NCLR’s Executive Director Writes Open Letter On How The Prop 8 Trial Is Life Changing Whatever The Outcome
Posted: 12th Jan 2010 Author: Michelle Penny Topics: Gay Marriage
Kate Kendall, the Executive Director for the National Center For Lesbian Rights (NCLR), which is based in San Francisco, has written a open letter about the Proposition 8 trial that has just begun in San Francisco, and what it means to her.
Beginning her letter by speaking about the excitement that she and many feel over the fact that the issue of whether the gay marriage ban was unconstitutional is even being discussed, Kendall also the depression she and many others felt on November 4th 2008 when voters acted to reverse the life changing decision for the LGBT community of giving same sex couples the right o marry which had become legal only months before on the 15th May.
Speaking of how she was “personally and professionally bereft and devastated”, Kate talks about how she became convinced that the whole fight for equality was quickly becoming a long and unachievable one. That was until yesterday (January 11, 2010).
More than a year after that soul destroying voter decision, Kate has got her perspective back, focusing not on the crushing impact the implementation of Proposition 8 had, but the achievement since with marriage victories in four states, and the historical impact that this trial is making by posing the question:
Is it a denial of equal protection under the law to single out same-sex couples and eliminate their fundamental right to marry after recognizing that same-sex couples are entitled to full equality under the state constitution?
Discussing the legal team fighting to proves the answer to this question is yes, Kendall is keen to point out that whilst Ted Olson and David Boies are two of the most recognisable lawyers in the US, it is not just their profiles that has lead them to be chosen. Having fought on opposite sides in the Bush V Gore case, Kendall sees the pair as being two people firmly committed to the cause, believing that the conservative credentials on Olson will act not to hinder the case, but strengthen it having witnessed first hand the commitment Olsen has to the case (she goes as far as to label him an “honorary lesbian”, via work that the NCLR has done with the Olson/Boies team for the case.
Ending the letter by saying she believes that the team “has a real chance to succeed in striking down Prop 8″, Kendall also believes whatever the result of the trial it will act to something just as important which is “igniting a national dialogue and changing the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans. Even if that is all that happens, the world will never be the same.”
You can read Kendall’s letter in full on the NCLR website.
