USA: Gay residents of California celebrate a court's decision to overturn Proposition 8, citing that the state cannot ban gay marriage

Record ID: 277654

  • Title: USA: Gay residents of California celebrate a court's decision to overturn Proposition 8, citing that the state cannot ban gay marriage
  • Date: 8th February 2012
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 07, 2012) (REUTERS) PLAINTIFFS AND ATTORNEYS IN CASE CHALLENGING PROPOSITION 8 WALKING TO PODIUM KRIS PERRY AND SANDY STIER, PLAINTIFFS IN CASE CHALLENGING PROPOSITION 8 (SOUNDBITE) (English) TED OLSON, ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS, SAYING: "Today, we are more American because of this decision. This is an important step, we are
  • Embargoed: 23rd February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Legal System,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA6ECATB0I8OEYZ392JIBRN01NK
  • Story Text: A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday (February 07) found California's gay marriage ban unconstitutional in a case that is likely to lead to a showdown on the issue in the U.S. Supreme Court.
    The 2-1 decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals featured two judges appointed by Democrats ruling against the ban, while a Republican-appointed judge dissented.
    California joined the vast majority of U.S. states in outlawing same-sex marriage in 2008, when voters passed the ban known as Proposition 8.
    "Today, we are more American because of this decision. This is an important step, we are not at the end of the line yet, but I cannot overstate the importance of the decision today," said Ted Olson, the attorney for the plaintiffs in case against Proposition 8.
    Olson joined his clients, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, at a news conference in Los Angeles, where each reacted to the courts decision.
    "We can see a place where freedom and respect come more easily and where protection from harm is what our government does for us and not to us," said Perry.
    Stier continued, "Today our court sends a powerful message to us and our children and our children's children, and that is: we are all equal, we all deserve the same rights, and we all matter."
    The 9th Circuit's rules allow at least two weeks before a ruling takes effect, so same sex marriages cannot immediately resume in California. Prop 8 proponents previously made clear that they will appeal, which would almost certainly keep gay marriage on hold pending future proceedings.
    In West Hollywood, a gay bastion in the Los Angeles area, residents gathered to hear the mayor announce the court's decision.
    "I think...that we will very soon be back in the business of marrying couples here in the great state of California," said West Hollywood mayor John Duran to applause.
    Six states - New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa - allow gay marriage, as does Washington, D.C. In addition, New Jersey and Washington state are considering legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, and gay rights activists in Maine say they plan to bring the issue to voters in a referendum in that state.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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