Prop 8 Overturned!

[Sassagoula Billy]

I can't believe there isn't a thread here!

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/04/california.same.sex.ruling/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

Judge rules California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

(CNN) -- A federal judge in California on Wednesday overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, saying the voter-approved rule violated the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians.

The decision, issued by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco, is an initial step in what will likely be a lengthy legal fight over California's Proposition 8, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

At stake in the trial was whether California's ban on same-sex marriage violated the constitutional rights to equal protection and due process of two gay couples that want to marry.

The case was watched closely by both supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, as many say it is likely to wind its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. If it does, the case could end in a landmark decision on whether people in the United States are allowed to marry people of the same sex.

"We are thrilled with today's ruling, which affirms that the protections enshrined in our U.S. Constitution apply to all Americans and that our dream of equality and freedom deserves protection," said Geoff Kors, executive director for Equality California, shortly after the decision.

Kristin Perry and Sandy Stier, along with Jeffrey Zarrillo and Paul Katami, are the two couples at the heart of the case, which if appealed would go next to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before possibly heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Outside a San Francisco courthouse, a small group of same-sex marriage supporters waited for the decision. They waved flags and carried signs that read: "We all deserve the freedom to marry." Rallies were planned for later in the day.

Proposition 8 is part of a long line of seesaw rulings, court cases, debates and protests in California over the hotly debated issue of same-sex marriage. It passed with some 52 percent of the vote in November 2008.

Prior to Wednesday's decision, Rick Jacobs, founder of the Campaign Courage, which supports same-sex marriage, said he was hopeful about the possibility of victory, but prepared for a long legal battle.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in five U.S. states and in the District of Colombia. Civil unions are permitted in New Jersey.

"The significance of the case is earth-shattering," said Jacobs.

 

[mikelan6]

Great news indeed!

 

[zulemara]

DL wedding here I come!!!!

 

[OKW Lover]

DL wedding here I come!!!!

You may not have to travel to DL for a wedding for too long. This is going to get appealed all the way to the Supreme Court and if (yah, I know big if) they rule in favor then it will be the law of the land.

Just also noted that the judge stayed his order pending appeal so that means for now that same sex couples still can't get married in CA. Of course you can still come to MA!

 

[pat fan]

never mind.

 

[smmast]

Best news i've heard all day! Now i must wait for Maryland to get on the marriage band wagon.

 

[Sphyrna]

I was listening to OutQ on XM on the way home from work and heard this! I was getting misty eyed!!

 

[TagsMissy]

i too was happy to hear this... no it's not legal yet but at least its now open up again as a possibility. i have hopes that one day it will be a federal law in the US as it is up here.

 

[f86sabjf]

we're still pulling for you gang. As long as we have a chance to fight your dream will remain alive and we will support you all the way.

 

[mickeysaver]

I heard this as breaking news on NPR this evening on my way home from work. Very exciting news! One day.....

 

[PHILCT]

This is such great news, I hope it continues to go well as it moves up to the higher courts.

Wouldn't it be great if it broke the back of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the government was forced to deal with Federal Gay Couple Benefits !

 

[AmandaSparks730]

RI is pretty much hopeless for gay marriage. Our govenor's not allowing it. Ever.

At least MA isn't too far away!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

If refusing to allow all adult Americans to have the same rights to marry is overturned on a federal level RI along with Florida (and the rest of those states that insist that you have to have opposite genders to make a marriage) won't have much of a leg to stand on.

 

[ConcKahuna]

RI is pretty much hopeless for gay marriage. Our govenor's not allowing it. Ever.

At least MA isn't too far away!

If it makes it to a federal level, your governor isn't going to have a choice

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Woohoo!

I'm currently in an internship in City Hall in Providence. I could always try and track down the Mayor--who happens to be gay! --and talk to him and try to get something going

There was actually a big rally in front of the State House a few weeks ago. Some...church-y people from like...Delaware are on this "SAVE MARRIAGE" campaign and stopped here.

Needless to say, they were met with a ton of pro-gay marriage protesters! It was pretty awesome, and I got to use the article as part of my human rights summer work.

 

[jharrowell]

Just heard about this on the BBC here in the UK, I'm so stoked for you guys!!!!

I've always considered moving to the states but the anti-marriage laws were a sticking point.

Maybe it's time to look at options again!

 

[Saxton]

This totally threw me for a loop - I didn't know when the ruling was going to come down. But this is fantastic news!! I'm more hopeful that I have been for a long time. If it goes to the Supreme Court and if they decide to take the case I think our chances are good. The Federal District Judge in California did an excellent job of outlining the issues on a point by point basis.

 

[kamik86]

Just also noted that the judge stayed his order pending appeal so that means for now that same sex couples still can't get married in CA. Of course you can still come to MA!

Actually unless it has been changed (possible I don't follow this that close) they can't. The governer made a law (since he hated that same sex marriage was allowed at all) that you couldn't marry in MA if the marriage would not be legal in your home state. His reasoning was that he didn't want massive numbers of gays traveling to MA to get married. (Personally I was thinking, why not? we could use the tourism money!)

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I was listening to OutQ on XM on the way home from work and heard this! I was getting misty eyed!!

Who were you listening to? Michael or Frank? Or someone else? I like OutQ for the most part, but Michael goes on something awful once in awhile! LOL.

I think it's great how we can discuss this current events topic without rancor here on the GLBT board.

Thank you all for your comments and courtesy!!!