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Another step in the right direction. *NM* snoopcester Send a noteboard - 04/08/2010 11:08:15 PM
(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.

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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued a ruling invalidating Proposition 8:

“Judge Walker had the great responsibility of deciding whether Proposition 8 violates the Constitution of the United States. He heard in-depth arguments from both sides on fundamental questions of due process, equal protection and freedom from discrimination. There are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and I am glad that all viewpoints were respected throughout the proceedings. We should also recognize that there will continue to be different points of view in the wake of this decision.

“For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for all Californians to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity.

“Today's decision is by no means California's first milestone, nor our last, on America's road to equality and freedom for all people.”
*MySmiley*

Robert Graves "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either."

Henning Mankell "We must defend the open society, because if we start locking our doors, if we let fear decide, the person who committed the act of terror will win"
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Judge rules California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional - 04/08/2010 10:40:50 PM 1362 Views
Thank God. *NM* - 04/08/2010 10:52:30 PM 380 Views
Amen. *NM* - 05/08/2010 02:09:24 AM 436 Views
Good news, but as the article says, it'll go all the way to the SC. - 04/08/2010 10:55:58 PM 712 Views
So then is that how we do it? - 04/08/2010 11:01:19 PM 836 Views
Of course. - 04/08/2010 11:04:59 PM 744 Views
His point was - 04/08/2010 11:40:14 PM 892 Views
Yeah but: What Ghavrel said below *NM* - 05/08/2010 08:01:02 AM 431 Views
And again... - 05/08/2010 06:08:56 PM 590 Views
well that is sort of the idea of how democracy works - 04/08/2010 11:06:57 PM 725 Views
I'm not the one who came up with the referendum system, you do realize. - 04/08/2010 11:11:13 PM 734 Views
The referendum system, in my opinion, has been a failure, especially in CA. - 04/08/2010 11:46:21 PM 817 Views
democracy has been a failure in CA. - 05/08/2010 02:42:21 PM 603 Views
No. It just shows the problems of a crazy electorate. - 05/08/2010 03:29:21 PM 720 Views
I think you made my point *NM* - 05/08/2010 03:35:00 PM 399 Views
About Californians being crazy, yes. *NM* - 05/08/2010 04:53:32 PM 373 Views
we vote fro way to much crap in general - 05/08/2010 02:41:19 PM 664 Views
Yeah, I agree. - 05/08/2010 04:11:34 PM 657 Views
my one recent dealing with our criminal justice - 05/08/2010 04:25:30 PM 695 Views
There are certain things that should not be decided by a vote... - 05/08/2010 02:02:45 AM 729 Views
I do agree with you on that. Hell yes, and on a subject like this in particular. - 05/08/2010 02:17:24 AM 785 Views
Re: I do agree with you on that. Hell yes, and on a subject like this in particular. - 05/08/2010 10:46:54 AM 777 Views
I understand it. - 05/08/2010 03:06:40 PM 759 Views
I know you don't support proposition 8 - 05/08/2010 03:29:34 PM 747 Views
- 05/08/2010 03:34:01 PM 785 Views
But that is just simplistic and silly to complain about when it is a long standing possibility - 05/08/2010 03:46:59 PM 666 Views
Oh, ees it? - 05/08/2010 04:07:39 PM 805 Views
Well they knew the rules before they started the whole thing - 05/08/2010 04:12:33 PM 644 Views
Why would you complain if you won? - 05/08/2010 04:15:20 PM 735 Views
