Reply #6: Ted Olson & David Boies to Announce Federal Court Challenge to Prop. 8 [View All]

Source: Press Release

Ted Olson & David Boies to Announce Federal Court Challenge to Prop. 8
Tue May 26, 2009 8:44pm EDT

Attorneys Argued Bush v. Gore on Opposite Sides; Now Joined to Strike Down Prop. 8

Filing also calls for injunction against same-sex marriage ban until case is resolved, which would immediately reinstate the right for all Californians to marry

EDS: The news conference may be viewed live online at www.equalrightsfoundation.org

LOS ANGELES - Theodore B. Olson and David Boies will announce a federal court challenge to Proposition 8 on Wednesday, May 27 at 9:30 a.m. in Downtown, LA. The suit was filed by two same-sex couples who wish to be married but have been denied marriage licenses because of Proposition 8.

Olson, a former U.S. Solicitor General, represented George W. Bush in 2000's Bush v. Gore, which decided the presidential election. Boies represented Al Gore in that case. This is the first time they have served alongside each other as co-counsel. The case is a project of the American Foundation forEqual Rights.

The suit also calls for an injunction against Proposition 8 until the case is resolved, which would immediately reinstate marriage rights for same sex couples.

In May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state's law prohibiting same sex marriage was unconstitutional under the privacy, due process and equal protection guarantees of the California Constitution.

Proposition 8 was passed in November 2008 to amend the California Constitution to eliminate the equal rights it guaranteed to same sex couples. On May 26, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 as a valid amendment to the State's Constitution.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 27, 9:30 a.m.

WHAT: Theodore B. Olson & David Boies announce federal court challenge to Prop. 8.

WHERE: Biltmore Hotel, Emerald Room (Lobby Level) 506 South Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071

The case is a project of the newly created American Foundation for Equal Rights, which is dedicated to protecting and advancing equal rights for every American through legal, policy and political advocacy.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS19423+27-May-2009+PRN20090527