Executive Director, UCLA's Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Policy
Executive Director of the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Policy at the UCLA Law SchoolPROFILE
Brad Sears
Guest
FROM Brad Sears
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Proposition 8 Federal Trial Starts in San Francisco In a federal court in San Francisco, the challenge to California's Proposition 8 got under way today. Both sides made opening statements and began calling witnesses. Brad Sears is executive director of the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA Law School.
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State Supreme Court Upholds Prop 8 Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Last May, in a 4-to-3 ruling, the State Supreme said same-sex marriage was a constitutional right . In November, the voters amended the Constitution to ban it. In the meantime, 18,000 gay and lesbian couples had tied the knot. Today, the court upheld Proposition 8 by a vote of 6-to-1, and also held that last year’s marriages are still in effect.
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Supreme Court Hears Debate on Prop 8 Last May, the State Supreme Court declared that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Today, that same court heard arguments for and against Proposition 8 , which passed last November, and amended the state constitution to say that only marriage between a man and a woman is legal or recognized in California. Chief Justice Ronald George wrote the legalization decision. Outside the courthouse in San Francisco, hundreds of people demonstrated on both sides of the same-sex marriage issue.
To the Point
Wedding Bells for Same-Sex Couples in California As soon as the California Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage last month, wedding planners, bakers and hotels began booking more business. On Monday, clerks in 58 counties will start issuing licenses, and the state is looking at a rush of applicants from all over the US. Though opponents are asking the courts to stop the process, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome promises to start holding ceremonies right away. Brad Sears is Executive Director of UCLA's Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law.
Which Way, L.A.?
Same-Sex Wedding Season about to Begin Starting next Tuesday, same sex couples will be allowed to marry in California - although both Kern and Butte Counties will stop performing marriages altogether, claiming they’ll be too expensive. There’s expected to be a run on clerks and recorders which could mean big money for local economies.
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To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
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To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?