You could recognise that you won by the system working in a way you don't like? - 05/08/2010 04:23:58 PM 616 Views
I'm sure that happens, in general. - 06/08/2010 02:43:18 PM 602 Views
It seems to happen a lot nowadays - 06/08/2010 03:06:33 PM 635 Views
instead it should be decided by judges who answer to no one? *NM* - 05/08/2010 07:12:59 AM 387 Views
The same judges who upheld our private right to bear arms. - 05/08/2010 02:09:07 PM 764 Views
not when judges stop using the Constitution - 05/08/2010 02:30:51 PM 739 Views
Sexual preference is not the right being protected. - 05/08/2010 03:22:04 PM 808 Views
I know that the 14th amendment is routinely used in ways it was never intended. - 05/08/2010 05:25:07 PM 718 Views
I realize that, but it is ultimately a good thing. - 05/08/2010 05:31:19 PM 790 Views
I am really on the fence a bit on the whole issue - 05/08/2010 06:00:59 PM 733 Views
I generally agree with you. - 05/08/2010 06:33:56 PM 750 Views
let's take away the citizenship of all black people if that's the way you think - 05/08/2010 09:06:23 PM 646 Views
Come now lets not be stupid - 06/08/2010 05:31:18 PM 613 Views
sorry but your statement was completely ignorant. - 06/08/2010 07:27:09 PM 732 Views
I will talk as soon as you stop spouting stupid rhetoric and say something relevant - 06/08/2010 07:54:09 PM 696 Views
bullshit. you will personally attack me no matter what i say. - 07/08/2010 02:04:04 PM 744 Views
Let's just be clear about which amendment is which. - 05/08/2010 11:50:57 PM 612 Views
but that still ignores intent and expands the law in ways not intnented when it created - 06/08/2010 04:53:43 AM 671 Views
Yes, no, no, and no. - 06/08/2010 05:29:09 AM 706 Views
there are serious flaws in your thinking here - 06/08/2010 06:18:13 PM 786 Views
Your assertions continue to lack support. - 06/08/2010 07:23:17 PM 813 Views
not all you just refuse to see things you disagree with - 06/08/2010 08:36:32 PM 781 Views
...said the pot to the kettle - 06/08/2010 09:17:28 PM 850 Views
yes but a shiny stainless steel pot - 09/08/2010 11:21:33 PM 896 Views
You continue to be wrong about history and the role of courts. - 10/08/2010 01:05:39 AM 1240 Views
If he's wrong, a lot of law scholars and Supreme Court Justices are wrong. - 10/08/2010 01:44:05 AM 699 Views
Brown vs. Board of Education, 'nuff said. *NM* - 10/08/2010 04:32:37 AM 383 Views
part oif the problem appears to be you completely missing the point - 10/08/2010 01:23:19 PM 911 Views
let my simplify my argument - 10/08/2010 01:42:47 PM 616 Views
Since when is marriage a right? *NM* - 05/08/2010 04:11:16 PM 373 Views
it may not be a "right"... - 05/08/2010 04:22:44 PM 647 Views
This is where the debate comes into play.... - 05/08/2010 05:04:08 PM 662 Views
How much would it change the debate if it was nurture, really? - 05/08/2010 09:48:22 PM 680 Views
except this is not merely a matter of changing society - 05/08/2010 11:18:48 PM 726 Views
1948. *NM* - 05/08/2010 04:50:30 PM 369 Views
It's a benefit that is being extended selectively to one set of the populace. - 05/08/2010 04:52:52 PM 729 Views
Hey, I'm single.... - 05/08/2010 05:05:41 PM 643 Views
That's a specious argument and you know it. - 05/08/2010 05:13:17 PM 716 Views
A homosexual has every opportunity as well..... - 05/08/2010 05:23:56 PM 662 Views
Oh quit the bullshit already. - 05/08/2010 05:29:15 PM 863 Views
Slow your role... - 05/08/2010 09:08:54 PM 769 Views
Your religious beliefs have 100% to do with your position. - 05/08/2010 09:43:23 PM 811 Views
Sorry, but what a nonsense. - 05/08/2010 09:27:17 PM 631 Views
hey that's it, jens! you solved the WHOLE PROBLEM!!! - 05/08/2010 11:24:29 PM 765 Views
