Right to Marry Upheld as Federal Court Overturns Prop 8 Gay Marriage Ban

Today's decision by a US federal judge in California upheld the fundamental right to marry by overturning California's Prop 8 ballot initiative which banned gay marriage. The judge stayed his decision in anticipation of the pending appeal. The case likely will end up before the US Supreme Court.

The lawyers for the plaintiffs were an odd couple, one from the conservative ranks and one from the liberal ranks, who were opposing counsel in Bush v Gore, the 2000 Florida election case. They laid the framework of the case with factual evidence with an eye toward an appeal to the Supreme Court. They knew what they were doing and the result shows it.

This is a good step forward for marriage equality and for the fundamental equality of all American citizens. This decision is to be applauded.