‘Howl’ Stars Franco, Hamm Slam Prop. 8

Staff / Truthdig Jan 26, 2010 When you're in a movie about a countercultural figure as big as Allen Ginsberg, it's going to be hard to avoid the political questions, and "Howl" stars Jon Hamm and James Franco, who plays the Beat-era poet in the film, were ready to hold forth at the Sundance Film Festival about one prominent political topic of our time: California's Proposition 8. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Cindy McCain Comes Out in Support of Gay Marriage

Staff / Truthdig Jan 21, 2010 As her daughter Meghan did before her, Cindy McCain, registered Republican and wife of Sen. John McCain, has lent her well-known visage to the NOH8 campaign that began after the passage of California's Proposition 8 in November 2008. The campaign's organizers expressed their surprise that Cindy was willing to do so and gave her props for her bid to "show people that party doesn't matter." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Making the Case for Gay Marriage

Bill Boyarsky / Truthdig Jan 18, 2010 Why should we care about the Proposition 8 same-sex marriage trial in San Francisco? Most people aren’t gay or lesbian. Many think marriage is unimportant. Others feel Afghanistan, unemployment, Haiti and health care are much more deserving of attention.Why should we care about the Proposition 8 same-sex marriage trial in San Francisco? Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

An Omen in the Prop. 8 Battle?

Staff / Truthdig Jan 17, 2010 Many fear that a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court may be an omen on how the court might rule if the legal battle over Proposition 8 arrives in Washington. The 5-4 decision ruled that Internet streaming of the Prop. 8 trial in San Francisco would cause a hostile public climate toward anti-gay marriage advocates. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

SCOTUS Bars Video Coverage of Prop. 8 Trial

Staff / Truthdig Jan 12, 2010 Bad news for anyone hoping to keep tabs on the Proposition 8 trial via YouTube: On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a ruling by a federal judge to allow streaming video coverage of the trial contesting the ban on gay marriage in California. The top court's decision holds only until Wednesday, however, so stay tuned. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Where Was Obama When Maine Needed Him?

Staff / Truthdig Nov 5, 2009 Why did voters in Maine reject a law that would have sanctioned same-sex marriage? Well, according to some marriage equality supporters, one big reason currently resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and another has to do with conservative scare tactics played out via television ad campaigns. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Top Writer-Director Breaks With Scientology Over Proposition 8

Staff / Truthdig Oct 26, 2009 The Church of Scientology counts several high-profile figures from the world of entertainment among its members -- Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, to name a few -- and they sometimes act as public advocates for their religion. However, one of their own, screenwriter and director Paul Haggis, has very publicly left the fold after taking issue with the church's stance on Proposition 8. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Federal Judge Rejects Request to Dismiss Prop. 8 Suit

Staff / Truthdig Oct 15, 2009 Although Proposition 8 passed in California last year, setting back the gay marriage cause, the legal wheels are still turning to argue against the measure. On Wednesday, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court refused to stop a challenge to Proposition 8, dismissing the argument that (straight) marriage and procreation are fundamentally linked. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gay Marriage Hits a Snag in Maine

Staff / Truthdig Jul 10, 2009 Having enlisted the same PR firm, Schubert Flint Public Affairs, that handled the publicity behind the pro-Proposition 8 push in California last fall, opponents of gay marriage claim to have amassed enough signatures to prevent a new law recognizing same-sex nuptials from taking effect on Sept. 12. A referendum on the issue would be held in November. Back to the voting booth, Mainers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lt. Dan Choi Leads Gay Rights Rally Outside Obama Fundraiser

Staff / Truthdig May 28, 2009 The anti-Proposition 8 protests were one form of gay rights activism taking place recently around Los Angeles, but a related issue was the subject of a rally led by former Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and Arab linguist who was discharged from the Army National Guard earlier this month for coming out publicly: Choi wanted to remind the visiting president about his pledge to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

California Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Staff / Truthdig May 26, 2009 The California Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the ban on same-sex marriage is still on in the Not So Golden State. But in upholding Prop. 8, the court said the 18,000 gay couples who wed before the November election are still considered legally married. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iowa Is 3rd State to Recognize Gay Marriage

Staff / Truthdig Apr 3, 2009 Proving once again how awesome Iowa is and how the battle for civil rights continues, Iowa's Supreme Court has ruled that its ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, making it the third state to legalize gay marriage. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )