California gay marriage ban, Proposition 8, overturned in federal court, unconstitutional (video)
A federal judge overturned a California gay marriage ban, known as Proposition 8, today. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker delivered the ruling amongst a crowd of same-sex couples anxiously awaiting the announcement. Proposition 8 defined marriages as between one male and one female.
Judge Walker found Proposition 8 unconstitutional and though the news is seen as a victory, gay marriages cannot resume as the order is under appeal.
There is a great likelihood the matter will be heard before the Supreme Court. The next step is for the appeal to go before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals. The parties from both sides were ordered to submit their written arguments for their appeals by August 6, 2010.
CNN spoke with Executive Director for Equality California Geoff Kors after the ruling was announced. He said, “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.”
President of the National Organization for Marriage Brian Brown said to CNN after the ruling, “Big surprise! We expected nothing different from Judge Vaughn Walker, after the biased way he conducted this trial. With a stroke of his pen, Judge Walker has overruled the votes and values of 7 million Californians who voted for marriage as one man and one woman."
Comments
This is what America is becoming. It is okay to teach our little boys that being sodomized their entire lives is constitutional and okay. Aren't our teenagers confused enough already? Now they are going to feel the need to try both sides to figure out what they like. This is ridiculous! Then everybody wonders why this country is falling apart!!! Freedom to do good is great, but too much freedom to do bad is not so good. Why has it been scientifically proven that the life span of homosexuals is significantly shorter that those in normal relationships? Why? Well because it is WRONG! Why is it wrong? Well, because it is BAD for you! Everything that God tells us is wrong is not because He is trying to destroy our lives, it is because He wants to protect our lives because He cares for us!
HOORAY FOR GAY MARRIAGE!! WOOHOO!!! IT IS ABOUT TIME THIS GOT OVERTURNED!! EQUALITY FOR ALL!!! TIME TO CELEBRATE!
HEDied4U - you do realize your going to hell for what you said right? But keep on preaching... God hears us all.. including those who have nothing but HATE.. which is clearly what you are all about! Good luck in hell my friend.
I am thrilled that Prop 8 was overturned and believe that if those ruling over the appeal are interested in what it is constitutional, they will uphold this action. This isn't about anyone's religious beliefs, this is about the constitutional rights of every citizen of this country. Lest you forget, this country was founded on the separation of the church and state. You are free to believe whatever you like, but you are not free to impose your beliefs on those around you. If you are a Christian who opposes this action, you may want to go back and review the tenants of your faith. Love others as you would love yourself ... it isn't about picking and choosing and judging. HOORAY FOR TODAY'S VICTORY ... NOW TO CONTINUE THE IMPORTANT WORK OF PROTECTING EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO FREEDOM AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. :)
to "HeDied4U"
Im a young adult. Daughter of a lesbian, who is being raised by her mother and her mother's partner. First off, please explain to me how it is "bad" to have affection for the same sex? It's no different than a man having affection for a woman. Just because a woman is a lesbian or a man is gay, it doesn't mean that they don't have the same mentality as the next straight person. You're telling everybody that all gay men do is, have intercourse? NO, wrong. In your ignorant eyes, that's all you see. But to be related to a homosexual will you learn that they are no different then straight people. Maybe when you get your head out of the bible and take a look into reality, you'll realize that this is REALITY. So just sit back and be prepared for your children to ask about their sexuality.
In response to "Hedied4u" and "bree" to begin: bree, you are right and hedied4u is wrong. in my opinion anyways. hedied4u, does it say anywhere in the bible that homosexuality is wrong? seriously. because from i learned, God loves EVERYONE--whether they be gay, straight, homosexual, etc. When a person loves someone, it doesnt matter the gender. Love is love. And if two people truly love eachother, they should be able to show it by getting married. America- The land of the FREE and home of the brave, correct? or hmmm... do i have it wrong. if this is a free country, people should be able to get married. For all we know, God he/she could be homosexual! we dont know for sure. Everyone should be treated with respect. God says love thy neighbor as thy self. so apperently, Hedied4u, you didnt learn that.
The National Library of Medicine pubs confirm that sexual orientation is natural, biologically induced in the first trimester of pregnancy, morally neutral, immutable, neither contagious nor learned, bearing no relation to an individuals ability to form deep and lasting relationships, to parent children, to work or to contribute to society.
