Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decided to uphold a temporary stay on Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in California. The Appeals Court denied a motion filed by the American Foundation for Equal Rights to set aside a stay on a Federal District Court decision until the 9th Circuit Court appeals process is completed.
In August 2010, Federal District Judge Vaughn Walker overturned a 6 to 1 ruling by the California Supreme Court in May 2009 that upheld the measure. In 2008, Proposition 8 was passed by voters in an electoral referendum.
Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, stated, “Today’s ruling is a major setback for same-sex couples and their families who must continue living every day in legal limbo without the basic freedoms and protections guaranteed to them by our nation’s Constitution. Every day same-sex couples are denied the freedom to marry, their families suffer significant harm. We cannot stand idle as the courts continue to deny our basic humanity. We must demand our equality and speak out against this injustice.”
