Gay marriage disallowed in California

Ireland News.Net
Tuesday 26th May, 2009

California's Supreme Court has upheld a voter-approved constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

The court ruled six-to-one on maintaining the ban but also ruled that about 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place before the prohibition are still valid.

The court's ruling came after a lawsuit which sought to overturn the state constitutional amendment known as Proposition 8, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Last May, the state's high court ruled that same-sex marriage was protected under the constitution.

That ruling created anger among more conservative sections of the community, who then gathered signatures to hold a November referendum to ban same-sex marriage.

California voters narrowly approved the referendum which was known as Proposition 8.

Same-sex marriage supporters, on hearing the ruling of the Supreme Court, have vowed to present the issue to the voters again, and will argue the majority should not invalidate the rights of a minority.

Gay, marriage, california

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