ON TO WORLD HUNGER! - 06/08/2010 07:59:51 AM 658 Views
LET THEM HAVE CAEK. *NM* - 06/08/2010 02:29:56 PM 354 Views
Are you sure it's wise to feed people on a lie? *NM* - 06/08/2010 02:34:26 PM 444 Views
People are fed lies all the time - 06/08/2010 09:30:37 PM 639 Views
I agree with you - 05/08/2010 05:06:40 PM 697 Views
That's not valid. - 05/08/2010 05:26:50 PM 708 Views
I invite you to read the judge's conclusions, linked again inside. - 05/08/2010 11:43:44 PM 748 Views
Since 1948 - 06/08/2010 04:01:02 AM 852 Views
gah. can. only. see. typo. *NM* - 06/08/2010 03:43:21 PM 343 Views
I don't see any typo... *NM* - 06/08/2010 04:07:18 PM 401 Views
Open the link. *NM* - 06/08/2010 04:47:04 PM 490 Views
Oh, right. Yeah, that does kinda detract from things. *NM* - 06/08/2010 04:48:47 PM 379 Views
I agree - 05/08/2010 07:22:17 AM 721 Views
And Civil Rights lost the Democrats the South. - 05/08/2010 03:44:56 PM 733 Views
but it was done by congress passing laws and the president signing those laws - 05/08/2010 04:20:19 PM 682 Views
uhm, what? - 05/08/2010 04:24:43 PM 670 Views
those were mostly rulings up holding laws not stiking them down - 05/08/2010 05:05:15 PM 740 Views
I was under the impression that the supreme court had a role in it - 05/08/2010 04:31:51 PM 659 Views
but the court was not over turning the laws passed by congress - 05/08/2010 05:11:06 PM 705 Views
No, like in this case, isn't it? - 05/08/2010 05:24:19 PM 651 Views
I would say that is another case of judicial activism and shows the danger of the practice - 05/08/2010 05:43:02 PM 618 Views
Which one is? I imagine from different view points both are. - 06/08/2010 10:34:11 AM 619 Views
The law wasn't constitutional. - 07/08/2010 06:17:04 AM 656 Views
well it will take a higher court to decide that - 09/08/2010 10:46:15 PM 686 Views
Hard to believe it's the same governor who said "Gay marriage should be between a man and a woman." *NM* - 04/08/2010 11:05:45 PM 457 Views
Or "Iff it bleeds we can kill itt!" *NM* - 04/08/2010 11:14:45 PM 432 Views
Another step in the right direction. *NM* - 04/08/2010 11:08:15 PM 452 Views
Link to the full court order inside: - 04/08/2010 11:43:29 PM 843 Views
The judge quoting Scalia in favour of gay marriage is fairly amusing. - 04/08/2010 11:50:47 PM 721 Views
What page was that on? - 05/08/2010 11:25:49 AM 638 Views
Nah, it was way above page 109, in the findings of fact somewhere. - 05/08/2010 12:37:48 PM 742 Views
Oh, that is brilliant. - 05/08/2010 01:12:21 PM 646 Views
Pretty much. - 05/08/2010 01:44:22 PM 773 Views
I've always wondered what basis there is for banning necrophilia if "it's disgusting" is invalid. - 05/08/2010 01:51:19 PM 720 Views
because you cannot give consent when you are dead? - 05/08/2010 03:04:46 PM 709 Views
what if you give consent while you are still alive? - 05/08/2010 03:21:59 PM 810 Views
Is it then illegal? - 05/08/2010 03:23:46 PM 728 Views
I would think it would be illegal even then - 05/08/2010 03:34:31 PM 742 Views
Wikipedia to the rescue! - 05/08/2010 04:20:15 PM 867 Views
A dead body is just an object, not a person with rights. - 05/08/2010 03:27:08 PM 730 Views
Yes, but - 06/08/2010 08:42:05 AM 683 Views
Absolutely not. - 06/08/2010 03:21:14 PM 736 Views
not to mention necrophilia has a large potential to be hazardous to health. - 06/08/2010 09:42:43 PM 782 Views
That was a very well written judgement. - 05/08/2010 11:24:38 AM 736 Views
- 05/08/2010 12:10:02 AM 731 Views
Totally agree. - 05/08/2010 01:01:42 PM 775 Views
+1 *NM* - 05/08/2010 03:42:08 PM 397 Views
Irrelevant decision.....this was heading to SCOTUS from day 1 *NM* - 05/08/2010 12:53:26 AM 412 Views

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