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Gay News: Despite Proposition 8 being ruled "unconstitutional", gay couples still can't get married in California.
By: Nigel Robinson
Gay couples must wait till 18 August
Gay couples must wait till 18 August
Gay marriage on hold for another week
Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in California was ruled as unconstitutional on 4 August by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who said that “Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians.”
The ruling was welcomed by state governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
However, the lifting of the ban on gay marriage ceremonies has been postponed until 5pm on 18 August, to allow opponents to take their case to the US appeal court.
Depending on how the court rules, gay marriage ceremonies could be held from that point, or be put on indefinite hold.
Lawyer Charles J Cooper, speaking for the supporters of Proposition 8, confirmed that they intended to appeal and said:
“On appeal we look forward with confidence to a decision vindicating the democratic process and the basic constitutional authority of the seven million Californians who voted to retain the traditional definition of marriage.”
Proposition 8 was passed by a majority of 52% to 48% in 2008.
Currently the only states in the USA which alllow gay marriage are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts,, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington DC.
