NYT BREAKING NEWS 4:43 PM ET: California Gay Marriage Ban Overturned

[flpoljunkie]

A federal judge in California has ruled that Prop 8 -- the voter initiative that banned gay marriage -- is unconstitutional, CNN and NYT are reporting.

Supporters of Prop 8 (that is, opponents of gay marriage) have already promised to file an appeal.

From Judge Vaughn Walker's decision:

Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/prop_8_ruled_unconstitutional.php?ref=fpbrk

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. We've waited so long...

I almost don't believe it...

I keep thinking something else will stop us.

I hope I'm wrong!

[JuniperLea]

2. Prop H8 Overturned!

Oh, I know the H8ers won't let it go at this... still, it's a reason to celebrate reason!!

[Parker CA]

8. No doubt! A huge victory today.

[daleanime]

3. YES!!!!

:woohoo:

[PA Democrat]

4. Great news!!

[closeupready]

5. Dammit! There goes November!

:sarcasm:

[JuniperLea]

28. LOL!!!

:rofl:

[Skittles]

6. WOOO!

:D

[eleny]

7. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[flpoljunkie]

9. A bit more added to OP from Judge Walker's decision. Also below.

From Judge Vaughn Walker's decision:

Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/prop_8_ruled_unconstitutional.php?ref=fpbrk

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kajsa]

13. Some of us NEVER ignored it!

Count me in that crowd.

St8 against H8, here.

[Uzybone]

what racist nonsense

[Uzybone]

14. what racist nonsense

[CakeGrrl]

21. .

:eyes:

That "looked slightly different" thing that you're so flippant about meant a hell of a lot to a lot of people in this country too. A few people have died in this country over that "slightly different" thing.

[JuniperLea]

27. Indeed!!

I really H8 seeing racist bullshit here. I thought we were beyond that crap.

[kjackson227]

22. You just soiled this happy post with your bigoted nonsense.

[DrToast]

23. Save the lecture

Stop pissing in the punch bowl.

[JuniperLea]

26. What hateful nonsense! What bigoted bullshit! What racist garbage!

DU has never forgotten this fight! That's just ignorant talk... and as for the rest, pure racism!

How dare you piss on our parade! What a crock...

Fertilizer!

[chelsea0011]

31. As KO says about Palin everynight, "you are an idiot"

[flpoljunkie]

33. You can't? We're Democrats! We believe in equality!

[Kajsa]

11. YES!!!!!

It's about damn time!!!!

:Happy dance: :)

[rocktivity]

12. Does this mean that gays that were married in CA are legally married again?

:shrug:
rocktivity

[closeupready]

15. It would have to be that way, if the law was illegal from its inception.

IANAL

[flpoljunkie]

17. Yes, altho this decision will be appealed by the the losing side.

[Kajsa]

19. The couples who were married while

same sex marriages were declared legal have always remained
legally married.

When Prop. 8 took effect, same sex marriages were no longer legal.

:-(

[DrToast]

20. They weren't unmarried.

Those who got married were allowed to stay married even after P8 passed.

Strange, I know, but so is the whole issue.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

37. I think they should register all over again and demand gfits!

...but that's just me.

It's a great day for common decency.

[Tesha]

39. How many blenders and Salad Spinners does one couple need? ;-) (NT)

[flpoljunkie]

32. NBC's Pete Williams said Judge Walker did not stay his decision.

Also you might be interested to know that prop 8 supporters can't call any new witnesses at the appellate level.

[ProSense]

16. One action that will cause RW heads to explode and

make a lot of people happy.

This is a cause for celebration.

I love the snip of the decision, perfect.

[JuniperLea]

29. It was beautiful, wasn't it?

Someone was put in their place... and rightfully so.

[Uzybone]

18. Great news

Another big step towards justice.

[IndianaGreen]

24. Equality under the law!

LGBT Americans are entitled to the same rights and privileges of citizenship as all other citizens, including the right to marry.

[rocktivity]

25. I guess the final frontier is having all states recoginize all gay marraiges

There's "no rational basis" for homosexuals having their marriages recognized by some states but not others if that's not something heterosexuals have to worry about.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[dionysus]

30. bout time.

[DevonRex]

34. WooHoooooooo!!!!!! That's the first thing I saw when I got on my computer a minute ago!

This is SO great! Congratulations!!!!!!

[Spheric]

35. May justice continue to prevail!

[jesus_of_suburbia]

36. Really good news! 50 years from now people will wonder why this even had to be decided in court.

:bounce:

:party:

[TTUBatfan2008]

42. Damn right...

It's pathetic that this is even in the courts at all. It's a complete no-brainer.

[bigwillq]

38. Awesome!

Great news! :bounce: :toast:

[Jennicut]

40. And now onto the 9th Circuit! Wonderful news today.

[Chemisse]

41. I am so happy. What a great day this is.

[ruggerson]

43. This thread is just how I imagined a GD-P reaction to the demise of Prop 8 would look like

it's picture perfect.

[Kurovski]

44. K&R

:thumbsup: :D