Gay marriage supporters disappointed over judge's decision to postpone weddings

At Kings Road Park in West Hollywood, about a dozen supporters of gay marriage had gathered to await the ruling – hoping to witness a wedding.

As noon approached, they began checking Twitter and Facebook and cheered when several gay rights' organizations tweeted that the stay had been lifted and marriages could resume. With the cameras rolling, West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John Durand, declared, "Come on down! We're back in the wedding business."

But about five minutes later, they became quiet after realizing the stay had been extended – at least through Aug. 18.

"Even though it's only one week, it gives the opposition another week to plan against us," said Robin Tyler, one of the original plaintiffs in the case to overturn the ban on gay marriage. "We went from euphoria to our hopes being dashed again."

-- Esmeralda Bermudez in West Hollywood

Photo: Paul Katami, left, and Jeff Zarillo share a hug with Diane Olson, smiling, and her wife Robin Tyler as they meet to announce their reaction to a federal judge's ruling to stay the order to rescind Proposition 8 for one week. Zarillo and Katami are plaintiffs in the case that challenged the anti-gay marriage law that was overturned recently. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Nick]

His ruling doesn't make a lot of sense. First he rules that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional, then he says that he agrees that denying the right to marry is harmful to same-sex couples, in other words it's denying them equal rights under the constitution. But then he lets Prop. 8 stand for a few more days. For what reason? What should it matter to him if the higher courts overrule him? He's already indicated that HE thinks it's unconstitutional and therefore harms same-sex couples.

[Rocco]

Hang in there honey. The ban will be lifted for good next week. And I must say I found the LA Times headline the most confusing of any of the online news services.

[Equal CA]

THIS IS WHAT YOU REPORT!?!?!? I am taking the LA Times out of my bookmarks. You're ridiculous. THE CALIFORNIA GAY COMMUNITY IS ECSTATIC THAT THEY CAN GET MARRIED NEXT WEDNESDAY @5PM!!

How dare you take this angle.

[desi4eva]

SAD DAY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS COM'ON LET THEM GET MARRIED!

They Have A Right

Peace

Ricky From Delivery Driver Jobs

[Roz]

It's the way the legal system proceeds -- slowly and deliberately in order to allow all people the opportunity to make their case. People are saying Walker's judgment was biased, but he is once again demonstrating his professionalism.

So opponents of gay marriage have been given the courtesy of one additional week to appeal the decision before the ban is removed. As the article reported, the judge stated,

"As it appears at least doubtful that proponents will be able to proceed with their appeal without a state defendant, it remains unclear whether the Court of Appeals will be able to reach the merits of proponents' appeal."

"In light of those concerns, proponents may have little choice but to attempt to convince either the governor or the attorney general to file an appeal to ensure jurisdiction." (Not going to happen.)

Walker said there was no evidence that the sponsors of Prop. 8 "face the kind of injury" required to have standing to file an appeal.

The important point is that the judge put a limit of one week for the opponents to file their appeal before lifting the ban. He is highly doubtful they will actually be able to file an appeal of any merit because they would have to find someone who can prove they will actually be harmed by gay marriage. (Also not going to happen.)

So I am not discouraged at all by this news.

[Greg]

Liberty and justice for some. Not all.
Change the pledge of allegiance to be honest.

[Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace]

It's time!

Onward to full civil and marriage equality rights in 21st century America.
Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace, Washington, Connecticut, USA.

CA joins Iowa, DC, CT and a few other New England states in supporting marriage equality......

[Jay]

I'm beyond perplexed why Judge Walker would deny immediate justice and allow those same-sex marriages to begin. I am married and can't imagine the pain that these couples feel in just trying to marry the ones they love.

[New England Wedding]

Hey, I'm not against this relationship because of some reasons that only the two of them know. But as a teaching of the church it is not a proper to have a same sex marriage of any relationship.