San Francisco federal appeals court to allow broadcast of same-sex marriage hearing

When the lawyers argue before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the appeal of the striking down of Prop 8, the referendum prohibiting same-sex marriage, the proceedings will be videotaped and then televised. A federal district court had ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional for violating equal protection and due process rights. -db From the [...]

Washington state: Supreme Court rules anti-gay petitioners can’t hide identities

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed disclosure of signatures for a Washington referendum to overturn a law granting domestic partners the same rights as married couples. The opponents of gay marriage had argued that they would be subject to threats, harassment and reprisals if the signatures were released to the public. -db From the Courthouse [...]

Business lobby opposed to order requiring government contractors to disclose political donations

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce made it known to the Obama administration that they oppose its plan to require government contractors to disclose their political donations. The Chamber argued that disclosures would chill the free speech rights of businesses and cited the case of Target which suffered boycotts and protests after the revelation that the [...]

Free speech: Federal judge dismisses as premature anti-gay marriage group’s challenge to New York election law

The National Organization for Marriage lost its first skirmish in challenging the constitutionality of a New York law to expedite their bid to run ads favoring gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino. NOM says the law potentially violates the group’s free speech rights by creating too many burdens to running the ads. -db On Top Magazine October [...]

If hard-won court victory against Prop 8 is tossed out because of “standing” defect, you can thank Jerry Brown

BY PETER SCHEER—If I were Ted Olson, the former US solicitor general who is leading the legal battle against Prop 8, I would be unhappy with Jerry Brown right now. Olson’s hard-won victory before federal district court judge Vaughn Walker was meant to be the first stage of a legal strategy culminating in a US [...]

Judge rules sexual harassment policy violates free speech rights

A federal judge ruled that a Los Angeles City College student could express his views opposing gay marriage and proceed with his suit against the the college for financial damages and a ban on a sexual harassment code. -DB Los Angeles Times July 15, 2009 By Gale Holland Saying it violates students’ free speech rights, a [...]

Prop 8 Supreme Court hearing is best evidence yet for allowing cameras into the courtroom

By Peter Scheer The California Supreme Court’s hearing yesterday in the Prop 8 case–broadcast live over the internet via streaming video–erased any doubt about the wisdom of allowing cameras into the nation’s courts. Let’s hope US Supreme Court Justices David Souter, Stephen Breyer, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas were watching the oral arguments [...]