of dollars to try and take that right away from me. You’ve seen their ads on TV. They’re twisting the truth, and they’re trying to scare you."

"I believe in fairness. I believe in compassion. I believe in equality for all people. Proposition 8 does not. Please, please, vote NO on Prop. 8."

Several celebrities have donated money to the campaign to reject Proposition 8 including the mayor of LA Antonio Villaraigoso, Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Pete Wentz and TR Knight.

When Ellen DeGeneres came out eleven years ago in an episode of her self-titled sitcom, she made history, scored a ratings landslide and almost instantly became a target of the Christian Right. Her series was cancelled a year later due to sagging ratings.

DeGeneres appeared on the April 14th 1997 cover of Time magazine with the headline, "Yep, I'm Gay."
Her onscreen character, Ellen Morgan came out during the April 30th 1997, episode of the ABC sitcom Ellen. The episode went on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing.

Ellen currently starts in a own talk show "Ellen" which is syndicated throughout the US.

Ellen DeGeneres urges California to Vote NO on Propostion 8

Comedienne and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres made an appeal on The Tonight Show, showing her support for gay marriage.

In November, Californian citizens will vote on Proposition 8 of the state constitution, which would define marriage as existing between one man and one woman only.

If the proposition is rejected, gay marriage will remain legal in California.

Following her wedding to actress Portia de Rossi earlier this year, Ms DeGeneres made a plea to other Californian's to vote no to the proposition.

She said: "I got to do something this year I never thought I’d ever be able to do: I got married. It was the happiest day of my life."

"There are people out there raising millions of dollars to try and take that right away from me."

"You’ve seen their ads on TV. They’re twisting the truth, and they’re trying to scare you."

"I believe in fairness. I believe in compassion. I believe in equality for all people. Proposition 8 does not."

"Please, please, vote NO on Prop. 8."

Several celebrities have donated money to the campaign to reject Proposition 8.

Mayor of LA Antonio Villaraigoso, Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Pete Wentz and TR Knight have all made contributions.

(Article from Pink News)