Yesterday the California Supreme Court met to deliberate on the issue of gay marriage in the state yet again, after the court's May ruling to allow same-sex couples to marry was reversed when voters approved Proposition 8 in November.
The hearing lasted more than three hours and though the seven justices all seemed to agree that the 18,000 same-sex couples who married legally before Prop. 8 passed would remain legally wed, it appears the court may be leaning in favor of Prop. 8
"Here we are dealing with the power of the people, the inalienable right, to amend the Constitution," Justice Joyce Kennard, who voted in favor of legalizing gay marriage in May, said.
What else was heard at the hearing? And what did Kenneth Starr have to say?
"A guarantee of equality that is subject to exceptions by the majority is no guarantee at all."
-Therese Stewart, San Francisco chief deputy city attorney, arguing that Prop. 8 violates equal-rights principles in the state Constitution
"The people established the Constitution. As judges, our power is very limited."
-Justice Joyce Kennard
"Is it for this court to limit the people's power to amend the Constitution?"
-Chief Justice Ronald George
"Proposition 8 does not erode any of the bundle of rights that this state has very generously provided" to same-sex couples.
-Kenneth Starr, lawyer for Protect Marriage, the sponsor of Prop. 8
"If you're in the marriage business, do it equally. If you're not going to do it equally, then get out of the marriage business."
-Michael Maroko, a lawyer for same-sex couples, replying to a question about whether the court should reserve the name "marriage" for religious ceremonies and convert existing civil marriages to civil unions
"It would exceed the power of this court."
-Starr, answering the same question
[SF Gate: Justices seem to be leaning in favor of Prop. 8]
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