• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear two same-sex marriage cases this spring.
Those are California's ban on gay marriage Prop 8, and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. DOMA.
Our nation's highest court will first hear arguments on California's Prop 8 on March 26th and on the following day, DOMA.
Equality California leaders hope the Supreme Court upholds the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision finding Prop 8 unconstitutional, but they are also preparing to find ways to overturn Prop 8 should the ban on same sex marriage be upheld.

The new executive director of Equality California, John O'Connor, is hopeful the Supreme Court will rule in favor of same sex marriage.
"Public support has shifted in favor of marriage equality unquestionably and there was a huge opportunity for us to be out in the field, talking to people in communities all across this state about marriage equality," said O'Connor.
Equality California also shared those techniques with people in the states that just legalized gay marriage.
"We have a program through Equality California and we are working with seven or eight other organizations in the state to have folks go out and talk about the real life needs of LGBT people," said Equality California field manager in the desert, George Zander.
Should Prop 8, the voter-approved ban on same sex marriage remain intact, Equality California is preparing for the next step.
"In California it's quite possible that we could go back to the ballot box with a vote of the legislature and a signature of the governor, and not need signatures to go back," said Zander.
Across the nation and here in the desert, people are waiting to see what the Supreme Court decides.
"I think its extremely important, I think there's no question that everyone should have equal opportunity to marry the person they love, so of course I think it's very important," said Carol Rudofsky, a volunteer at Tolerance Education Center.
O'Connor says he can't predict what the Supreme Court will do, but he is sure of one thing.
"California and the nation will achieve full marriage equality, it is unquestionable, the things that are uncertain is the pathway to getting there, and the timing, it's my hope that it happens this summer with a really really good Supreme Court ruling, but I can't predict what the court will do," said O'Connor.
Equality California organizers are planning a local rally in Palm Springs the day before and the day of the Prop 8 hearing.
They are hoping for rallies all across the nation.