California’s same-sex marriage ban, better known as Proposition 8, was overturned today by a federal court judge.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled on a lawsuit that was brought by two gay couples who claimed that voter approved Proposition 8 was a violation of their civil rights. The vote passed in November, 2008 with 52% of the vote. Walker has been a longtime federal judge and was appointed by Ronald Reagan.
Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson said, “This is a victory for the American people. It’s a victory for our justice system,” and added that the decision “vindicates the rights of a minority of our citizens to be treated with decency and respect and equality in our system.”
An appeal is certain and both sides have been ordered to submit written arguments for the appeal in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The only states that allow same sex marriages are Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C.
The case could ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
