Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Via JMG: Reactions To Prop 8 Ruling





American Foundation for Equal Rights
Today’s order is yet another federal court victory for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples in California and around the nation,” said AFER co-founder Chad Griffin. “The final chapter of the Proposition 8 case has now begun. Should the United States Supreme Court decide to review the Ninth Circuit’s decision in our case, I am confident that the Justices will stand on the side of fairness and equality.” On February 7, 2012, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit concluded that Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Ninth Circuit panel majority held: "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples. The Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort.”
Human Rights Campaign
Once again, a federal court has affirmed that the cherished guarantees of our Constitution are there to protect all Americans – including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For over three years, the plaintiffs, the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies have shown tremendous fortitude and perseverance in their fight for marriage equality. With today’s announcement, we are one step closer to ensuring that gay and lesbian Californians – and, one day, our entire community nationwide – are able to join the institution of marriage and have their love and commitment respected equally.
Marriage Equality USA
The momentum for the freedom to marry seems unstoppable. Three weeks ago, the President of the United States announced his support for marriage equality. Last week, the 1st Circuit Federal Court of Appeals held that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. And today, the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals upheld its earlier decision striking down Proposition 8. Nationwide polls have shown majority support for the freedom to marry for the last two years, and Californians now favor marriage equality by a 59 – 34 percent margin, according to the latest polling.
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Today’s refusal by the Ninth Circuit to grant further review is a testament to the meticulous and well-reasoned opinion originally issued by the Court. While the supporters of Proposition 8 will now seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court, there is no doubt that they are on the wrong side of history. Excluding same-sex couples from the right to marry runs counter to our highest ideals of equality and fairness.
More reactions to follow as they arrive...

BREAKING: Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals DENIES Rehearing Of Proposition 8


Here's the ruling:
The full court was advised of the petition for rehearing en banc. A judge requested a vote on whether to rehear the matter en banc. The matter failed to receive a majority of the votes of the non-recused active judges in favor of en banc consideration. Fed. R. App. P. 35. The petition for rehearing en banc is DENIED. The mandate is stayed for ninety days pending the filing of a petition for writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court. If such a petition is filed, the stay shall continue until final disposition by the Supreme Court.
Reactions and analysis to follow shortly....


Reposted from Joe

Via Gay Politics Report:

Corporate support swings behind marriage equality
 
Starbucks, Microsoft, Boeing and Google are among a growing number of companies taking stands in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry, a development some say is emblematic of a major shift in corporate America’s approach to LGBT issues. “Earlier on there was more risk than reward. Now there’s far more talk about the reward and less about the risk,” said Bob Witeck, a consultant who advises corporations on LGBT issues. Another sign of the sea change in corporate thinking on the issue: Target is selling T-shirts with LGBT-positive messages to help raise money for the Family Equality Council, a group which is part of coalition fighting a marriage amendment in Minnesota. Politico (Washington, D.C.) (6/3), The Washington Post/The Associated Press

Via AmericaBlog Gay:

AFA hate group: "It is all together right to discriminate against homosexuals"

This is the same hate group that is threatening Target with a boycott over some Pride t-shirts the chain is selling. I'll say this for AFA, at least they're consistent in their hate.  They've said a lot of hateful things about Jews in the past.  And now they continue to pull no punches in their intolerance and bigotry towards gays. The thing is, AFA always ends up losing...

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 5, 2012

Building Faith, Building Commitment

For Buddhism, faith doesn't mean the blind acceptance of teachings as unquestionable dogmas. Rather, faith suggests a combination of trust in the Buddha as a fully enlightened teacher, confidence in the Buddha and in his guidance, and feelings of devotion and reverence towards the Buddha. This quality of faith is to be strengthened because it's what builds our own commitment to the entire practice.
- Bhikkhu Bodhi, "Recollection of the Buddha" (Tricycle Online Retreat, June 2012)
Watch Retreat Video