My, my. Doesn’t Ms. Perkins seem uncomfortable.
Tag Archives: AFER
Federal Judge Strikes Down Virginia’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban, FRC’s Tony Perkins Gets The Vapors
District Federal Court Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen has struck down Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage:
The ruling was announced late Thursday evening. The order released around 10 p.m. stated the following:
“The Court finds Va. Const. Art. I, § 15-A, Va. Code §§ 20-45.2, 20-45.3, and any other Virginia law that bars same-sex marriage or prohibits Virginia’s recognition of lawful same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions unconstitutional. These laws deny Plaintiffs their rights to due process and equal protection guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
Wright’s 41-page ruling begins with a quote from Mildred Loving, made on the 40th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia:
“We made a commitment to each other in our love and lives, and now had the legal commitment, called marriage, to match. Isn’t that what marriage is? …I have lived long enough now to see big changes. The older generation’s fears and prejudices have given way, and today’s young people realize that if someone loves someone they have a right to marry. Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the “wrong kind of person” for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. …I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.”
Meanwhile Family Research Council hate group President Tony Perkins is having a serious case of the vapors:
“It appears that we have yet another example of an arrogant judge substituting her personal preferences for the judgment of the General Assembly and 57 percent of Virginia voters. Our nation’s judicial system has been infected by activist judges, which threaten the stability of our nation and the rule of law. This ruling comes on the heels of Attorney General Mark Herring’s refusal to fulfill his constitutional duty to defend the state’s marriage law. His lawlessness is an insult to the voters of Virginia who rightfully expected elected officials to uphold the laws and constitution of the state, not attack them as Herring has done. An arrogant judiciary is only one of the major consequences of the drive to redefine marriage. Increasingly, Americans are being forced to finance and celebrate unions that not only step on free speech and religious liberty but also deny children a mom and a dad. Rather than live-and-let-live, this court by redefining marriage will create a level of inequality that has never been seen in our country as people are forced to suppress or violate the basic teachings of their faith.” – KKK-affiliated Tony Perkins.
Fuck you Tony.
And congratulations Virginia!
U.S. Government Submits Amicus Brief To SCOTUS Saying Recognize Gay Marriage in Prop 8 Case
United States Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., filed a brief on behalf of the United States Government as amicus curiae in support of the Plaintiffs challenging California’s Proposition 8 in Hollingsworth v. Perry. The Government’s brief urges the Supreme Court to affirm the landmark federal court of appeals ruling that upheld the decision of the federal district court that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional.
In its brief, the Government argues that Proposition 8 should be subject to heightened judicial scrutiny because it discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. Since Proposition 8 cannot be justified as substantially furthering any important state interest, it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
Adam Umhoefer, executive director of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), the sole sponsor of the Perry case, issued the following statement:
“The brief filed by the Solicitor General is a powerful statement that Proposition 8 cannot be squared with the principles of equality upon which this nation was founded. It is an unprecedented call to action by our Government that it is time to recognize gay and lesbian Americans as full and equal citizens under the law. AFER looks forward to having Solicitor General Verrilli and the Federal Government by our side as we make the case for marriage equality for all before the Supreme Court.”
George Clooney To Star In Gay Play: “It is astonishing that gay and lesbian Americans are still treated as second-class citizens,”
The American Foundation for Equal Rights announced today that Academy Award-winning actor George Clooney is joining the cast for the West Coast premier of Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black’s “8.”
The play is about the historic trial in AFER’s federal constitutional challenge to Prop 8,. The play, taken from the District Court trial transcripts, courtroom observations and interviews with the two couples who are plaintiffs in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, will be directed by noted actor/director and AFER Founding Board Member Rob Reiner.
Said Clooney:
“It is astonishing that gay and lesbian Americans are still treated as second-class citizens,” Clooney said in an AFER press release. “I am confident that, very soon, the laws of this nation will reflect the basic truth that gay and lesbian people – like all human beings – are born equal in dignity and rights.”
“8” premiered to a sold-out audience and much acclaim last Sept. 19 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York City. The West Coast premier will be a one-night only performance.
The play will have its Los Angeles debut on March 3rd.