| Feb. 8th, 2012

California Judge Finds Proposition 8 Unconstitutional

By Exception Staff | August 04, 2010

U.S. judge Vaughn Walker has ruled that Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California, is unconstitutional.

Walker argued that "Plaintiffs have demonstrated by overwhelming evidence that Proposition 8 violates their due process and equal protection rights and that they will continue to suffer these constitutional violations until state officials cease enforcement of Proposition 8."

Celebrities and other gay advocates have taken to Twitter to express their joy, according to E!:

• Paris Hilton: "What a huge historical day for equal rights in this country! They finally overturned Prop 8! There shouldn't be a law on true love. :)"
• Christina Applegate: "I am crying with absolute joy! Thank you thank you thank you for letting equality win. All men are created equal! Period!!!"
• Kal Penn: "Prop 8 ruled unconstitutional! Finally,pedophiles can marry their dogs. Just kidding. Props to CA for standing up for family values for all!"
• Ricky Martin: "YEAHHHHH!!!!! #PROP8UNCONSTITUTIONAL MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!! RT please."
• Elizabeth Banks: "Go Judge Walker. I can't wait to go to some seriously awesome weddings."
• Samantha Ronson: "Song Of The Day: Let's Get Married- Jagged Edge."
• Olivia Munn: "Prop 8 Overturned!!! Equal rights for everyone! Nice to be out of the 1950s..."
• Seth Myers: "Prop 8 was always my least favorite Prop. Favorite Prop: Joe."
• Kristin Chenoweth: "Prop 8 overturned in California! Praise God!"

However, Mormons, who had supported Prop 8, expressed disappointment that the courts overruled the will of the majority:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regrets today's decision. California voters have twice been given the opportunity to vote on the definition of marriage in their state and both times have determined that marriage should be recognized as only between a man and a woman. We agree. Marriage between a man and woman is the bedrock of society.

We recognize that this decision represents only the opening of a vigorous debate in the courts over the rights of the people to define and protect this most fundamental institution -- marriage. There is no doubt that today's ruling will add to the marriage debate in this country and we urge people on all sides of this issue to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different opinion.

The Catholic Church also posted its position:

The historical record leaves no doubt ... that the central purpose of marriage in virtually all societies and at all times has been to channel potentially procreative sexual relationships into enduring stable unions to increase the likelihood that any offspring will be raised by the man and woman who brought them into the world.

That the judge should find the marriage -- civilizations' longstanding public policy -- irrational and discriminatory does a great injustice to the institution itself and ultimately will further encourage the disintegration of mother-father families.

Homosexuals certainly have every right to the love, companionship and support of another person -- but the courts do not have a right to distort the meaning of marriage.