" Featuring an all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Kevin Bacon and others, "8" is a play written by Academy Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and directed by acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner. It is a powerful account of the case filed by the American Federation for Equal Rights (AFER ) in the U.S. District Court in 2010 to overturn Proposition 8 [LINK], a constitutional amendment that eliminated the rights of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. Framed around the trial's historic closing arguments in June 2010, 8 provides an intimate look what unfolded when the issue of same-sex marriage was on trial."
Today, Justice Vaughn Walker issued a historic decision in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case challenging Prop. 8.Walker’s ruling striking down Prop. 8 is clearly a milestone victory for all gay, lesbian and bisexual Californians, our families and our friends. But much more than that, it is a resounding affirmation of fundamental American ideals and core principles of the U.S. Constitution.
The LA Gay Center and Basic Rights Oregon (BRO), as well as other progressive and civil rights organizations warn that this is not the end of the dispute. We can't just sit back and assume this decision will stand and that equal rights will reign. However, each decision in favor of equality in the legal institution of marriage, can bring us one step closer to it being a reality. It is unrealistic to expect that the opponents will give up. I know that the issue here in Oregon of equal treatment comes up very often in our initiative system. Each time something is voted down, those teaching/preaching hate against LGBTQ people come back out with a new approach. Or join forces with other groups. Or go national.
So, this is a victory - yes. And there are already new actions that have been started. This is an important victory, though. And, perhaps, it is one step toward someday being viewed as equal in terms of our commitments and our rights.
The following is one ad from BRO on the issue.
Let's celebrate this victory. And not let down our guard. Rest and recover - because we are not done yet.
