Prop. 8: John Roberts’ lesbian cousin ‘absolutely’ proud of ruling

SAN FRANCISCO -- The lesbian cousin of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said Wednesday she was “absolutely” proud of the procedural ruling he authored that will permit her and her partner to marry in the months ahead.

Jean Podrasky, 49, a San Francisco accountant, attended oral argument on the same-sex marriage cases as a guest of Roberts, a first cousin whose mother is Podrasky’s godmother. She said she had hoped to introduce him to her partner, Grace Fasano, 53, but there was no opportunity.

Now that the Supreme Court has cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California, Podrasky and Fasano plan to exchange vows in the next several months in a ceremony with about 50 guests at Lake Tahoe.

Although excited about the Proposition 8 ruling, Podrasky said she was disappointed her cousin did not join the majority overturning a key section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which barred federal recognition of same sex marriage.

“I guess he just fell back on his conservative beliefs,” she said.

She indicated Roberts probably would not be on the guest list for her wedding. “I want it intimate and I don’t want to blow too much money,” Podrasky said.

Fasano, a manger at a biotech company, said she wanted to invite “people we are really close to and will be super excited to witness it first hand.”

Roberts is a conservative appointed by President George W. Bush in 2005. Podrasky, who attended one of his confirmation hearings, is more liberal. She said she has sees him occasionally at family events.

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