Vol. 88 Issue 9
September 16, 2010
Legal battle continues for same-sex couples Proposition 8 makes its way up the legislative ladder to the Supreme Court. Cal State Fullerton houses support for the LGBT community on campus through the SafeSpace program. See SAFE SPACES, page 3
WHAT’S INSIDE OPINION How to spot a hipster ........................................4 DETOUR Quick Pick: Concert students are most excited for ........................................6 SPORTS Triple Crown race heats up as season comes to an end ........................................8
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Proposition 8 blurs religion and politics
Husband & Husband
The definition of marriage causes many religious institutions to actively campaign for Proposition 8 KEITH COUSINS Asst. News Editor
They stood on street corners. They urged passing motorists to honk as a sign of solidarity. They brought their children and pets. They held signs to make their message clear. “Protect Marriage – Vote Yes on Prop 8.” The supporters of Proposition 8 often stood just across the street from their opposition, who held signs with a different message. Scenes such as these were prevalent in Southern California during the weeks and days leading to the November vote. Proposition 8 divided the state and became the highest-funded
campaign of any state ballot measure in United States history, according to the Associated Press. For Tuly Huntington of Mission Viejo, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the proposition felt like a second chance after the reversal of Proposition 22 in 2008. “I was involved with Prop. 22 in 2000,” Huntington said. “It definitely prepared us for Prop. 8.” Organized Religion Gets Involved It didn’t take long for organized religion to get involved with support – both monetary and non-monetary. Groups such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Focus on the Family, as well as a group of Evangelical Christians led by Jim Garlow and Miles McPherson, officially backed the measure. See RELIGION, page 2
A marriage recognized in Canada not California Road Map to the U.S. Supreme Court American studies professor John Ibson married his partner of 32 years this past summer in Canada SOFIA ISLAS Staff Writer
John Ibson and Steve Harrison were dressed casually in sport coats standing in front of the fireplace that served as an altar within the uppermiddle class home in North Vancouver, Canada. The only witnesses were the wedding commissioner, her husband and their son, making this an intimate civil ceremony that, while routine in Canada, is a luxury not afforded to them in their home country. Ibson, 66, is a professor of American studies at Cal State Fullerton and has been teaching for 38 years. This summer Ibson wed Harrison, his partner of 32 years, while on vacation in Vancouver. “We enjoyed the lawlessness that came with not getting married,” Ibson said. “We didn’t need government approval to enjoy our lives together.” Marriage was not something that Ibson thought he needed in life. His relationship with Harrison was wellbuilt and made strong by the love and respect they had for one another. There were times when Ibson and Harrison mulled over the idea of getting married, especially during the short window that California allowed
same-sex marriage but nothing ever came into fruition. For this year’s summer vacation, Ibson and Harrison decided to tour the Canadian Rockies. While planning their trip, Harrison brought up the idea of getting married simply because marriage was legal in Canada. It took Ibson a few moments of hesitation before answering “yes.” Before they knew it, they were simultaneously planning their vacation and wedding, making sure to secure a wedding commissioner by booking their services via the internet and researching where to get their marriage license. “I wasn’t prepared with how much (getting married) would mean to me… it was so refreshing and we were as happy as 19-year-olds,” Ibson said. Soon after their ceremony, Ibson felt that his relationship with Harrison had begun anew. It was inconceivable to both of them that their relationship would heighten to a new level and getting married was an experience that allowed Ibson and Harrison to rediscover one another. “Since the wedding, there has been a surprisingly settled feeling that even the previous 32 years hadn’t brought,” Harrison said.
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See IBSON, page 2
February 12, 2004
March 11, 2004
November 4, 2008
August 4, 2010
Mayor Gavin Newsom instructs city officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the first action of its kind in the nation. Dozens of couples are married as city offices stay open late to accommodate long lines.
The California Supreme Court unanimously orders San Francisco to stop marrying gay couples and announces that it will rule on the legality of the city’s actions within the next few months. In four weeks, nearly 4,000 gay couples received licenses.
California voters pass Proposition 8 -- which amends the state Constitution to ban gay marriage -- with about 52 percent of the vote. A 2000 ballot initiative banning gay marriage, Proposition 22, had passed with 61 percent of the vote but was later struck down by the state’s high court.
A federal judge in San Francisco rules that gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry, striking down Proposition 8, the voter approved ballot measure that banned same-sex unions. U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker said Proposition 8, passed by voters in November 2008, violated the federal constitutional rights of gays and lesbians to marry the partners of their choice. His ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then up to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Information Courtesy of The Los Angeles Times