>>and as for Prop 8, here are some of the 80 "findings of facts" from the Walker decision that the Supreme Court upheld.
>>To deny an appelant a hearing is to affirm and uphold the decision of the lower court.
>>I don't know how much more "unconstitutional" Prop 8 could get than what was found to be FACT in Judge Walker's Trial.
Findings of fact[edit]
Over 50 pages of the opinion were devoted to Walker's 80 findings of fact[102] and the supporting evidence, which included:
Marriage is a civil, not religious, matter.[103]:FOF 19 p.60
How the State defines civil marriage.[103]:FOF 34, p.67
Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of sexual, affectional or romantic desires for and attractions to men, women or both sexes. An individuals sexual orientation can be expressed through self-identification, behavior or attraction.[103]:FOF 43, p.71-72
Individuals do not generally choose their sexual orientation. An individual does not, through conscious decision, therapeutic intervention or any other method, change sexual orientation.[103]:FOF 46, p.74
The State has no interest in asking gays and lesbians to change their orientation or in reducing the number of gays and lesbians in California.[103]:FOF 47, p.76
Marriage has benefits which the State and individuals gain from, which apply to same and opposite sex marriage alike.[103]:FOF 35-41, p.67-71
Same sex couples are identical to opposite sex couples in terms of characteristics relevant to successful marriage and union.[103]:FOF 48, p.79
Marrying a person of the opposite sex is an unrealistic option for gays and lesbians.[103]:FOF 51, p.79
Domestic partnerships lack the social meaning associated with marriage.[103]:FOF 52, p.80
Marriage of other groups, controversial on comparable grounds at the time, such as race or ethnicity, has not reduced the "vibrancy" or importance of marriage as a social institution, although many people raised concerns of its degradation at the time.[103]:FOF 66-67, p.66
The costs and harm (to the State and to lesbians and gays) resulting from denial of
Dave (imported) wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:25 pm
marriage to same-sex couples.
[103]:FOF 64-68, p.77-78
A parent's gender is not a factor in a child's adjustment. An individual's sexual orientation does not determine whether that individual can be a good parent. Children raised by gay or lesbian parents are as likely as children raised by heterosexual parents to be healthy, successful and well-adjusted.[103]:FOF 70, p.95
Gay and lesbian adoption is widespread and is supported and encouraged in California law, providing evidence concerning same sex couples and parenting, with around 18% of same sex couples in California raising children.[103]:FOF 69-73, p.94-96 As a corollary, this provides evidence of fact that Proposition 8 is not rationally connected to improving parenting, since it makes no attempt to amend or revoke state approval of any aspect of parenting by non-married same sex couples.[103]:Pp.Int. 3 p.127-128
Gays and lesbians have a long history of being victims of discrimination.[103]:FOF 74, p.96
Religious beliefs that gay and lesbian relationships are sinful or inferior to heterosexual relationships harm gays and lesbians.[103]:FOF 77, p.101