Prop 8 Trial Update, Day 7

It was a phenomenal day in the courtroom, in particular testimony from Ryan Kendall about forced conversion therapy that moved many to tears. We also heard surprising revelations from experts who were supposed to support Prop 8 but whose opinions instead clearly shored up our side. After today, I wish more than ever that the public could be watching the video of this trial - I have truly never seen anything like it. Fortunately, daily transcripts of the trial are now being released with a one day delay and are available on AFER's website. The morning began with an argument over whether the court should allow excerpts to be played from the depositions of two of the defense's expert witnesses, Dr. Paul Nathanson and Dr. Katherine Young. Before trial, each side submitted a list of the witnesses they expected to call, and the Prop 8 proponents said they would call Dr. Nathanson and Dr. Young as experts. Both experts were deposed prior to trial, and their deposition testimony was recorded. Recently, however, the proponents withdrew both witnesses from testifying, suggesting that the experts had requested not to be called due to fears stemming from the proposed broadcasting of the trial. This morning, the plaintiffs asked to play some of those witnesses' testimony, and the Prop 8 proponents objected. Judge Walker allowed the evidence in. It was immediately clear why the Prop 8 proponents had really withdrawn these two expert witnesses -- their testimony strongly supported the plaintiffs' claims, not the defense. Indeed, many in the courtroom appeared to be shocked by how much the defense's experts sounded like they should have been testifying for the plaintiffs. In particular, Dr. Young testified that: (1) homosexuality is a normal variant of human behavior; (2) there have been sub-traditions of allowing marriage between same-sex couples in a number of cultures; (3) allowing same-sex couples to marry enhances their security and well-being and is good for their children; and (4) studies show that there is no harm to children from being raised by gay parents and there is "no reason to predict harm." Dr. Nathanson testified that, in the past, religion has been used to justify discrimination against people based on race and gender in the name of "protecting the family." This testimony from the Prop 8 proponents' own witnesses powerfully refutes the defendants' claims. Full Story from Pam's House Blend

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