Fear and Prejudice on Trial

We remember during the 2008 campaign in California the remarkable campaign of slurs, innuendo, and outright lies that opponents of marriage equality indulged in. Remarkably–or perhaps it's no surprise at all, really–when it came time for them to make their case in court, under oath, it turned out that there was no understandable, rational reason to oppose marriage equality for gays and lesbians, except that opponents feel it really, really strongly. So far in our history strength of emotional belief in some myth is not taken as positive scientific evidence or credible legal argument.

The witness stand is a lonely place to lie, and when you come into court you can't do that. And that's what we proved: we put fear and prejudice on trial, and fear and prejudice lost.

— David Boies, attorney for plaintiffs, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, "Face the Nation", 8 August 2010

Posted on August 9, 2010 at 12.43 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Common-Place Book, Faaabulosity

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