Proposition 8 Plaintiffs Tie the Knot In Lavish Beverly Hills Ceremony On The Anniversary Of The Historic Ruling

2008 was a life-changing year for Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo. It was the year that the couple decided they wanted to get married, and it was also the year that California voters passed Proposition 8, banning marriage for same-sex couples. But rather than spend a year or two picking centerpieces and creating a registry, Jeff and Paul spent the next five years making their way from Federal District Court in California to the U.S. Supreme Court, as lawyers Theodore B. Olson and David Boies argued for marriage equality for all couples. And on June 28th, 2013, Proposition 8 was declared unconstitutional. Mere hours later, Paul and Jeff were married in a legal ceremony by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "The only thing missing that day was our family," Jeff exclusively tells Brides. So a few months later, he and Paul decided that they needed to celebrate the momentous decision — and their love for one another — in the most deserving of ways: with a wedding!

On Saturday June 28th, 2014, exactly a year after Proposition 8 was overturned and they were legally wed, Paul and Jeff tied the knot at the Beverly Hilton, hosting a private dinner for 150 friends and family members in the hotel's Stardust Penthouse, decorated by Stacey Ruiz and Jason Harder of Shiraz Events and Luna Gardens Events. "We told them what we like, and they ran with it," say the grooms. "It was more than we could possibly have dreamed."

After dinner, the couple and their guests headed downstairs to meet 80 additional revelers, and Paul and Jeff exchanged personal vows on a platform over the pool in a ceremony officiated by Olson and Boies. They spun straight into a dance with their moms, sliced their five-tiered cake byJoanie & Leigh's Cakes, then partied the night away with their guests, sipping Moët & Chandon and squeezing in some time in the photo booth. Our Labor of Love got it all on film.

The day went off without a hitch, thanks to the incredible team that made it happen. "It's a memory we'll never forget," says Paul, "because we never ever dreamed it would be possible." Adds Jeff, "Being in the LGBT community, you cope with the idea that you may never have access to certain things. And when you get them, it's overwhelming. And the support we got from everyone on such a personal level made the celebration even more memorable." And their guests felt it, too. "One of our friends came up to us and said that the love was reverberating so strongly that they'd be feeling it for days," says Jeff. "We soaked it in, and I know we'll be feeling it for a long time to come."

Click through the slideshow to see exclusive photos from the couple's absolutely stunning celebration!

Prop 8 Architect Set to Take the Helm of San Francisco Archdiocese

Oakland Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, one of the leading architects in the campaign to pass the discriminatory Proposition 8 in California, has been named the new Archbishop of San Francisco by Pope Benedict XVI. Cordileone played a central role in founding and executing the Protect Marriage campaign, and under his influence, Catholic organizations in California played a leading role in financing the Prop 8 campaign. His partners included the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and Focus on the Family. In fact, it was Cordileone who personally phoned NOM co-founder Maggie Gallagher and asked her to get NOM involved in the Prop 8 fight.

Now, as Archbishop of San Francisco, Cordileone will oversee more than 400,000 Catholic parishioners across 90 parishes. As a metropolitan archbishop, Cordileone will have bishops in dioceses including Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Honolulu, Sacramento, and Reno under his supervision.
“Bishop Cordileone has proven himself to be an anti-gay activist who encourages and promotes discrimination against LGBT people,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Catholic teaching calls on us to love our neighbors and to treat others with the same respect we wish for ourselves.

Unfortunately, Bishop Cordileone’s crusade against LGBT people indicates he doesn’t take these particular teachings to heart. While LGBT Catholics and their allies have worked relentlessly to create welcoming environments, the appointment of Bishop Cordileone sends a chilling message that, in the eyes of the hierarchy, same-sex relationships are not worthy of equal dignity and respect.”
Bishop Cordileone’s extremist views are out of step with the majority of Catholics. A May 2012 Gallup poll found support for marriage equality among Catholic at more than 50 percent, as did a recent poll from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Cordileone is set to be ordained as San Francisco’s new archbishop in early October. That same month, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide whether it will hear arguments on Prop 8.

Romney funded Prop 8 through anti-gay group?

Mitt Romney's political action committee contributed $10,000 to help pass California's Proposition 8, but did so through a hard-to-detect PAC donation to the National Organization for Marriage, according to documents provided to the Human Rights Campaign by a whistle-blower at NOM. 

