Across the nation tomorrow in over 90 cities the LGBT community and their allies will take to the streets as a part of “Day of Decision” events to either protest or celebrate the California Supreme Court’s ruling on Proposition 8. The court will make its decision public at 10am PST with the events occurring the same evening. There are three possible rulings as described on the Day of Decision website:

1) Upholding the anti-gay Proposition 8 in full, including invalidating the 18,000+ same-sex marriages that were solemnized before the proposition’s passage last November 4th;

2) Upholding Proposition 8’s ban on all future same sex marriages, but allowing the 18,000 already conducted to stand; or,

3) Invalidating in its entirety Proposition 8’s discriminatory ban on same sex marriage.

Lesbian and gay activists would consider the upholding of Proposition 8 in whole or part (#1 and #2 above) to be a serious defeat to be met with angry protests.  On the other hand, a complete invalidation of Proposition 8 would lend an immense boost to the already powerful momentum for equality provided by the recent wins for same sex marriage in Iowa and Vermont.

Day of Decision co-founders Andy Thayer and Robin Tyler were on NBC Nightly News last night discussing the upcoming decision.

Visit the Day of Decision website for a complete list of cities and events.

The California Supreme Court will finally announce its ruling next Tuesday, May 26 at 10am on Proposition 8. The measure which passed last November, wrote discrimination into the California constitution by disallowing same-sex couples the right to marry. More details here (pdf).

Depending on the ruling, celebrations or protests are scheduled to occur throughout the state and across the nation early next week. To find out about events that may be occurring in your area visit the DayOfDecision.com

As suspected the California Supreme Court delayed their ruling on Proposition 8 thanks to a last minute called place by San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom.

From Towleroad:

Confidential sources close to San Francisco City Hall told Towleroad’s Corey Johnson that the California Supreme Court was prepared to release its opinion on Proposition 8 tomorrow, but decided to delay the ruling after a call from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

“Newsom reached out to the Supreme Court and asked them to hold off releasing their decision so it did not coincide with the White Night riots,” said our source.

I’m glad at least that the mayor was cognizant of the timing of the ruling, which would have fallen on the 30th anniversary of the White Night riots. But what of the California Supreme Court… Didn’t they know? Or did they know their decision would cause celebrations, not mayhem?

UPDATE: Gavin Newsom’s office has issued a statement denying he contacted the California Supreme Court with regards to the Prop 8 ruling.

Move along. Nothing to see here. At least this week. From the court’s website:

May 20 2009 — No opinions were announced for filing on Thursday, May 21, 2009.
There is no pending notice of forthcoming opinion filings. When opinions are expected to file, notices are generally posted the day before. Opinions are normally filed Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

The California Supreme is Court is taking its sweet precious time in delivering a ruling on Proposition 8. Time is running out for the court as they have to reach a decision before June 5. But considering a ruling tomorrow would have fallen on  the 30th anniversary of the White Night riots, and on the eve of Harvey Milk’s birthday , perhaps it’s wise for the court to wait at least another week.

When the ruling is finally announced, celebrations or protests are scheduled to occur throughout the state and across the nation. To find out about events that may be occurring in your area visit the DayOfDecision.com