Proposition 8 and Same-Sex Marriages: From Coast to Coast

On May 26, 2009, while President Obama announced his recommendation of Sonia Sotomayor in Washington, D.C., the California Supreme Court provided its own headline. 

The Court upheld Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriages in the state of California.  Law students, therefore, joined hundreds of protestors both outside the Courthouse and City Hall.  Still, as both voters and courts now agree on the issue, it seems unlikely California will recognize same-sex marriages in the near future.  On May 28, 2009, Sacramento KRXQ 98.5 FM radio hosts, Rob Williams and Arnie States, furthermore, expressed their dismay for the acceptance of transgender children.    

In response to Williams and States’ comments, however, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., Sonic Corp., and Chipotle Mexican Grill cancelled their advertising contracts with KRXQ.  Unlike California, New Hampshire is additionally scheduled to become the sixth state to recognize same-sex marriages.  Finally, following the California Supreme Court’s decision, Ted Olson and David Boies filed a federal lawsuit to overturn the ruling. 

Some members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community are, therefore, hopeful Olson and Boies’ action will lead to equal rights.  Still, other members of the community are weary to leave the decision with the courts.  In the meantime, Pacific McGeorge and UC Davis Lambda Law Students remain hopeful and recently marched in the Sacramento Pride Parade on June 20, 2009.