Professor Joslin Comments on Prop. 8 for KPCC
Professor Courtney Joslin commented on the legal battle over California's Proposition 8 for a radio show on Southern California Public radio station KPCC. In August 2010, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker held that Prop 8 violated the federal Constitution. Earlier this year, the Proponents of Prop 8 sought to vacate that ruling, arguing that because Judge Walker is in a same-sex relationship he ought to have recused himself.
"What they're essentially arguing is that no gay judge can impartially rule on issues that affect the rights of lesbian and gay people," said Joslin. "Courts have consistently rejected attempts to disqualify judges who were members of minority groups from presiding over cases that affected the rights of that group."
Professor Joslin is a scholar in the field of family and relationship recognition, with a particular focus on same-sex and non-marital couples.