Prop 8 Trial Coverage Day 8: Hostile Witness Dr. Tam to Take the Stand

Today should prove even more interesting in the court room of the Prop 8 trial. Dr. William Tam, who claimed during the Prop campaign that if the initiative did not pass that gays and lesbians would next try to legalize sex with children, will be taking the stand as a hostile witness.

An excerpt from his deposition:

Question: “And it is your understanding that part of the gay agenda is legalizing underage sex?”
Answer: “Right.” (Page 43 of deposition)

“They lose no time in pushing the gay agenda — after legalizing same-sex marriage, they want to legalize prostitution. What will be next? On their agenda list is: legalize having sex with children.” (Pro-Prop. 8 email by Tam, page 78 of deposition)

“We hope to convince Asian-Americans that gay marriage will encourage more children to experiment with the gay lifestyle and that the lifestyle comes with all kinds of disease.” (Pro-Prop. 8 media interview by Tam, page 77 of deposition)

The taped deposition was played in court last week by the plaintiffs last week. Though Tam dropped out as a witness for the defendants (and they were probably grateful given that they want to hide this element of the Prop 8 campaign from the court), the Olson/Boies team as called him to the stand anyway.

The American Foundation for Equal Rights sent this bio on another witness to take the stand today.

- Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D. a Professor of Psychology at the University of California at Davis. He will testify about the nature of sexual orientation, how mainstream mental health professionals and behavioral scientists regard homosexuality, benefits conferred by marriage, stereotypes relating to lesbians and gay men, stigma and prejudice directed at lesbians and gay men, the harm to lesbians and gay men and their families as a consequence of being denied the right to marry, and how the institution of domestic partnerships differs from that of marriage and is linked with antigay stigma.