CA Prop 8 Trial Recap Day 9

After two weeks of powerful and often emotional evidence, the plaintiffs presented their last live witness today. On Monday, after playing some videos of deposition testimony, the plaintiffs will rest their case, and then the defendants will have their turn. Typically, at the end of all witness testimony, the attorneys present closing arguments. This morning Judge Walker announced that there will be a two week break before closing arguments to give the parties a chance to review the evidence. Today, we heard expert testimony from Dr. Gregory Herek, a professor at U.C. Davis, who is an authority on sexual orientation and stigma. On direct examination by the plaintiffs' attorney Ethan Dettmer, Dr. Herek explained that a person's "sexual orientation" can be defined based on an enduring pattern of attraction to men, women, or both, and can also include a person's own self-identification, as well as their pattern of sexual behavior. Dr. Herek testified that since the 1970s it has been the consensus in the field of psychology that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and that sexual orientation has no inherent connection to a person's ability to contribute to society, be happy, and lead a normal life. Strongly supporting one of the plaintiffs' core arguments, Dr. Herek testified that there is no evidence "conversion therapy" is effective in changing a person's sexuality. In fact, he testified, the American Psychological Association has expressed concern about LGBT adolescents participating in "conversion therapy," which sends a harmful and false message to young people that homosexuality is a disorder. Full Story from Pam's House Blend

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