Court Upholds Ban On Gay Marriage

The California voters have spoken and the state’s Supreme Court has upheld the voter approved ban that defines marriage as a union between a man and a women.

The decision made by the California Supreme Court was handed down Tuesday morning and confirmed the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages.

“It feels like someone has ripped the rug out from under you,” said Johnny Anderson a local resident and a “no on prop 8” activist. “I’m not married and I didn’t get married but it’s the fact that their taking the option away from you.”

Although the decision was upheld, the estimated 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who were married before the ban took effect last year can remain married.

The 6-1 decision was written by Chief Justice Ron George and added a new section, 7.5, to Article 1 of the California State Construction and states that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

“It’s right for the health and wellbeing of society as a whole,” said Rick Patterson counselor for the Valencia Stake Presidency for the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. “We [the church] are appreciative and grateful for the order of the courts and for the system of laws we have that enabled the people to make these decisions.”

In 2008 the court ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny same sex couples the right to marry because it was in violation of the equal rights clause of the constitution.

In May 2008 Opponents of same-sex marriage submitted signatures to place proposition 8 on the November ballot where it passed in Los Angeles County 50.1 percent yes to 49.1 percent no.

“This is an issue that we just won’t lie down and take, this fight won’t end until equality is reached,” said Anderson.