Judges Rule Prop. 8 Violates Constitution

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just found that Proposition 8, the 2008 California ballot measure that limited marriage to one man and one woman, violated the U.S. Constitution. This ruling upheld a 2010 decision by retired Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker. Backers of Proposition 8 can (and probably will) appeal the decision. They can appeal to a larger panel of the 9th Circuit or go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The court commented, “Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California.”

The other issue decided today was whether or not Walker's ruling could be invalidated because he should have disclosed that he was in a long-term gay relationship. However, the appeals court refused to invalidate his ruling.

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