Equality California Denounces Efforts by Anti-Equality Groups to Keep Hearing on the Release of Prop 8 Trial Tapes Hidden from Public View

San Francisco- On Monday Federal District Judge James Ware will hear arguments on whether to release video tapes recorded during Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case that struck down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional in August 2010. Yesterday, the court released a statement stating that the hearing will not be taped because anti-equality advocates would not consent.

In response, Equality California Executive Director Roland Palencia released the following statement:

“The Proponents of Prop 8 are not only trying to keep the trial tapes under wraps, but also do not want the public to see the arguments they will be making at Monday’s hearing. This lack of transparency makes clear that what anti-LGBT extremists fear most is an open examination by the public of their malicious lies and fallacious arguments.

“Unfortunately, their tactics are not confined to the courtroom. The same shadowy strategy is at work right now as these same people collect signatures to overturn the FAIR Education Act.

“Openness and transparency in our government and courts of law are fundamental principles of our democracy. We appeal to Judge Ware to uphold these principles and release the Prop 8 trial tapes so citizens can understand the true, extremist agenda of our opponents.”

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Equality California has passed more than 70 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org