Gay Marriage Legal in California
Thursday May 15, 2008
Twice has the California state legislature attempted to legalize gay marriage in California. Both times, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed the measures, arguing that the court system should decide on the issue. And it did!
On May 15, 2008, in a 4-3 decision, California's Supreme Court ruled in favor of plaintiffs (comprised of gay rights group Equality California, almost two dozen gay couples, and the city of San Francisco), who argued that the 2000 law banning same-sex marriage in the state was discriminatory. The decision makes California the second U.S. state to legalize gay marriage.
"Limiting the designation of marriage to a union 'between a man and a woman' is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute," California Chief Justice Ron George said in the written opinion.
Gay marriage opponents are collecting signatures to place the issue on the November ballot in hopes of striking down the measure. It's unclear at this time whether the initiative has enough strength to be successful. In the meantime, same-sex California couples, gay rights organizations and gays across the country are celebrating the landmark victory.
In a written statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote, "I welcome the California Supreme Court’s historic decision. I have long fought against discrimination and believe that the State Constitution provides for equal treatment for all of California’s citizens and families, which today’s decision recognizes."
Update: Proposition 8 passed by a vote of 52.5% approved to 47.5% opposed, defining marriage in the California constitution as between one man and one woman and reversing the previous ruling in favor of gay marriage. Passage of the initiative marks the first time a group of individuals have been added to a constitution and then removed. More on Prop 8 and California same-sex marriage.
Image: Stuart Gaffney (L) and his partner John Lewis hold a California flag in front of the California Supreme Court May 15, 2008 in San Francisco, California. © Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.
Comments
Yay! About time.
Good for them…I am gladd to hear that they finally get to be just liek everyone else,, now lets get some other states to do it as well
Yay!!! Now when is it Pensylvania’s turn???
This is almost unbelieveable!!! I am so elated to now be able to marry the one I love so dearly!
i agree! pa needs to turn it around!
now how long do i have to reside in cali in order to get married there?
OMG I NEVER IN MY LIFE THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WHILE I WAS ALIVE LOL .. N O BUT REALLY I HAVE HAVE BEEN WITH MY GIRLFRIEND FOR 2 YEARS AND WE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT MARRIAGE AND NOW THAT ITS CAME TO CALI ITS A DREAM COME TRUE LOL HOPE YOU ALL THE BEST…
LONNIE*@
MYSPACE THANKS
This Is Nosence, What is the world comming to.
(Shaking My Head) Were Striaght, Don’t Hate!
When is it coming to missouri? And do you have to live in Cali in order to get married there?
It is about time. People are people regardless of who they love. Everyone else needs to jump on the bandwagon
Im so happy that i can marry tha one im so in love with!! im comin from louisiana!! california see ya soon!!! Tiffany loves Kanyma!! My lady fa ever
Unfortunately, Down Under we’re still behind the times but Bec and I have found many interesting and wonderful ways of securing our future together. One way ironically being fetured in the all Australian and all heterosexial “COSMO BRIDE” about our name change. Wish you guys all the best…CONGRATS
wow, why are you people celebrating
most people in california voted YES on prop 8
that means that most people in california do not want to accept to change the definition of marrige…gay people already have the same befits as a regular couple does..thats why there is domestic partnership..whick gives gays the same rights a normal couple has….so then why do gay people want to cahnge the definition of marrige!!! we shouldnt let happen to california what happened in massachusetts…they forcebly are teaching children from elementry schools about gay marrige without the parents being able to do anything about it…..and that is not right…..i do believe that gay couples should have the same rights as normal couples..which they already do…but i also believe that they should just keep the children out of this
So YES on prop 8, for the children, would be the rigtt choice
Gay people have the same rights to marry someone of the opposite sex? Sounds like you missed the whole point. Did you think with your own brain to come up with that meaningless cliche?
YES!!!!! This is a huge accomplishment for many people who are in love and have the rights just as you do. I prayed for some of you who have posted comments. You cannot judge!!! GOD JUDGES US..And God says “as long as our love is stong and we believe in him unconditionally, with out pretents that we will all be loved and accepted into heven where we will live in eternal piece”. So I hope that you do some research before you are quick to judge. Take time and talk to some one who may be a homosexual and you will see that they are no different than you. Some of our most famous, wealthest people are homosexuals. Our mothers and fathers, our sisters and brothers, our nieces and nephews, our sons and daughters. The fireman, the policeman, the postal worker, the secetary, the nurse, and the doctor, WE ARE ALL THE SAME. AND WE ALL WERE CREATED THROUGHOUT LOVE!!! Remember that when you are quick to say hurtful things such as “what is this world comming to” there are people who read that and do get offended. Me however I am a 28 years old Proud LESBIAN WOMAN. With a 2 year old very articulate son. My sexual prefrance does not for a second take away from the person that I have grown to love, and be.
God Bless all of you.
Even the HATERS!!!!
Destiny Bronx, NY
Hello,
Here’s an article that may be of interest to you… “How To Support Gay Marriage When You’re Straight”
http://www.ehow.com/how_4690998_support-gay-marriage-youre-straight.html
Thanks in advance,
Angela
about time. Im sorry but i been for gay forever because im bi and ppl need to get of that ppl like the same sex i know its hard for some but ppl like wat ever they like to like.
yea this is great