"It’s clear now that Romney was a major financial donor to Prop 8, but it’s also clear that his campaign very cleverly hid this contribution," said Fred Sainz, HRC's vice president for communications. NOM was a key player in the passage of Proposition 8, which ended legal marriage for same-sex couples in California.

A look back at the Prop. 8 decision

A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled that Proposition 8’s enactment by California voters in November 2008 violated the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.

Gay City News has the play-by-play.

Proposition 8 supporters argue gay judge tainted case

Supporters of California's Proposition 8 have filed a motion arguing the federal judge who ruled that the measure was unconstitutional was unfit to hear the case because he is in a same-sex relationship and did not disclose that fact at the time of the trial. 

Proposition 8 opponents say that argument is absurd, and legal experts predicted it would fail to sway an appellate court that is considering the case.

Proposition 8 appeal delayed

The California Supreme Court has decided to tackle a tough legal question posed to it by a federal appeals court, namely whether Proposition 8's proponents have legal standing to appeal a federal district court decision that found the ballot measure unconstitutional. The state's high court is not expected to issue its answer before September.

California's high court could enter Prop 8 case again

California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said the court could decide next week whether it will weigh in on a pending federal appeal of the decision in the Proposition 8 case. 

The court has been asked whether Proposition 8 backers have standing to appeal the lower-court decision that struck down the measure as unconstitutional.

9th Circuit panel hears argument in Proposition 8 case

Oral argument in the appeal of a ruling overturning California's Proposition 8 was heard at the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Monday, with judges drilling down thoroughly on whether the Proposition 8 supporters even have standing to appeal. The judges also appeared to signal they could limit the scope of the case to apply only to California couples. A decision in the case is likely to come early next year, and the case could be heard in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012, according to this article.

Click the link to see video of the 9th Circuit Court Oral Argument on Same Sex Marriage.

Proposition 8 defenders ask judge to recuse himself

Lawyers for supporters of California's Proposition 8 last week asked appeals court Judge Stephen Reinhardt (pictured) to disqualify himself from hearing the case because they say his wife's position as an American Civil Liberties Union official could interfere with his impartiality.  

Reinhardt responded that he would not recuse himself.

Quote of the Day: Reverend Jesse Jackson

"We stand with you today to support Marriage Equality, and to declare that Proposition 8 must be struck down as unconstitutional." - Rev. Jesse Jackson at today's Marriage Equality USA gathering at today's Prop. 8 hearing as reported by Change.org

INSTINCT MAGAZINE HONORS PROP. 8 PLAINTIFFS PAUL KATAMI, JEFF ZARRILLO AND THE LEADING MEN OF 2010

Some 145 activists, actors, politicians, physicians, entrepreneurs and other men of courage and character have worn the title of Instinct Leading Man over the past six years, and this November Instinct magazine will add 20 new gentlemen to that esteemed list with their Leading Men 2010 issue.

And it all starts with the couple who dared to put their love to a judicial test at the federal level—Proposition 8 plaintiffs Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo (pictured).

As the two prepare for the Prop. 8 trial’s start in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 6, they sat down exclusively with Instinct to talk about the roller coaster of emotions that was 2010, how they feel about the case moving forward and what it was like to face intense opposition—from their own community—to even pushing Prop. 8 into the courts in the first place.

But Katami and Zarrillo are just two of this year’s 20 Leading Men, a diverse representation of openly gay men chosen to showcase those doing great things for and within the gay community.


Other Leading Men for 2010 include hometown hero Mondo Guerra (left) of 'Project Runway', GLAAD’s Jarrett Barrios, Tea party crasher Chase Whiteside, author Michael Cunningham and more.

FCKH8 - A message to those who oppose gay marriage

FCKH8.com Straight Talk About Gay Marriage from FCKH8.com on Vimeo.

The FCKH8 campaign sends a message to those who oppose gay marriage - GET OVER IT! Warning: Don't watch the video if you're averse to hearing (frequent) F-Bombs.

Prop. 8: New hope for Hawaii

Same-sex couples suing Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle for the right to enter into civil unions say the decision in the federal Proposition 8 lawsuit in California gives them hope that they, too, will win their case.

The Prop. 8 Report

Dave Fleischer talks about the Prop 8 Report's main findings. To read the Report, go to www.prop8report.com.

Judge Vaugn Walker a judicial tyrant?

