Gay Inc. Outraged About Being Dismissed

The legal and political LGBT coalition that lost the Prop 8 battle doesn't take a tucker to the new same-sex marriage upstarts who see no use for them.

Straights Acting: Ali Shams and Kaelan Housewright hope to remove "marriage" from the definition of marriage altogether.

(EdgeSF)

"The groups also argue that their extensive experience and expertise in litigating the very factual issues before the court would make them of great assistance to the parties and the court"

— Lisa Keen, ebar.com

More about the kerfuffle at ebar.com.

Gay Inc. doesn't realize that THEY lost their case in the first place. We saw these people argue Prop 8 in front of the California Supreme Court, and they sounded like junior varsity debate team alternates, always on the defense rather than acting like actual plaintiffs in the case.

Barging in on new cases working their way to the US Supreme Court, these groups feel slighted by the cool, legalese reception the receive.

"Lawyers, no matter how experienced or well-meaning, should not be permitted to use intervention to involve themselves in litigation where the parties have chosen to retain other counsel."

But it's all smiles from Shannon Minter, who lost the Prop 8 case he argued for the National Center for Lesbian Rights last March.

"It's time to put aside any past disagreements and work together to present the very best legal arguments and the strongest possible factual record," says Minter. "We have much respect for the plaintiffs' attorneys and look forward to working with them."

Meanwhile, it's argued in the LGBTQC community, or at least by me, that the previous battles were EQCA and Lambda Legal Defense's to lose, and that they lost by being insular, turf-warring not-so-non-profits acting like corporations that are more interested in protecting their market share.

Some hope to sidline professional politics:

"Realistically, 1 million signatures is an awful lot," Lowe said. It would be more realistic if between 250,000 and 500,000 signatures were collected by volunteers, with the rest coming from paid gatherers, he said."

— Chaz Lowe,
Yes on Equality

This is the inner-gay scene battle we're seeing now. If Gay Inc. is made any more irrelevant by this court case and by the cute young Turks jumpstarting the marriage movement from the grassroots, these failed establishment groups stand to lose control of millions of dollars and people, fundraising turf that they've monopolized for years.

More about the internecine battle at ebar.com.

You May NOT Kiss the Bride?

Who would Jesus arrest for a kiss?

(Huffpo)

"Aune, 28, said he gave Jones, 25, a hug and kiss and that the two were then approached by a security guard, who asked them to leave, telling them they were being inappropriate and that public displays of affection aren't allowed on the property. He said other guards arrived and the men were handcuffed."

— Matt Aune, to the AP

Read More.

Mind you, Utah allows guns in church, in a state where the Mormon church signs off on law.

It's one thing to be within your rights and another thing to be right.

The Mormon Church, arguably, could be within its right to ban hugs and kisses, but it's wrong to ban hugs and kisses, especially in church, where they couldn't be more appropriate and should be more prevalent.

If there really is no kissing or hugging allowed in and around the Mormon churches and temples... that's one sad situation.

It just says something about a church that would outlaw displays of affection.

But... but...

"their strategy is shock tactics for Grandma, which does NOTHING but reverse supporters, alienate those who WANT to support them, alienate the majority of gay people who do not think public displays of sexuality are appropriate ways of garnering support for important issues, and continue to block the closet door for those of us who do not agree with their minority theatrics."

Public displays of sexuality? A hug and kiss?

Really?

No kiss at the alter for you then.

Support for gay rights and same-sex marriage is ever-increasing, not diminishing.

What pessimistic world do you live on? The younger generation is coming to sweep this old way of thinking away.

This is NOT and issue for most people 29 and below.

Read More.

The Marryin' kind?

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom doesn't let getting jilted by 53% of Californians get him down. Left at the altar by Prop 8, he's raising the dowry for a run for governor, with no concerted competition for the state's hand yet apparent.

Gavin Newsom raking in cash

(SFGate)

"Should have asked some SF residents what he's really like. Judging from the commenters on SFGate Gavin is not the most popular guy in town."

— WillfromSF

Read More of Joe Garofoli's take

That has always been an odd feature, that the preponderance of SFGate commenter-hate never seems to manifest electorally, increasing Newsom's win from 53% in his first mayoral election to 72% in his reelection.

Who was not surprised how competition ran, hiding, even after various peccadilloes could have made Newsom vulnerable? It's as if he becomes more popular as his antagonists become more mouthy, but it's probably the other way around.

Is he governor material?

Has CaLEEFORNia had a governor who was... lately?

If only 28% of SFer's hate Newsom, we can assume some of them are angry Green Party hippies, still pulling for 2003 mayoral runner-up Matt Gonzalez, or the Rapture-ready zealots upset about same-sex marriage.

That leaves maybe 10% who dislike the man personally, and they're just never been enough to swing the race.


Read More of Joe Garofoli's splashy politcal savvy @SFGate