Same-Sex Marriage Ban Proponents, SF City Attorney Prepare Supreme Court Arguments
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Supporters of California's ban on same-sex marriage have filed their first briefs with U.S. Supreme Court ahead of the hearing on Proposition 8 set for March.
The papers submitted to the high court Tuesday argue that defining marriage is a states' rights matter and that Californians' choice of a traditional definition in 2008 should be honored.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
SF City Attorney, Prop 8 Proponents Prepare To Argue Same-Sex Marriage Case Before Supreme Court
Lawyers for same-sex couples challenging the voter-approved initiative are expected to file their legal arguments in February, said San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who will present oral arguments against Prop 8.
"The proponents of Proposition 8 are going down the same exact path that we proceeded down with respect to interracial marriage," he said.
"The arguments that they're using now are just as ridiculous and ludicrous as they were 50 years ago, and we're confident that's going to be the view of the court."
Officials with ProtectMarriage.com did not return calls for comment. A statement published on the organization's website about the filing notes that more than 7 million Californians voted in favor of Prop 8 "because they believe that the unique relationship between one man and one woman continues to meaningfully serve as the cornerstone of society."
The Supreme Court is expected to hear Prop 8 arguments on March 26, then a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act the next day. Decisions in those cases are due by the end of June.
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