Appeals court sets hearing on Proposition 8

A federal appeals court Monday scheduled a two-hour hearing on Proposition 8, California's anti-gay marriage initiative, for Dec. 6.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has asked attorneys on both sides to devote the first hour of the hearing to arguments on whether anyone has legal authority to appeal the August district court ruling that found the measure unconstitutional.

The second hour will be spent on questions of the measure's constitutionality.

California voters resurrected the state's ban on same-sex marriage in November 2008. The ruling against the measure by a federal judge in San Francisco is on hold pending the 9th Circuit's decision.

RELATED:

Voters approve ban on same-sex marriages

Judge declares Proposition 8 unconstitutional

Proposition 8 opponent testifies about importance of marriage

Backers say ruling overturning gay marriage ban may apply to only 2 couples

-- Maura Dolan in San Francisco

Comments

[steveMD2]

Almost always it has been the courts that have ended evil discrimination against groups not in power.

And almost always it has been the "anything but" christians who want to keep their rights of discriminating against minorities and others they despise.

These are the same people who would turn this country into a saudia arabia - christian style. Where hands are lopped off for stealing, and heads are lopped off for gay activity. All of course in the name of God.

the same people whose main difference between them and the 9-11 ers is they haven't taken flying lessons.

We've been her before - crushing slavery, segregation, t he kkk, ending male dominance of voting, and banning laws that came from ideas like inter-racial marriage would destroy the family.

Same garbage today - different victims - the gays. I've met hundreds of gay people, and am close friends with about 8 of them.

They have enlightened our lives, and at the same time horrified us with the relevations of how they and their friends suffered horribly. And every last one of them knew gays who committed suicide, and most of these people were close to at the same time. All of course due to endless direct and subtle persecution.

Thanksgiving is coming, and in our family, the tradition is that we invite a few gay people to join our extended for thanksgiving.

We should all be doing the same.

And understand that marriage is not just about legal benefits, but its about respect. Something we were all supposed to learn from someone who commanded us to "love thy neighbor as thyself"

Yet it is the relgious people, a minority of them, who somehow manage to hate and despise and find endless ways to demonize minority groups. All off course in the name of God.

Its time for all of us to put this sad chapter of American history in the trash heap along with the other so similar crimes.

And embrace our gay friends, family, etc as just another part of humanity. People who are part of God's test to determine who of us - the majority -goes where in the next life.

[morenvi]

Oy, so, do you feel better now that you've gotten all that off your chest...? Now, either take a quaalude or a hit of pot and breathe out all that bad energy...

My only disagreement is negatively generalizing about "christians" and "religious people". Not all religious-minded people are intolerant nor hateful, especially those that understand basic religious teachings that to love is more insightful than to hate. Nor do all religious denominations denounce homosexuality.

It's usually the more politically-focused and wealth-driven denominations (which in itself is actually counter to true religious teachings) that tend to participate in such practices. Maybe you should classify these people and their followers for what they are: fundamentalists or indoctrinated religious extremists.

In the meantime, enjoy your holidays!