No Video of Prop. 8 Trial After All

In a disappointing move for supporters of marriage equality, the Supreme Court has voted 5-4 to ban video coverage of the Prop. 8 trial, which began Monday (San Jose Mercury). Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker had originally ordered that the proceedings be made available YouTube. The Supreme Court has traditionally forbidden the presence of video cameras in federal courts. Supporters of Prop. 8 argued that televising or otherwise providing video of the proceedings would expose people testifying on their behalf to harassment. Wouldn't the same concerns apply to our side?

Today is Day Four of the trial. Prop. 8 Trial Tracker is live-blogging from the courthouse, and the San Jose Mercury is providing live coverage.

The San Francisco Chronicle, in its coverage of the third day of the trial, discusses one of the central points at issue, which is whether Prop. 8 was rooted in prejudice against a historically persecuted group. If the plaintiffs can demonstrate that it was rooted in such prejudice, they can more easily prove that the amendment violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.

Newsweek's The Gaggle notes that supporters of Prop. 8 appear to be outnumbered inside and around the courtroom.

Finally, an editorial in the Los Angeles Times shows the absurdity of the pro-Prop. 8 side's argument that marriage must be limited to one man and one woman because it is inextricably linked to procreation. Time to sign those divorce papers, Grandma and Poppy!