(San Francisco, CA, June 5, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied review by a larger panel of judges of that Court’s February 7, 2012 decision striking down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional. Proposition 8 is the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The Ninth Circuit’s February decision held that Proposition 8 violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution because it "serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples."
“Today’s refusal by the Ninth Circuit to grant further review is a testament to the meticulous and well-reasoned opinion originally issued by the Court," explained NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq.. "While the supporters of Proposition 8 will now seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court, there is no doubt that they are on the wrong side of history. Excluding same-sex couples from the right to marry runs counter to our highest ideals of equality and fairness.”
Today’s denial means that Prop 8 supporters have 90 days to ask the United States Supreme Court to review the case, which opponenets of marriage equality surely will.
"Today the full 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to re-hear the decision striking down Prop 8. Millions of Californians who gave their time and treasure to protect marriage deserve better," stated Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage. "We are calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve our democratic rights and overturn this action of judicial arrogance.
Now the real question is 'When will oppenents file to the US Supreme Court?' Will the wait for the last minute to buy themselves more time as they did last time, or will they try to rush their case? What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
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