California gay marriage ban overturned

[Peace on Earth]

SAN FRANCISCO — In a major victory for gay rights advocates, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down a California ban on same-sex marriage.
In a landmark case that could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the voter-approved ban, known as Proposition 8, violates due process and equal-protection rights under the U.S. Constitution. He said that "moral disapproval" alone is not a basis to deny rights to gays and lesbians.

It will probably go to the Supreme Court, but it is a step in the right direction.

edit: I can't post a link yet.

[Coelacanth]

Indeed. I am thrilled to pieces.

[leftace53]

Theres a thread about this in Politics. Despite my dislike of marriage, this is good news.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

I think this is great news.A victory to be sure.

[Communist]

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Breaking: (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/08/12/breaking-judge-rules-gay-marriage-in-california-to-resume-next-week/) Judge rules gay marriage in California
to resume next week

By Jessica Geen
August 12, 2010 - 21:18

Same-sex marriages are to resume next week in California after a federal judge lifted the ban.

Judge Vaughn Walker ruled last week that banning gay marriage in the state is unconstitutional but ruled on Thursday that his verdict should apply now, rather than staying the order while gay marriage opponents appeal.

However, the week-long delay means that gay marriage opponents can appeal to a higher court to keep the ban in place.

Judge Walker wrote: “The evidence presented at trial and the position of the representatives of the State of California show that an injunction against enforcement of Proposition 8 is in the public’s interest.
"Accordingly, the court concludes that the public interest counsels against entry of the stay proponents seek.”

If no order to keep the ban is made, gay couples can begin marrying again on Wednesday August 18th.

California legalised marriage for gay couples in 2008 but the voter initiative Proposition 8 struck it down in the same year.

Judge Walker's verdict comes after a three-week trial in February, which was the first federal trial to examine the issue.

Both Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown had asked the him to lift the stay.

The issue is expected to be contested all the way to the US Supreme Court.


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[Communist]

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It's not over by a long shot. But it's a great development.

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[Communist]

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Let's see what happens today.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzRQLAATzo&feature=player_embedded


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