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May 15, 2008

This Just In ... California Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage

The California Supreme Court has overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, by a vote of 4-3.

From The New York Times:

The court’s 4-to-3 decision striking down state laws that had limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman makes California only the second state, after Massachusetts, to allow same-sex marriages. The decision, which becomes effective in 30 days, is certain to play a role in the presidential campaign.

“In view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship,” Chief Justice Ronald M. George wrote of marriage for the majority, “the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples.”

Of course, it's not all smooth sailing from here, as the L.A. Times notes:

The state high court's 4-3 ruling was unlikely to end the debate over gay matrimony in California. A group has circulated petitions for a November ballot initiative that would amend the state Constitution to block same-sex marriage, while the Legislature has twice passed bills to authorize gay marriage. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed both.

Here's a PDF of the court ruling and reactions in California. Our reaction: w00t!

Posted by Christine C. at 12:31PM | Permalink | Comments (1)