Nathanson's Almost Testimony: Equality Popping up Everywhere
Today, I watched* a snippet of video deposition of one Paul Nathanson, who was to be called as a defense witness (i.e., supporting the anti-equality side of the argument) in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, until his name was withdrawn. The given reason for withdrawing his name, of course, was incredible fear of persecution at the hands of the gay menace; the rather obvious reason, after one sees this bit of his deposition, is that he would only have weakened the case for the defense.
Now, it comes as no surprise really that witnesses under oath might not sound so convincing in stating a case against marriage equality as they do, say, in free-wheeling television commercials underwritten by, say, the Mormon Church. However, this bit of deposition sounds rather more like making the case for plaintiffs than anything else.
The video can be seen at the website of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, here. (AFER also is helpfully posting their copies of the hearing transcripts here.)
Here is the transcript of the beginning of the deposition excerpt that startled me so much. I believe the questioner here is Mr. David Boies, co-counsel for plaintiff (i.e., the fair side). Remember, this is an opponent of marriage quality:
Q – Do you know what position the American Anthropological Association takes, if any, with respect to the issue of gay marriage?
A – They support it. They support it.
Q – Do you know what the position, if any, of the American Psycho-Analytic Association is with respect to gay marriage?
A – They support it.
Q – Do you know what the position of the American Psychological Association is, if any, with respect to gay marriage?
A – They support it.
Q – Do you know what the position is of the American Psychiatric Association…
A – They support it.
Q – … with respect to gay marriage, if any?
A – They support it.
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Q – Are you familiar with the American Academy of Paediatrics?
A – No. No, I’m sorry, I am. And they also support it.
Q – They also support what?
A – Gay marriage.
Q – Do you know any of the reasons why the American Academy of Paediatrics supports gay ma
A – They see no problem for children.
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* H/T Jeremy at Good As You.