By Melanie Nathan

The federal trial against Proposition 8 is scheduled to begin on January 11 and Judge Vaughn Walker has suggested that the proceedings could be the first to be televised under new authorization from the Judicial Council of the 9th Circuit in san Francisco.

Those who backed Proposition 8 will have to defend it in court, but they are terrified that their hard hearts and corrupt minds will be exposed to millions of viewers.  Their argument against cameras in the court room revolved around fear of witness exposure and possible intimidation. 

Do they not forget that lesbians and gays are the usual hate crime victims?  Do they fear the very same the risk we take when we come out as gay or lesbian,  into a society they helped create?  The mere action of placing of  PROP 8 on the ballot reflects their indulgience in the very public expression of hate that promotes danger for us.  Now these cowardly turd-bags are afraid to be seen and come out (no Pun intended) to stand up to defend their misgivings. 

I say if you propose HATE then be ready to take the HEAT (did I spell that right?)   They started a war and now they cannot take flak.  Personally I cannot wait to see it on TV; maybe I will stay home rather than go to the Court as I had originally planned.

Apparently some witnesses have indicated that they would not be willing to testify if the trial is to be televised. Can you believe that? Well that is good  news and so it should be.  Don’t testify – maybe therein lies the Karma – Headlines :  “Prop 8 Commits Suicide. ”   or “Proponents of Prop 8 Cave in to the Pressure  of Hate or Heat”

In their objections they relied on the argument that a long-standing court rule prohibits cameras and cannot be changed until the court invites and considers public comment. The filing by attorney Charles Cooper hinted that the Yes-on-8 campaign would ask higher courts to intervene if Chief  U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker approved TV coverage. 

But we here in San Francisco Activist row say the Cameras must be on.  If you are able to vote away my rights then I ought to be able to see you explain yourself in Court.  So when a lawyer filed support for TV coverage on behalf of for the couples challenging Prop. 8 they were correct in basing this on the ‘overwhelming national public interest in the issues.’ Safety concerns voiced by defenders of the measure are ‘unsubstantiated and groundless speculation,’ said attorney Theodore Boutrous.” 

I say to those in fear – do not testify or learn what it is like to walk the streets waiting for someone to bop you on the head just because you ARE….. you!