BREAKING: Proposition 8 ruled unconstitutional
In a landmark victory, a federal judge declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional.
Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that California’s Proposition 8 should be overturned in a 136-page ruling.
According to the Dallas Voice:
The defense has said it will appeal Walker’s decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the case is expected to eventually wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The defense has also requested a stay of Walker’s ruling pending appeal, but Walker has not yet ruled on that request. If the stay is granted as expected, same-sex couples could not begin marrying in California right away.
The conclusion of the ruling:
“Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite- sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.”
And an excerpt from the ruling:
A private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-se couples is not a proper basis for legislation.
(Photo: New York Times, hat tip to Queerty)
Posted by Dan Leveille on August 4th, 2010 at 5:11pm
