Two expert witnesses that were to be called by the defendants in the Prop 8 trial will never see the witness stand.  Now that transcripts and videos of their depositions have been released (the videos have since been removed from YouTube), we can better understand why.  Based on the transcripts that were released, the experts cannot point to valid reasons as to why gay marriage should not exist in the state of California.

Highlights from Paul Nathanson’s deposition on 11/12/2009:

He acknowledges that he is aware that the American Anthropological Association, American Psychoanaltyic Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association and American Academy of Pediatrics have all said, in one form or another, that gay marriage is not a bad thing.

Q – Now, using opinion in the sense that you do as a researcher, do you have an opinion as to whether permitting gay people to marry increases the stability in commitment of their relationship?
A – It increases.
Q – It increases the stability in commitment of their relationship?
A – That’s right.

Read the entire Paul Nathanson transcript here.

Highlights from Katherine Young’s deposition on 11/13/2009:

Q – Okay.  Let me use your word, “durability”.  Do you believe that children are advantaged by increasing the durability of the relationship of the couple raising them?
A – Yes.
Q – And do you believe that the durability of the relationship of a gay couple is enhanced by permitting the gay couple to marry?
A – On that variable, yes.

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Q – Okay.  Is it the case that love and commitment are the reasons that most people feel for wanting to marry?
A – Today?  Probably yes.
Q – Indeed, you have seen studies that indicate that, correct?
A – Yes.
Q – And you have not seen any studies that indicate the contrary, correct?
A – Correct.

Read the entire Katherine Young transcript here.

In other news, there was a fight today in court over a document from the Church of Later Day Saints.  The document states:

With respect to Prop. 8 campaign, key talking points will come from campaign, but cautious, strategic, not to take the lead as to provide plausible deniability or respectable distance so as not to show that church is directly involved.

Julia Rosen over at Prop8 Trial Tracker says:

Get that? The LDS Church intentionally worked to hide behind the scenes to disguise their involvement in the public realm. The LDS Church is well aware that the general public does not have the most favorable opinion of them. Attention on their involvement could have hurt their cause, namely passing Prop 8.

(Photo: mylocationscouts’ photostream)

Tags: California, Gay, Gay Rights, Lawsuits, LGBT, Prop 8