by Jason Stotts
In a wonderful turn of events, a federal judge has ruled that Prop 8 is unconstitutional.
In the majority opinion, Circuit Judges Stephen Reinhardt and Michael Daly Hawkins noted that they were speaking only to Proposition 8, and that other states would have to decide the issue of marriage themselves.
“For now, it suffices to conclude that the people of California may not, consistent with the federal Constitution, add to their state constitution a provision that has no more practical effect than to strip gays and lesbians of the right to use the official designation that the state and society give to committed relationships, thereby adversely affecting the status and dignity of the members of a disfavored class,” the opinion states. (via CNN)
I’ll have more to say about whether it’s ever appropriate for a people to vote away others rights (it isn’t) in the future, but for now this is great news. Of course, the christians will challenge the ruling and this case will likely end up in the Supreme Court.