California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban

[Sylvus]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me ... 2317.story

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court ruled today that same-sex couples should be permitted to marry, rejecting state marriage laws as discriminatory.

The state high court's 4-3 ruling was unlikely to end the debate over gay matrimony in California. A group has circulated petitions for a November ballot initiative that would amend the state Constitution to block same-sex marriage, while the Legislature has twice passed bills to authorize gay marriage.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed both.

The long-awaited court decision stemmed from San Francisco's highly publicized same-sex weddings, which in 2004 helped spur a conservative backlash in a presidential election year and a national dialogue over gay rights.

Several states have since passed constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Today, 27 states have such amendments.

Today’s ruling by the Republican-dominated court affects more than 100,000 same-sex couples in the state, about a quarter of whom have children, according to U.S. census figures. It came after high courts in New York, Washington and New Jersey refused to extend marriage rights to gay couples. Before today, only Massachusetts' top court has ruled in favor of permitting gays to wed.

Paul Drugan, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, said the county was not immediately granting same-sex marriage licenses, noting that the court's decision would take effect in 30 days.

"Our office is awaiting a legal analysis of the court's decision and a timeline of implementation," Drugan said. He said he was unaware of anyone coming into the Registrar-Recorder's office so far today seeking a same-sex marriage application.

The reaction to today's ruling outside the courthouse in San Francisco was one of jubilation as couples, once denied marriage, hugged, kissed, shouted and shook their fists at the sky. Holding up a sign that says, "Life feels different when you're married," Ellen Pontac said she was beyond words.

Good for them.

[Acies]

Proud to be a Californian today

[Spang]

Homos in California can be miserable now too?

[Noysyrump]

I can now legally take half some rich guys money! Yay!

[Markulas]

This is totally thuper news!!

[Ashur]

Homos in California can be miserable now too?

[Kilmoll the Sexy]

gay

[Spang]

Only if their balls touch.