The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has finally made the decision to accept the Perry v Hollingsworth Prop 8 case and the Edith Windsor DOMA case for review by the court. Briefs are to be filed before oral arguments are heard, most likely in March 2013 with a decision by the end of the current session in June 2013. Below is the text of the email I received from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffen announcing the news:
Dear Gerry,
The Supreme Court has just announced that it will hear arguments in the Prop. 8 case, Hollingsworth v. Perry.
What's also exciting is that the Court simultaneously announced it'll take up the Defense of Marriage Act. This means we'll finally get a ruling on this discriminatory law by next June.
A win in either of these cases would mark an incredible, decisive point in this movement's history, one I've been working toward since I helped bring the Prop. 8 case as co-founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights.
Extreme right-wing leaders are going to immediately rally their base around today's announcement – claiming the Court can't outpace public opinion.
Thankfully though a majority of Americans support marriage equality. We have to counteract the other side with one booming, united voice for marriage equality.
Sign HRC's Majority Opinion petition now: "We are the majority of Americans. We stand for marriage equality and the end of DOMA."
The Supreme Court has ruled 14 times that marriage is a fundamental right and with this historic first – a marriage equality case before the Supreme Court – they have a chance to move us toward a more perfect union, as they have done so many times in the past.
The clock is ticking and we have little time to show the Court that if it rules in favor of marriage equality, it'll be reflecting the values of America's fair-minded majority and the momentum this cause has earned recently at the ballot box.
We've come too far to give up now. The plaintiff couples of the Prop. 8 case, Kris Perry & Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo, have won their case twice before – in a federal district court in California and again in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year. I've been amazed by their courage since we first began planning this case back in 2009.
If the Supreme Court decides in favor of equality, more than a quarter of Americans will live in states where LGBT couples can marry legally.
And if they rule DOMA unconstitutional, every single one of those couples will have the same federal rights and benefits of marriage as heterosexual couples.
This step in the Prop. 8 case is a watershed moment in the long fight for marriage equality. Our victories require hard work, smart strategy, and commitment from every supporter, so I'm glad you're here fighting for this one.
Be part of the Majority Opinion now. Stand with Kris & Sandy and Paul & Jeff as their case goes to the Supreme Court and show that public opinion lies squarely on the side of equality.
The battle may not yet be over, but our strength as a movement is growing. Justice is on our side and we won't stop until equality reaches every corner of our vast country. For the majority,
Chad Griffin
President
Of course, there was reactions from all around the country and I will link you to the ones I think are the most important or succinct. First, though, Americablog has posted the actual certificates of certiorari. Edith Windsor was among the first to respond to the decision, quickly followed by the House of Representatives LGBT Equality Caucus and New York Democtratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Then from Towleroad.com comes this excellent analysis of what this means for all of us from their legal eagle Ari Ezra Waldman. Then what would any discussion of Prop 8 or DOMA be without NOM chipping in their two cents worth drawing this illogical and idiotic conclusion which only goes to prove they are still out in the la la land of right-wing-nuttery where they are unable to see the forest for the trees.
All of this means that we should have a ruling by next summer on whether or not we as LGBT's will finally be recognized as Equal Citizens like everyone else in the country or remain as Second-Class Citizens without our full measure of Equal Rights. It is my fervent hope that our faith in SCOTUS is justified and they will affirm us as Equal to All, thus striking down state laws denying Marriage Equality and granting full 1138 Federal Benefits to Same Sex Couples who are legally married in their states that are currently granted only to legally married heterosexual couples. Please take time to sign the petition so that SCOTUS will know that you stand with the majority of fair minded Americans in your support of Marriage Equality. I will be watching events as they play out as I am sure you guys and the rest of the world will also.
Now for the normal business of a Saturday here at Nichevo of the photo review of the Best of the Best of the Web This Week. I gathered 890 photographs during my web wanderings this week and it took me a while to go through them all this morning. However it was not an unpleasant task by any means and I ultimately selected 82 photographs for your review. As is my usual criteria, I sought out those photos which immediately grasped my attention and held it for more than just a casual moment. Be it light, form or content, all of these photographs draw you to them. The subjects are, of course, beautiful examples of the art of the male form, but the beautiful bodies alone are not always what draws one to a particular photograph. Some times it is the setting, sometimes it is the lighting, and sometimes it is the eyes which they say are windows to the soul that immediately draw you to them like iron to a magnet. I will let you guys be the judge of which ones are the most magnetic to you.
To give appropriate musical accompaniment as you take your leisurely scroll down the page, your Saturday Soundtrack for this week includes every keyboard work composed by Johann Sebastian Bach between the years 1700-1710. Their performance on the Harpsichord is by Christiane Wuntz. Take your time examining the fine male art while you listen to the works of Bach. It is such a nice way to spend a Saturday morning, no? Thanks indeed for choosing to spend part of your weekend with me here at Nichevo, we will see you again on Monday. Until next time as always. Enjoy!
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