Queer Long Beach

It’s things like this that prove exactly why opponents of marriage equality didn’t want the Proposition 8 trial broadcast. A lawyer for the anti-gay marriage folks, David Thompson, needs to make the case that LGBT folks don’t face discrimination and therefore Proposition 8 was a legitimate plebiscite and not an example of the tyranny of the majority. In an effort to do that he makes this point:

Day 3 of the Proposition trial is rolling with the resumption of testimony from George Chauncey, a Yale history professor and plaintiffs expert on the history of discrimination. He is under cross-examination from David Thompson, a Proposition 8 lawyer who is trying to undercut the professor’s testimony that gays and lesbians have been the target of unrelenting discrimination through history, including in modern times. Thompson has asked about television and movies on gays and gay issues, such as the TV show “Will & Grace” and the 1993 movie “Philadelphia.” And he is asking Chauncey about presumed improvements in the political arena, with gains in gay rights through ordinances around the country and in the California legislature.

Yale Professor George Chauncey remains in the hot seat under cross-examination from Proposition 8 lawyer David Thompson. Thompson continues to pound on the theme that gays and lesbians no longer face widespread discrimination, and in fact are gaining in political power. Chauncey is not buying entirely in that argument. “The bottom line is that there has been a significant shift in public opinion toward acceptance of gay rights, correct?” Thompson asked.

“There has been a shift in public opinion and growing support for gay people, and gay people continue to encounter enormous hostility,” Chauncey replied.

Saying that gay people aren’t discriminated against because of Brokeback Mountain or Will & Grace is like saying black people aren’t discriminated against because of The Cosby Show or The Color Purple… I think whoever hired this guy should demand their money back.