Page 89 - Heavenly Signs III by Mel Gable

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have pended review by the Supreme Court. Could the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage be brought to a
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national public vote as well? Isn’t the Supreme Court the final ruling authority for this country or is it God?

The movement for same-sex couples to obtain marriage rights and benefits in the United States began in the
1970s. It became more prominent in U.S. politics in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court declared the state's
prohibition to be unconstitutional in Baehr v. Lewin. It was during the early 21st century that public support for
legalizing same-sex marriage has grown considerably. There are various national polls conducted recently that
show a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage. In 1996, just 25% of Americans supported
legalization. Polls have shown that support is identical among whites and non-whites. Polling trends in 2010 and
2011 showed support for same-sex marriage gaining a majority. On May 20, 2011, the Gallup Poll reported
majority support for same-sex marriage for the first time in the country. This is a nation where the majority rules.
It is where democracy must reign and rule and not God and His Laws. On May 9, 2012, Barack Obama became
the first sitting U.S. president to publicly declare support for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Even more
recent events on November 6, 2012, Maine, Maryland and Washington became the first states to legalize same-
sex marriage through popular vote. This is again a sign of judgment coming to this nation. It will come when the
cup of iniquity becomes full. We as a nation are accelerating the filling process. 152

Supreme Court - Marriage

The case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 12-144 relates directly to the California “Prop 8” ballot
measure. It is whether the Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantee of “equal protection” prevents states from
defining marriage as only between one man and one woman. The “Prop 8” case as it has become known has been
down a complicated legal road. California's Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriages were legal in 2008. The
statewide ballot measure, banning same-sex marriages, passed with 52% of the vote later that same year. This
resulted in gay and lesbian marriages were put on hold. Attorney General Brown chose not to defend the lawsuit,
saying that Proposition 8 violates the 14th Amendment and should be struck down. Governor Schwarzenegger
also declined to participate in the defense but said it was appropriate for the courts to hear the case and “resolve
the merits of this action expeditiously” because it presents important constitutional questions. Two groups, the official
proponents of Proposition 8, ProtectMarriage.com, led by Dennis Hollingsworth, and a rival group, the Campaign
for California Families, sought to intervene as defendants. On August 4, 2010, Walker announced his ruling in
favor of the plaintiffs, overturning Proposition 8 based on the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the
Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Walker concluded that California had no rational basis or
vested interest in denying gays or lesbians the rights to marriage licenses. On January 4, 2011, in the appeal by the
defendant, the Ninth Circuit Court certified a question to the California Supreme Court. It was because
California officials had declined to defend the law. The Ninth Circuit stayed the appeal pending a response from
the California Supreme Court. On February 7, 2012, the three-judge panel ruled 2–1 in favor of the plaintiffs,
declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Proponents of Proposition 8 appealed the case Hollingsworth v. Perry to
the U.S. Supreme Court on July 31, 2012. California is the only state that accepted, and then revoked, same-sex
marriage as a legal right. The measure's supporters asked the justices to preserve the will of the voters concerning
this social issue. Opponents of “Prop 8” were seeking a court-ordered for the expansion of the “traditional” views
of marriage. The word “traditional” is used and not God’s Law. We continue to deny that God has revealed the
truth about homosexual relationships. God would have to offer an apology to Sodom for its destruction, if it was
an acceptable practice. This nation was designed to guarantee the “equal protection” and the right to pursue
happiness even if it is against God’s Law. The ultimate judge is God who people ignore. It will require God’s
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Judgment and perilous times to get a turning away from our wicked ways and a new generation.

153 "Same Sex Marriage Laws - History". National Conference of State Legislatures.

154 "Hollingsworth v. Perry, Proceedings and Orders". Supreme Court of the United States.