Prop 8 Day of Decision: Ruling Expected Today

The San Francisco Chronicle reported last night that the federal court of appeals in San Francisco announced that Judge Vaughn Walker will be disclosing his ruling on Perry vs. Schwarzenegger, the federal court challenge to California's Mormon-backed Proposition 8, the voter initiative that amended the state constitution and defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The amendment was passed five months after a court ruling found that banning same-sex marriage was a violation of California's constitution. In the window of opportunity between the June 2008 ruling and the passing of Prop 8 the following November, 18,000 same-sex couples were legally married.

On the news of today's announcement, proponents of Prop 8 filed a motion to delay implementation of the ruling out of the fear that another window will be created until they can appeal it to the US Supreme Court. The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Supporters of Prop 8 are expecting to lose this round and have already filed a motion to stay the ruling out of fear that another window of opportunity will be created until the ruling is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

After court officials on Tuesday announced plans to release the decision, Prop. 8's sponsors filed papers making it clear they expect to lose this round. They asked Walker, if he rules against them, to leave the ban on same-sex marriages in place while they appeal.

Lawyers for Prop. 8's backers told the judge they are confident that any such ruling would be overturned on appeal. They said a stay would honor the will of the voters and would not harm same-sex couples, who can still register as domestic partners.

CNN reports this morning that the ruling is expected at around 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The American Foundation for Equal Rights has set up a page where you can sign up to receive an e-mail alert as soon as the ruling is announced.

Rallies are planned nationwide in anticipation of the ruling. The following schedule comes via Joe.My.God.:

LOS ANGELES: 6 p.m. | West Hollywood Park | 647 N. San Vicente
SAN DIEGO: March: 6 p.m. @ 6th & University | Rally: 7 p.m. @ LGBT Community Center | 3909 Centre St
SAN FRANCISCO: 5 p.m. | Castro & Market
LONG BEACH: 6 p.m. | Bixby Park | Junipero & Cherry @ Broadway
SACRAMENTO: 6 p.m. | Party | K & 21st | In the unlikely event Judge Walker rules against teh gay, there will be a march to the Capitol
SAN JOSE: 6 p.m. | Billy DeFrank Center | 983 the Alameda


New York City's event will take place in downtown Manhattan at the New York Supreme Court, 60 Centre Street, at 7pm.

Blogger Rex Wockner has compiled a list of other rallies taking place throughout the country. 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Prop 8 Decision Comes Wednesday (sfist.com)
• Judge's ruling expected in gay marriage case (abclocal.go.com)
• Report: anti-gay TV ads swayed Prop. 8 voters (sfgate.com)
• Rumor of Prop. 8 ruling brings attorneys, media to S.F. courthouse (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
• Federal judge to rule on whether gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
• SFgate.com Prop. 8 ruling coming Wednesday (sfgate.com)