9th Circuit District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled today that the voter initiative Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage in California violated the Constitution’s equal protection and due process rights clauses.
This is a huge victory for gay rights. The decision will likely be appealed to the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court and after that the Supreme Court.
Liberal human rights advocates will be celebrating. Conservative religious bigots will be fuming. Middle America will be fine with the decision as long as it doesn’t interrupt their favorite TV programming.
Judge Vaughn Walker is a gay man and was appointed by Republican President George H. W. Bush.
U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker will issue a decision Wednesday August 4, 2010, on the constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage.
Walker’s written order will be released electronically Wednesday between 1 and 3 p.m. and will be posted on the federal court website www.cand.uscourts.gov
Sacramento Pride 2010, June 19. The Parade kicked off with the roar of motorcycles and lasted nearly an hour. The Festival was held at the Capitol Mall for the first time, a brilliant move. This downtown location with the surrounding high rise buildings and the State Capitol is a powerful location to show pride.
