PETA knows no line, and the animal rights organization is now filing suit against SeaWorld, alleging that the park chain is violating the constitutional rights of orca whales. PETA, three marine-mammal experts and two former orca trainers will file a lawsuit tomorrow in Los Angeles asking a federal court to declare that five wild-caught orcas - who are forced to perform at SeaWorld - are being held as slaves in violation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. more ›

The historic fight over gay marriage began a new chapter yesterday, as the federal trial over Prop 8, which banned gay marriage in California, saw its first day. Some of the first words heard were of Ted Olson, a major conservative figure who was President George Bush's appointed United States Solicitor General and lawyer in Bush v. Gore. Despite his background, the California raised and educated lawyer has sided with the right for same-sex marriage. more ›

Every time we have a statewide election, there tend to be a few bond measures in there. Last November, one was the popular high speed rail bond that raised nearly $10 billion to whisk people from Los Angeles and San Fransisco in two hours, thirty-eight minutes. Most all agree, it's a good thing, but when it comes down to paying bonds back, it can run the state into fiscal problems such as we're facing today. more ›

Rick Jacobs, Chair of the Courage Campaign, accompanied by Reverend Eric Lee, President of the Southern Christian Leadership Council of California, held a press conference outside the Los Angeles Mormon Temple this week. They attempted to peacefully deliver a petition with nearly 17,000 names of Californians opposed to the Mormon Church's funding and tactics in support of Proposition 8. They simply asked that the LA Mormon Church pass on these petitions to Utah. This video literally captures the runaround that the church gave them, and in the end, they were denied an opportunity to talk to a representative of the church or to even deliver the signature-laden pieces of cardboard. more ›

Fourth of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But today, 221 years ago back in 1787, the Constitution was signed (read the full text here). We don't really celebrate it, but "it was only four years ago that Congress passed a law mandating the celebration of Constitution Day, at least by schools and federal agencies," said the San Francico Chronicle, who has a fun little quiz about the Constitution. One relevant question to California: "If a gay couple married under the laws of California moves to Kansas where gay marriage is not recognized as legal," then... more ›

Warning: Many of these images are NSFW, or Not Safe for Work.

As it gets closer to the November election, more and more propositions are being qualified for the ballot. Most notably is Prop. 8 (pdf), something that's been talked about for a couple months now. It's the state constitution amendment change that would limit marriage in California, effectively stopping the same-sex marriages that have just begun. more ›