Ninth Circuit Rules on Prop. 8 Trial Tapes, will not unseal the video record of the historic trial

Ninth Circuit Rules on Prop. 8 Trial Tapes, will not unseal the video
record of the historic trial

From Chad Griffin, American Foundation for Equal Rights

In a court of law, where only truth and facts matter, the evidence was
irrefutable. Witness after witness testified that marriage strengthens
our society and that denying gay and lesbian couples their fundamental
freedom to marry causes direct harm to them and their families. Even
the star witness for the anti-marriage proponents admitted that we, as
a nation, would be more American the moment gay and lesbian couples
are able to marry.

Regrettably, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has decided not to
unseal the video record of the historic twelve-day public trial of
Prop. 8.

AFER will continue to do everything we can to make sure that the
public sees the facts of what happened in that courtroom.

Every day, our team works to educate the public by telling personal
stories of gay and lesbian Americans and their families and actively
corrects misinformation about the myths of allowing gay and lesbian
couples to marry. In partnership with today's most effective issue
leaders and organizational allies, AFER is changing the debate and
changing public opinion.

Our newest endeavor brings the issue of marriage equality to areas
where we need it most. In partnership with Broadway Impact, community
and college theaters across the country will perform Dustin Lance
Black's new play, "8," to spark dialogue, understanding and action.
Based on the actual court transcripts and moving interviews with
AFER's plaintiffs, the play is an unprecedented account of what
happened when discrimination was put on trial.

It speaks volumes that the proponents of Proposition 8 spent millions
on a political campaign to publicize their views, yet they have done
everything they can to stop the public from seeing the weak case they
put on at trial. They know the videotape would expose their baseless
campaign of fear and let the public see the powerful evidence we
submitted showing that Proposition 8 flatly violates the United States
Constitution. That's why they fought so hard to keep the tapes
secret.

In the coming weeks, the Ninth Circuit will rule on the merits of our
case that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional. It is my hope that
the Court will uphold the District Court ruling and stand up for the
freedom to marry.

Sincerely,

Chad H. Griffin
Board President
American Foundation for Equal Rights

See What Happened at the Prop. 8 Trial

Based on the actual court transcripts of the historic Prop. 8 trial,
Dustin Lance Black's play "8" shows the truth about marriage for gay
and lesbian couples.

See footage of the play and find a performance in your area.

Visit
http://www.8theplay.com/

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

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