Proposition 8 defenders seek to intervene against Hollywood-backed lawsuit

SAN FRANCISCO — The official proponents and campaign committee for Proposition 8, ProtectMarriage.com, filed a motion to intervene Thursday in federal court against a new Hollywood-backed lawsuit designed to tear down California’s voter-approved marriage amendment, upheld by the California Supreme Court just three days ago. ProtectMarriage.com is represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and ADF-allied attorney Andrew Pugno.

“In America, we respect the results of fair elections. But some will go to any lengths to override what both the people of California and the California Supreme Court have concluded: that marriage in California is still legitimately protected by law as the union of one man and one woman,” said Pugno.

“This latest lawsuit is yet another attempt by those who want to redefine marriage to achieve what they have not been able to obtain,” Pugno said. “We seek again to vigorously defend the definition of marriage that has existed since the founding of this state, that has been affirmed by the people, and that has been upheld by the courts.”

A foundation led by a Hollywood-area public relations firm that frequently represents celebrities and their causes is backing the lawsuit, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, which attorneys for two men and two women in same-sex relationships filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, on May 22.

A federal judge has already granted the request of ADF attorneys to allow ProtectMarriage.com to intervene in a separate lawsuit that also challenges the constitutionality of California’s marriage amendment as well as the federal Defense of Marriage Act. 

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.