From the American Psychological Association: homosexuality is normal; homosexual relationships are normal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Asociation and American Psychiatric Asociation have endorsed civil marriage for same-sex couples because marriage strengthens mental and physical health and longevity of couples, and provides greater legal and financial security for children, parents and seniors.
America's premier child/mental health associations endorse marriage equality.
Homosexuality is not a sin according to the Bible. Scholars who have studied the Bible in context of the times and in relation to other passages have shown those passages (Leviticus, Corinthians, Romans, etc) have nothing to do with homosexuality. These passages often cherry-picked while ignoring the rest of the Bible. The sins theses passages are referring to are idolatry, prostitution, and rape, not homosexuality.
(Change *** to www)
***.soulfoodministry.org/docs/English/NotASin.htm
***.jesus21.com/content/sex/bible_homosexuality_print.html
***.christchapel.com/reclaiming.html
***.stjohnsmcc.org/new/BibleAbuse/BiblicalReferences.php
***.gaychristian101.com/
Homosexuality is not a choice. Just like you don't choose the color of your skin, you cannot choose whom you are sexually attracted to. If you can, sorry, but you are not heterosexual, you are bi-sexual. Virtually all major psychological and medical experts agree that sexual orientation is NOT a choice. Most gay people will tell you its not a choice. Common sense will tell you its not a choice. While science is relatively new to studying homosexuality, studies tend to indicate that its biological.
(Change *** to www)
***-news.uchicago.edu/releases/03/differential-brain-activation.pdf
***.newscientist.com/channel/sex/dn14146-gay-brains-structured-like-those-of-the-opposite-sex.html
Gay, Straight Men's Brain Responses Differ
***.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155990,00.html
***.livescience.com/health/060224_gay_genes.html
***.springerlink.com/content/w27453600k586276/
Whoooohooooo!
Kudos to Washington D.C.!
Kudos to Mexico City!
Kudos to Iceland!
Kudos to Portugal!
Kudos to Argentina!
Kudos to CALIIIIFOOOORRRRNNIA!
Down with bigotry! Down with hate! Down with discrimination!
I am not even gay and I'm thrilled about this overturn. Because it is right. Because it is high time.
Whoooohooooo!
Kudos to Washington D.C.!
Kudos to Mexico City!
Kudos to Iceland!
Kudos to Portugal!
Kudos to Argentina!
Kudos to CALIIIIFOOOORRRRNNIA!
Down with bigotry! Down with hate! Down with discrimination!
Wow! I didn't realize you had soo many readers Charisse:-)
"With a stroke of his pen, Judge Walker has overruled the votes and values of 7 million Californians who voted for marriage as one man and one woman." Mark my words, the U.S. Supreme Court will affirm Judge Walker's ruling. My purpose in posting this comment is not to debate the issue or take sides, but simply to underscore the fact that the opinions of our voters are meaningless. So why bother voting?
Janette: With a stroke of their pen, judges overruled what 70+% of the people were against in 1967, by making interracial marriage legal. Damn those activist judges!
And this should tell you why this all makes me sick. Is their no intelligence or decency among you? I think I am going to be sick. If its not the race card its the gay card.
Joe Schmoe marries his dog...
Marick: Looks like you ain't liking the truth :)
Wow, you are a little smart aren't you, shadow_man? I can see most of these comments are by you...is this your day job? You don't need to affirm who you are...we already know. Now go play nice. HeDied4u, I agree 100% with you. Its sad. What would be even nicer is if they would keep their sick a@@ ways to themselves. I don't rant about my personal life, but most (not all)gays wear it like a red flag.
I'm not a hater shadow_man. I actually have friends who are bi and gay. I do not approve but they don't flag it in my face either. I pray for them like I am going to pray for you.
Marick: Ahhh, more attacks and name-calling. Not surprising coming from an anti-gay. And i wasn't aware it took you all day to type a paragraph =) Lol, and where's your proof that most gays "wear it like a red flag?" You should pray for yourself, because God opposes discrimination =)
Janette,
We are not ruled by a tyranny of the majority. Voters made their voice heard, but their voice was supporting something that is unconstitutional. That's why we have the Constitution: to extend liberty to all, even in the minority.
I took the time to read Walker's ruling. I recommend everyone do that. It is impossible to argue with the logic in it.
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