Marriage Appears Victorious in California Supreme Court

March 5, 2009, was an encouraging day for traditional marriage in the California Supreme Court!  Advocates attorneys were present in the courtroom when the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments from both sides in a challenge brought by the ACLU, the City of San Francisco, and others to Article 1, Section 7.5 of the California Constitution, also known as Proposition 8.  Article 1, Section 7.5 of the California Constitution defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.  

Advocates attorneys, Robert Tyler and Jennifer Monk, were part of a small contingent of 16 people attending the arguments on behalf of the Proposition 8 committee.  While attendance in the courtroom was limited, hundreds of protestors gathered outside the courtroom. 

Kenneth Starr, former U.S. Solicitor General and Dean of Pepperdine Law School, argued on behalf of Proposition 8 that the Court should respect the will of the people and uphold the validity of Proposition 8.  Advocates also provided some assistance in the preparation for oral arguments. 

The Justices appear poised to uphold Proposition 8.  Based on their questioning, we are optimistic that the Court will rule in our favor.   The Court was critical of the arguments of our opponents.  In fact, Chief Justice George said the following to one of the opponents of Proposition 8:  “Sir, your argument is both practical and political, but it is not legal.”

Advocates filed a brief with the California Supreme Court on behalf of a group of California legislators, the California Family Council, and the California Republican Lawyers Association. 

The Court should release a decision within 90 days.

This information is provided by Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a non-profit religious law firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty in the courts!  To help us in our ongoing battle for religious freedom, click here to donate to Advocates.