Supremes' Prop. 8 Oral Arguments Generate Vigils, Viewing Parties, Rallies

Okay, Prop. 8, supporters, be honest: Would you rather attend a party thrown by gays or straights? If you answered the latter, well, then, you haven't been to a party thrown by gays, have you? Think of all the collected knowledge of Martha Stewart, the Queer Eye guys and Chelsea Handler funneled into a single event, and you get an idea of what kind of fab do you'd be in for. 

So, perhaps you should put away your hateful signs and come on out to Eve of Justice, which refers to the evening before the California Supreme Court
hears oral arguments in San Francisco on the validity of Prop. 8, the initiative voters passed in November to maintain the outlaw on same-sex marriage. Everyone is welcome to gather from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fairview Community Church, 2525 Fairveiw Road, Costa Mesa. A vigil also begins at 6 p.m. in front of Long Beach City Hall on West Ocean Boulevard between Chestnut and Pacific avenues.

“That evening, we'll
stand together and send a unified message to our fellow Californians,
including the Supreme Court Justices, that individual liberties like
the right to marry are guaranteed by the Constitution to everyone and
cannot be stripped away at the ballot box by a bare majority,” say Eve O. Justice. “Just as
important, we will give our love and support to all the families headed
by same-sex couples who are threatened by the recent electoral outcome,
as well as same-sex couples whose hopes and dreams of marriage and
family have been frustrated by enactment of Prop. 8.”
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The Supremes hear oral arguments from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, and you can watch along by going here. Better yet, if you don't mind getting in your car, you can drive to the viewing party being thrown by the ACLU, Lambda Legal, the City of West Hollywood, the Los Angeles Gay N Lesbian Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights in the West Hollywood Auditorium, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

Late that afternoon, Church of the Foothills in Santa Ana
hosts a marriage equality rally. Possible wetness is in the forecast,
but church officials claim, rain or shine, they'll be out there from 4
to 6 p.m. The church is at 19211 Dodge Ave., at Newport Boulevard.

“In
the midst of conservative Orange County, which is not only a major
source of funding for the proposition but also voted overwhelmingly in
support of it, Church of the Foothills has long championed Christian
values,” says Churchy Foothillian.
“By showing opposition to Prop. 8, this protest will affirm the love
that Jesus showed to all, and continue his message of peace, justice
and equality for all mankind. Present at this action will be a diverse
group of all ages, including recently, married LGBT couples, LGBT
families with children and straight allies alike.”

You've got to
hand it to 'em: Breaking out Christ to make your public policy argument
is sooooo pro-Prop. 8. And see how they trotted out the children, too?
Masterful!

If you know of any other Orange County events, large or small, and you don't mind members of the public knowing about them, email me and I'll update this post. Or add 'em in the comments section.

Incidentally,
the state Senate voted Monday in favor of a resolution that effectively
aks the Supreme Court to overturn Prop. 8. Next time you go to the
ballot box, keep in mind that no Orange County representative voted in
favor of the resolution: Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) and Mimi Walters (R-Lagnua Niguel) voted no, Mark Wyland (R-Oceanside) was absent, and Lou Correa
(D-Santa Ana) courageously left the chambers prior to the discussion
and did not vote. As Chelsea would say, “What . . . a pussy.”