Lesbian.com, June 6, 2012
The long fought battle over same-sex marriage in California is now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorneys say the case could be reviewed by the high court this fall with a decision on the constitutionality of Proposition 8’s ban on gay marriage possible by next June.
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals set the stage for the final chapter in the legal skirmish by issuing a brief order Tuesday stating that a majority of the court’s active judges voted against reconsidering a three-judge panel’s decision to overturn the voter-approved 2008 state constitutional amendment. Three dissenting 9th Circuit judges who favored review called the panel’s ruling a “gross misapplication” of the law that “roundly trumped California’s democratic process.” The two judges who voted to overturn the ban last February reiterated Tuesday that their decision was limited to the situation in California.
“The end is now in sight,” said Chad Griffin, who started an organization that is financing the legal battle against Proposition 8.
Theodore B. Olson, one of the lawyers for two same-sex couples who challenged Proposition 8 in federal court, said, “We are not at the end of the line yet, but we are vastly closer.”
Until the Supreme Court acts, the 9th Circuit’s order will be on hold and Proposition 8 will remain in effect.
Janet Jackson announces transgender documentary project
Janet Jackson is making it clear that she can handle the “Truth.” The 46-year-old actress / singer has signed on as executive producer of “Truth” a film documenting the lives of transgender people around the world.
In a statement announcing the film, Jackson said that she is working on the project in an effort to stop discrimination against the transgender community.
“All people are very important to me. I’ve been fortunate to make friends and learn about very different lives,” Jackson stated. “‘Truth’ is our small chance to ask that you try and understand someone who lives their life in a way that is a little bit different from yours, even though all of our hearts are the same. We want to stop the hate and find understanding.”
“Truth” will be directed by Robert Jason, who previously directed a documentary for The Style Network on four transgender New Yorkers. He says “Truth” will feature stories from throughout North America, Europe, Australia and Latin America. The documentary is set to begin filming this summer.
Star-studded Prop 8 play airing nationwide
The gay marriage play “8” starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney will be available online and on the radio throughout June. The play is about the 2010 federal court battle against Proposition 8, the gay-marriage ban approved by California voters in 2008.
Relying largely on transcripts from court proceedings, “8” introduces viewers to the couples who challenged the California initiative, the attorneys who argued their case and witnesses who spoke out against them.
A recording by LA Theatre Works of the March 3 star-studded performance in Los Angeles will be broadcast in the coming days on 90.7 KPFK in Southern California, 89.7 WGBH in Boston, 91.5 WBEZ in Chicago, 94.9 KUOW in Seattle, 91.1 KRCB in San Francisco, 89.3 WPFW in Washington, D.C.; and over 100 other markets nationwide.
In addition to Clooney and Pitt, the Los Angeles edition also featured Kevin Bacon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christine Lahti, Jane Lynch, Martin Sheen and John C. Reilly. It was directed by Rob Reiner.
The Los Angeles production is also available for streaming, download and CD at http://www.latw.org/.
