The [Gay Marriage] Revolution Will Be Televised: Prop 8 on CSPAN

The original Prop 8 trial, presided over by Judge Walker and making same-sex marriage legal (in theory at least) in California was intended to be broadcast live so the entire nation could follow along. Yes on 8 supporters managed to stall that idea with a temporary stay that turned out to last the entire trial, so instead of watching what was going on you had to rely on a potpourri of reportage and recaps. If our photoshopping the heads of important witnesses onto American Apparel models wasn’t the level of engagement you were looking for on this issue, you will be pleased to know that the hearing on whether Prop 8 should actually be struck down will be televised. (@latimes)

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request by C-SPAN to broadcast the two-hour hearing, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. The court said C-SPAN would provide its tape to other broadcast media that receive court permission to televise the hearing.

This hearing is taking place on Dec. 6th, and will involve only arguments made by lawyers for both sides, not testimony by witnesses. The hearing is in response to the Yes on 8’s sides appeal of Judge Walker’s ruling, but the first hour of the proceedings will be devoted to determining whether their side even has the grounds for an appeal. Having the standing to appeal a ruling generally requires that the appellant be directly affected by the ruling – and as was pretty solidly established in the actual trial, the Yes on 8 lawyers are not directly affected by anyone getting married except them, I guess. The second hour will be devoted to whether Prop 8 violates equal protection rights – another major tenet of our case against it in the trial a few months ago.

The exact form of our coverage of this hearing – liveblog? recap? roundup post? – is as yet undetermined, but rest assured that one will happen, so stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.

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Rachel

Originally from Boston, MA, Rachel now lives in the Midwest. Topics dear to her heart include bisexuality, The X-Files and tacos. Her favorite Ciara video is probably "Ride," but if you're only going to watch one, she recommends "Like A Boy." You can follow her on twitter and instagram.

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22 Comments

  3. I’m possibly a little too excited for this, I already put it on the calendar so that I can remember to dvr it since I’ll be at work and not able to watch it live.

  5. WOO! i know the media wasn’t expecting this to happen so soon, but since nothing Arizona does surprises us anymore…

  7. A correction in your article: The temporary stay of the broadcasting of the original trial didn’t extend through the entire trial. It was, in fact, replaced by a final decision (barring broadcast) on January 14, four days into the trial.

    For those who don’t have DVR, C-SPAN has a video library and I expect the recording of the hearing to be available there after the fact.

    There is a video recording of the entire original trial in existence. We can only hope that someday the public will be able to see it.

  8. I put it in my phone too! If they don’t run overtime, I’ll be able to make it to class afterwards as well, assuming I’m not having to clean up all of the things I threw at the screen/broke when the pro-8 supporters are speaking.

    Knowing that, if I ever meet the girl of my dreams, we could get married on my favorite beach in Santa Cruz would be pretty much the best Christmas present ever.

    Dear Santa,

    Please have the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals not be stupid. Thanks!

    Love,

    Naomi

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