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Some same-sex marriage opponents are calling Judge Vaughn Walker a “judicial tyrant” for lifting a stay on gay marriages.

California set to resume marrying gay couples

Same-sex couples may be able to marry again in California starting this week after U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker denied a motion to stay his earlier decision invalidating Proposition 8.

But in his ruling last Thursday, Walker delayed the resumption of marriages for same-sex couples until this Wednesday, giving marriage equality opponents time to ask for another stay from a higher court.

MilehighGayGuy Advertiser Shout Out: Denver Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo

Save the date and cue the wedding march!

The Denver Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo Denver Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo will be at the Magnolia Hotel on August 22 from 1-4pm and, with the recent Prop. 8 decision in California, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

Find everything you need to plan the wedding of your dreams as you mix and mingle with dozens of gay-friendly wedding professionals at the summer wedding event gay Colorado has been waiting for.

The Denver Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo is free to attend and you can RSVP online at www.samelovesamerights.com/Events/denver.html.

Gay Prop. 8 Judge to be impeached?

The American Family Association, part of the coalition of right-wing religious groups that spearheaded Proposition 8 in 2008, is asking its 2.3 million supporters to pressure Congress to impeach Judge Vaughn Walker (pictured), according to the Courage Campaign.

They say the AFA is using Judge Walker's sexual orientation to attack him as a "black-robed tyrant whose own lifestyle choices make it impossible to believe he could be impartial."

Prop. 8 appeals begin

The Associated Press is reporting that Protect Marriage -- the coalition of right-wing religious groups that sponsored Prop 8 --  filed an appeal today in response to Judge Vaughn Walker's historic ruling yesterday striking down the discriminatory initiative. Walker has ordered both sides to submit written arguments by Friday as he determines whether to grant a stay in the case.

Meanwhile, Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage launched a counter-attack to rally the religious right, calling Walker's decision a sign of a "Soviet-style" government takeover of marriage, leading the way as conservative groups stoke a backlash against the decision. - via www.couragecampaign.org/DefendTheDecison

GLBT Center Statement Regarding Prop. 8 Decision

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) applauds the ruling yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker that Proposition 8 in California is unconstitutional and should be repealed. 
 
Walker ruled that California's ban on same-sex marriage violates the Constitution's equal protection and due process rights clauses.
 
"Although the battle for equality is far from over, this ruling shows it's unconstitutional to deny the LGBT community equal protection under the law," said Center Executive Director Carlos Martinez. "This should lead to a national standard instead of the patchwork of state laws we have now."
 
Martinez and his husband, Phil Danielson, were married in California in 2008, but that marriage is not legally recognized in Colorado.
 
Marriages between people of the same sex are not recognized in Colorado because of the state's constitutional amendment passed in 2006 defining marriage in this state to be between one man and one woman.  Several laws passed in recent years do, however, provide some protections to LGBT Coloradans.

Jason Cobb and Jason Prussman were also married in California during the brief time such marriages could legally be entered into. Their son, Jacobb, was the ring bearer during their ceremony. 

"This ruling is a huge step showing that separate is not equal and that marriage is a fundamental right in this country, not just for some, but for all people," said Jason Cobb.  Both Cobb and Prussman are attorneys in the metro-Denver area and have followed the litigation in California closely.

Walker's decision is expected to be appealed to the Ninth Circuit and eventually the U.S. Supreme Court, but the legal challenges could take some time.  "The litigation battle to overturn Amendment 2, the anti-gay ballot initiative that would have precluded protections at any level to protect LGBT Coloradans, took many years before ending with the correct result," Martinez said.
 
The opinion in that case, written by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Kennedy, famously stated:
"A State cannot so deem a class of persons a stranger to its laws."

Walker's decision is expected to be appealed to the Ninth Circuit and eventually the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
In May 2008, California's Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the equal right to marry under the state constitution.  That decision was effectively overruled when Proposition 8 was approved by voters on Nov. 4, 2008 by a 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent margin. About 18,000 same-sex couples were married in California between June 17 and Nov. 4, 2008.

The day after the vote, three lawsuits challenging Proposition 8 were filed in the California Supreme Court.

The GLBT Community Center of Colorado is the only statewide, nonprofit community center dedicated to empowering and advancing Colorado's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population. It serves as a catalyst for community organizing, support services, social activities and cultural events. To learn more about The Center, click here.
 

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