The present ban on same-sex marriage gets heard in a California federal court today to determine the issue of allowing gay marriage. Plaintiffs have purportedly made it known their intentions of taking the issue of same sex marriage all the way to the Supreme Court should the judiciary derail their efforts at allowing gay couples to marry. Although only five other states have allowed same sex marriage, it has all been the result of judicial decisions or legislation. No popular vote in any state has yet permitted gay marriage.
The one tweak to today’s court case is that it is going to be aired on YouTube. This is the first time a federal case has been permitted to be broadcast online which begs the question, why is this being done? Courts have historically been an open affair, permitting the public, media and others to come and view proceedings whenever they choose. Proposition 8 supporters have vigorously opposed the televising of the trial believing it would subject their supporters to “harassment.” Prop 8 opponents support the distribution of the content citing the First Amendment as the main reason there is no reason to deny the trial to be aired. The judge has the power to determine what scope the cameras may or may not be allowed.
The attorneys believe the case should last two weeks but there is no doubt the issue itself will reign for generations of debate and controversy. Note that the case will be taped and then posted to YouTube. You won’t find it live, but you can always check here for updates.
[*** UPDATE: THE US SUPREME COURT HAS BLOCKED THE CASE FROM BEING BROADCASTED ONLINE UNTIL JUSTICES HAVE MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE ***]
As of January 1, New Hampshire will become the 6th state to allow gay marriage. The law recognizes out of state gay marriages and civil unions which are legal. Although the New Hampshire legislature voted to reject the bill earlier in the month, they changed language in the revised one that passed allowing clergy and religious institutions the right to decline to marry same-sex couples.
