More developments on the eve of the eagerly-anticipated federal challenge to Proposition 8 that will begin Monday in San Francisco. The American Foundation for Equal Rights, which launched Perry v. Schwarzenegger and is funding the superstar legal team of Theodore Olson and David Boies to argue the case, has named an advisory board that includes civil rights icon Julian Bond, Lt. Dan Choi and other notables.
Says NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond on the case: "The humanity of all Americans is diminished when any group is denied rights granted to others. This is not a special interest case, but one that should be of great importance to everyone who believes in the principles of equality on which this nation was founded."
Bond recently testified at the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee's marriage equality hearings. He also spoke at the National Equality March in October.
In addition to Bond and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" activist Lt. Dan Choi, the list includes: Republican strategist Margaret Hoover; labor activist Dolores Huerta; Cleve Jones; Stuart Milk; David Mixner; the Huffington Post's Hilary Rosen; and Judy Shepard. Kudos to AFER Board President Chad Griffin for assembling such an all-star team.
More from Pam Spaulding at PHB and Chris Geidner at Law Dork ...
It should go without saying that a person should be allowed to marry whomever they choose. Until the right-wing, religious fanatics in this country stop trying to control everybody else and force their “morals” down the throat of the country, there can be no real freedom in the United States. Civil rights cannot simply be "voted away," that is the purpose of the Bill of Rights. Religious activists should be left out of these decisions completely. I invite you to my web pages devoted to raising awareness on this puritan attack on our freedom: http://freethegods.blogspot.com/2009/06/san-franciscos-gay-pride-parade.html
Posted by: David Scott | 11 January 2010 at 14:29
Maybe former Congressman Ford Tn., who wants to run for the US Senate from New York would like to testify. On the Today Show this morning he twice answered, "yes" when asked if he supported gay marriage and civil unions. Did he have a religious conversion or what?
Posted by: jwright | 11 January 2010 at 15:38