An Historic Day

This is an historic day. For the first time a federal court has overturned 

Proposition 8 and found that it violates the rights of gays and lesbians who should 

enjoy a constitutional right to marry. The decision was a courageous one and I'm 

proud of Judge Walker who made it. He conducted a trial which proves the harm 

that loving gays and lesbians suffer when they are denied the right to marry, the 

right that others are permitted to enjoy solely on account of their sexual orientation. 

This case will now be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the 

United States Supreme Court will make the ultimate decision on Proposition 8. This 

may be a temporary victory but it's sweet. I hope that no stay will be granted 

because I know what it means to gay and lesbian couples who wish to marry and I 

agree that they suffer irreparable harm for every day they are denied the right to 

marry. 

The Court concluded that the evidence proved that Prop. 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same sex couples. The Court went on to say that California has no interest in discrimination against gay men and lesbians and that it is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses. I believe that this decision was well reasoned. I hope that one day the U.S. Supreme Court will agree and once and for all afford equal rights to those who for too long have been denied them."