Prop 8 at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

The drama continues. A few days after issuing his decision overturning Proposition 8, Judge Walker proclaimed that gay marriages would recommence in California unless his decision was stayed by a higher court. Thankfully, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has intervened. They said that Judge Walker’s decision is suspended until at least December, when they will hear an appeal from our side.

Some now question if the case will make it all the way to the United States Supreme Court due to the question of standing. Because the lawsuit was originally filed against the Governor and Attorney General, the argument goes that only they have the right to appeal the decision. It seems kind of stupid that the Protect Marriage coalition was allowed to defend Prop 8, but now may not have the authority to appeal the case. Anyways, that’s one of the issues the 9th circuit has to work out.

If this makes it to the U.S. Supreme Court, legal scholars are estimating that it won’t be until mid-2012 at the earliest.

Keep praying!

Gay and Lesbian Day of Silence 2010

Here we go again! For those of you not privileged to be acquainted with the annual event, let me give you some details about the Gay and Lesbian Day of Silence for 2010. Our friends at the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) have chosen April 16, 2010 as a day to raise awareness about the problem of harassment towards gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals. The short story is that students nationwide are encouraged to remain silent during the school day, and this somehow is supposed to help other students stop bullying.

As an educator, let me be the first to say that any kind of bullying or hate speech should be banned at public schools. But, is this really what the day is about? And, is this the best way to do it? The answer to both questions – NO! What on the surface appears to be a day to raise awareness of bullying in actuality is a day to promote homosexuality in schools. GLSEN wants your children and mine to accept their belief that homosexuality is normal and those who oppose it on moral grounds are prejudiced. Sorry, I don’t buy it!

See my previous post here for a sample lesson plan from GLSEN.

For more information about the Day of Silence, see this report from Fox News or this one from Focus on the Family.

Update on the Battle to Preserve Marriage

United Families International gives a good summary of the marriage battles being fought in New England, Washington D.C., New York, and California. Go here for more details.

For an update specifically on Prop 8, see this recent article from theatlantic.com As you probably heard, the California Supreme Court upheld Prop 8 back in May. But now, an appeal to the federal courts has been filed by the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The fight continues. . .

California Supreme Court to Announce Prop 8 Ruling on Tuesday

At last, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The California Supreme Court announced that it will “issue an opinion in three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.”

If the court upholds Prop 8, please don’t egg my house.

Here’s the link where the ruling will be posted.

For more info and commentary, see:
Pearl Diver’s Thoughts
What Tuesday’s Ruling Will and Won’t Mean
LA Times article
San Francisco Chronicle article

Gay Issues Curriculum for Kindergarteners

Alameda School Board Considering Adoption of LBGT Curriculum

This article is just in from KGO news in San Francisco. Let’s stop kidding ourselves. Equality is not enough, despite what Equality California tells us. The gay community will not be satisfied until we openly embrace their “gayness”. So, where better to start their campaign than with school children?

Read my previous post here about why certain issues don’t belong in the elementary school classroom. And, yes, for those who haven’t read my About page, I am an elementary school teacher.