BREAKING (10:05 PST): THE RULING STAYS! Prop 8 is UNCONSTITUTIONAL! CLERGY ON THE READY WILL BE PERFORMING CEREMONIES
Live blogging is very difficult, especially when you've got to follow something like Prop 8 in California. But it's got to be done. The news has hit the streets and reactions will be analyzed.
Ad infinitum.
But first, a message from our sponsor: marriage equality .
There's no doubt about it: marriage equality is the defining issue of the culture war as it stands. Not even abortion comes close. A panoramic view of how widespread it has become is needed.
There are six states, one district and one Native American tribe that recognize same-sex marriages: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont the District of Columbia, and the Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon. There are five state that recognize same-sex civil unions: Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. There are nine states that recognize same-sex domestic partnerships: California, Colorado, Maryland, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
There are nine court cases pending on marriage equality in California (federal appeals court), Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
There are nine proposals/laws pending involving state legislatures: Colorado, Iowa (proposed repeal) Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New Hampshire (proposed repeal) Rhode Island, Washington, and West Virginia [civil unions].
Marriage equality is on 5 state ballots: California (maybe), Maine, Minnesota [constitutional marriage ban], North Carolina [constitutional marriage ban], and Washington (maybe).
National foes of marriage equality include The American Family Association, The Family Research Council, the Catholic Church, Focus On The Family, the Mormon Church, The Southern Baptist Convention, National Organization for Marriage (NOM), Concerned Women of America, and the Tea Party.
Prominent politicians and political figures against marriage equality: Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann, Phyllis Schlafley, Sam Brownback, John McCain, and Chris Christie.
Prominent religious figures opposing marriage equality: Pope Benedict XVI, Pat Robertson, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Bishop Eddie Long, (prophet) Lou Engle, (historian) David Barton, Ken Copeland, Pat Robertson (700 Club), Bishop T.D. Jakes, Robert Jeffress (First Baptist, Dallas), and Richard Land (Southern Baptist Convention).
Chief media against marriage equality: FOX News, World Net Daily, and most Rupert Murdoch-owned media.
PROP 8
The California Proposition 8 saga will go down in history as one of the defining issues of our times. It consumed all of the culture warriors in the country, because: "as goes California, so goes the country." The state of California is the largest (population-wise) in the country (nearly 10%) and the sixth largest economic entity in the world. Whatever the Right/Christian Right says about California and its components (e.g. "Hollyweird"), it cannot deny California's influence" and the thing it hates about California the most: its diversity. California is everything to everyone.
When Prop 8 first reared its rather ugly head, the nation saw just how powerful -- and desperate -- the Christian Right was to maintain control over marriage laws. For the first time, one state's proposition drew (massive amounts of) outside money and people were bused across state lines to help with the campaign. Notable figures like Rick Warren filmed public service announcements. Battle lines were drawn. Prop 8 banners were either displayed prominently or vandalized.
"That was four years ago, this is now."
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