The Daily Clog » gay marriage

They’ve Gotta Fight for Their Right to Marry

Cassie Myers — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:06:48 +0000

Everyone is talking about Prop 8 and same-sex marriage. It’s a contentious debate on both sides, and with gay marriage just defeated again in New Jersey, it’s a debate without an end in sight. Our state of California is joining the party again with a lawsuit. The plaintiffs are a Berkeley couple named Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier “along with Southern Californians Paul Katami and Jeffrey Zarrillo,” and they’re suing the state for their right to marry.

The trial, which began today, asks a question of constitutionality. Does Prop 8 “[violate] the U.S. Constitution by treating gay unions differently from those between straight people?” (Quick answer: yes.) But the Berkeley couple is doing more than simply filing a lawsuit–they’re testifying.

Either way, though, it’s certain to be an important trial. What’s more, “gay rights leaders say the two couples’ testimony will be pivotal in the case.” There you have it: Berkeleyans making history once again.

Image source: celesteh under Creative Commons
Berkeley couple to testify in trial [San Francisco Chronicle]

Election Brings Change, Not All of it For the Better

Ruby Elizabeth Lee — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:46:37 +0000

As student post-election jubilation flooded the streets of Berkeley, the nation celebrated the end of the Bush era, the election of our first African-American president and the purchase of Sarah Palin’s flight back to Alaska. But with the passage of Prop 8, California voters learned that while civil rights may be taking a great leap forward on the national front, it’s also taken a step back statewide.

The proposition which will ban gay marriage was passed with a 52% vote yesterday, effectively limiting a constitutional right and leading many to call for a succession of NorCal from the rest of the California. (OK, we made that last part up.)

Although the rest of the state may not agree with us, we can take solace in the fact that the proposition was rejected by 61.9 percent of Alameda County voters and that San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsom’s anti-Prop 8 rallying in Berkeley apparently had a positive affect on student voters. Now the fate of the over 18,000 marriage licenses issued to gay couples over the last five months lies in question. Retroactive constitutional amendment? That’s pretty low.

Earlier: SF Mayor Newsom Will Grace Steps of Sproul to Defeat Prop 8

Image Source: brainchildvn under Creative Commons
After Prop 8, Future of Gay Marriages Unclear [Daily Cal]

The News in Our Shorts: Beware of Tree Sitters

Patrici Flores — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:02:46 +0000

If you haven’t heard, we expect a ruling tomorrow on that whole tree-sit fiasco in front of Memorial Stadium. Meanwhile, UCPD and university-hired arborists are at work cutting down treewok supplies in hopes of eventually ridding the oaks of their longtime inhabitants. One tree sitter was forcefully extracted today after going Dracula on one of the arborists–yes, she bit him–while other tree peeps retaliate against the “intruders” by throwing bottles of excrement. Classy. Check out the Daily Cal article for a gold mine of hilarious quotes. [Daily Cal]

Kern “Middle-of-Nowhere” County–the home of infamously made-up child abuse hysterias created to instill fear in the masses–recently stopped all marriage ceremonies following the state Supreme Court decision on gay marriage on May 15. The owner of Cafe de la Paz on Shattuck Avenue caught wind of this and is now offering Kern County gay couples the chance to win a free ceremony and reception for 10–on the house. [CBS 5]

The bay’s lovely “Spare the Air” day program is retiring. Enjoy free bus rides all day on Thursday for the very last time–BART, trains and ferries will only be free before noon that day. On the bright side, 1,900 East Bay residents in 20 properties have received free bus passes! [Contra Costa Times]

Earlier: The News in Our Shorts: College On Crack