Shannon Minter: Perry v. Schwarzenegger Proceedings, Day 1

[Butterfly]

Shannon Minter: Perry v. Schwarzenegger Proceedings, Day 1
Pam's House Blend
By Autumn Sandeen
11 January, 2010


http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14796/shannon-minter-perry-v-schwarzenegger-trial-day-1


By Shannon Minter

From the first moment to the closing bell, Judge Walker moved the proceedings forward at a rapid clip. It was a great day for our side, spiced with some intriguing hints from Judge Walker about how he may be viewing some of the key legal issues in the case. Photo of NCLR's Legal Director Shannon MinterTed Olson and San Francisco Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart gave eloquent opening statements. Both plaintiff couples presented emotional and moving testimony during their examinations and cross-examinations. And by the end of the day, the plaintiff's first expert witness (the distinguished American history scholar, Professor Nancy Cott) had made significant headway through her testimony, showing that that marriage has never been universally defined as a union of one man and one woman, and that religion has never had any bearing on the legality of a marriage.