The widely ineffective and controversial “treatment” purports to turn gay people straight. In reality, however, it can cause severe psychological trauma, and leads to increased risk of depression, social withdrawal, substance abuse, self-harm and suicide.

The landmark legislation was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown and championed by Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and others. Similar legislation was also signed into law by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and is being challenged by anti-equality forces in that state.

In recent months the “ex-gay movement” has experienced great turmoil. The long-time leader of Exodus International, an umbrella organization and its biggest proponent, recently closed the organization and apologized for the harm he and the organization caused. Check out this fascinating in-depth BuzzFeed interview with Alan Chambers.

During the 2010 Prop. 8 trial, AFER’s legal team led by distinguished lead co-counsel Ted Olson and David Boies proved conclusively in federal court – with expert testimony from Dr. Gregory Herek and the personal experiences of Ryan Kendell – so-called “therapies” that purport to turn gay people straight cause irreparable harm including increased risk of depression, social withdrawal, substance abuse, self-harm and suicide.

This led the court to conclude, as one of its 80 detailed findings of fact:

46. Individuals do not generally choose their sexual orientation. No credible evidence supports a finding that an individual may, through conscious decision, therapeutic intervention or any other method, change his or her sexual orientation.

Three years ago, the Federal District Court trial of California’s Proposition 8 concluded. It was the first time a federal court heard testimony on marriage for gay and lesbian couples.

AFER lead co-counsel Ted Olson summarized the case for marriage equality at closing arguments later that year:

The trial resulted not only in a historic August 2010 ruling that found Prop. 8 unconstitutional—a decision that was later affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—but also a comprehensive body of evidence and witness testimony clearly demonstrating that the government has no legitimate interest in discriminating against gay and lesbian Americans.

And now we will be making our case before the nation’s highest court. On March 26, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument on the constitutionality of Prop. 8 and the denial of marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples.

As AFER’s legal team prepares for that day, we know that every witness at trial and every piece of evidence definitively proves that gay and lesbian Americans should no longer be singled out for unfair, second-class treatment under the law.

This is our moment. Will you support our case for full marriage equality with a donation?

When the Supreme Court issues its decision by the end of June,  I am hopeful it will come down on the right side of history by embracing our Constitution’s enduring promise of liberty and equality for all. 

But, until then, we need your support now more than ever to help us make our case.

AFER has been providing daily highlights of what happened at trial. Check them all out:

Since he took the stand in 2010 David Blankenhorn has changed his view about marriage for gay and lesbian couples. In a June 2012 New York Times op-ed, Blankenhorn concluded that “the time has come for me to accept gay marriage and emphasize the good that it can do.”  “[T]o my deep regret, much of the opposition to gay marriage seems to stem, at least in part, from an underlying anti-gay animus,” Blankenhorn wrote.

• See more highlights >
• Day 12 transcript >

Watch all of the play “8,” based on the actual trial testimony.

AFER’s attorneys objected to Blankenhorn’s qualification as an expert.  The district court agreed, finding Blankenhorn’s opinion testimony to be “unreliable and entitled to essentially no weight.”

Yet, under cross-examination from AFER lead co-counsel David Boies, the witness revealed telling admissions.

• Check out more highlights >
• Read the day’s transcripts >

John C. Reilly reenacted parts of David Blankenhorn’s testimony at the Los Angeles premiere of the play “8,” which also included Brad Pitt as Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker and George Clooney as attorney David Boies.

AFER’s attorneys objected to Professor Miller’s qualification as an expert in the areas of discrimination against gays and lesbians and gay and lesbian political power.  After hearing his testimony, the district court concluded that Professor Miller “is not sufficiently familiar with gay and lesbian politics specifically to offer opinions on gay and lesbian political power.”

• See more highlights >
• Read the full transcript from day 10 >

• See more highlights >
• Read the full day 9 transcript >

Broadway star Rory O’Malley reenacted Professor Herek’s testimony from the Los Angeles premiere of “8” the play.

Note: Rory also played Ryan Kendell at the Broadway premiere. Footage of that performance is also included in the clip below.

• See more highlights from Mayor Sanders’ testimony >
• Read all of the testimony from day 6 >

M.V. Lee Badgett

Then, University of Massachusetts Amherst economics professor M.V. Lee Badgett testified about economic and demographic issues related the gay and lesbian couples and their children.

Professor Badgett explained how Proposition 8 inflicts substantial economic harm on gay and lesbian families and the State of California and its local governments.  She also testified that allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry would not have any adverse impact on heterosexual couples’ marriages.

• Read more highlights from Prof. Badgett’s testimony >
• Read all of the testimony from day 6 >

• Read more highlights from Helen Zia’s testimony >

Then Dr. Michael Lamb took the stand. A professor at the  University of Cambridge, Dr. Lamb testified that the children of gay and lesbian parents are just as likely to be well-adjusted as children raised by heterosexual parents, and that the children of gay and lesbian parents would benefit if their parents were able to marry.

• Read more highlights from Michael Lamb’s testimony >

He explained how state and local governments receive greater economic benefits from marriage than from domestic partnership.  He also explained how San Francisco has lost and continues to lose money as a result of the inequality imposed by Proposition 8.

• Read more highlights from Dr. Egan’s testimony >
• Read the full transcripts from Day 4 of trial >

Then, social epidemiologist Ilan Meyer testified about the harm gays and lesbians have experienced because of Proposition 8.

At the time of trial, Meyer was a Professor of Clinical Sociomedical Sciences and Deputy Chair for MPH Programs at the Department of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson recreated parts of Dr. Meyer’s testimony at the “8″ Los Angeles Premiere.

• Read more highlights from Prof. Meyer’s testimony >
• Read the full transcripts from Day 4 of trial >

She explained that marriage equality would help gay and lesbian couples and their children, while having no negative impact on stability of marriage as an institution.

• See more highlights from Professor Peplau’s testimony >
• Read the entire transcripts from Day 3 >