On Tuesday, a federal appeals court ruled California's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. Now, the battle over the voter-approved law may be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This hot button issue always draws passionate opinions. While the legal process if far from over, Prop. 8 opponents feel victorious.
As President of the Bakersfield College Gay Straight Association, Matt Gunther is feeling pretty good about the decision. "This is a stepping stone for society to accept gays and lesbians and other groups as full members of society."
Gunther was pleased to hear a three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2 to 1 that California's gay marriage ban is unconstitutional. The case could head to the U.S. Supreme Court for the justices to decide.
Gunther says, "This means one day I can get married to somebody that I am in love with, so that's good."
The court says gay marriages cannot resume in California until the deadline passes for Proposition 8 supporters to appeal to a larger panel on the 9th circuit. If such an appeal is filed, gay marriages will remain on hold until it's resolved.
Ken Mettler is the former Chairman of the 2009 'Yes on Proposition 8' campaign. Mettler would like to see traditional marriage upheld. "I hope that there may be some sanity with the 9th circuit and they would, as a body, as the 11, would put an end to this nonsense, however it will probably go the Supreme Court. I have more confidence in the Supreme Court than I have in the 9th circuit."
Mettler adds the majority of Californians made their voices known by approving Prop. 8. Opponents have 60 days to file a petition to the Supreme Court, and the justices can decide to hear the case or leave the issue in the state's hands.
