WASHINGTON (CNN) - In a much-anticipated ruling issued Thursday, the California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional.
Several gay and lesbian couples, along with the city of San Francisco and gay rights groups, sued to overturn state laws allowing only marriages between a man and a woman.
"There can be no doubt that extending the designation of marriage to same-sex couples, rather than denying it to all couples, is the equal protection remedy that is most consistent with our state's general legislative policy and preference," said the 120-page ruling.
Election Center: Find out where the candidates stand on same-sex marriage
From CNN Politics
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Why not? Why should straight couples keep all the misery to themselves.
it's about time, I am not gay but ( i SAY LIVE AND LET LIVE). i SUPPORT THE GAY COMMUNITIES
I guess Bush and McCain can join hands after all.......
We all have a right to love who we want. Thank you Cali Supreme Court for doing the right thing. I wish the nation would learn a thing or two about protecting it's citizens rights. EVERY single person in a relationship with another, regardless of sex, should be protected!
Its about time. Canada allowed gay marriage a couple years ago and everything is going along fine there. No big changes, it didn't threaten marriage as an institution.
LOVE TRUMPS BIGOTRY!
California is ahead of the game as usual.
Why does this minority group have so much influence? Follow the money. Why do people choose to push their lifestyles on every one. Why should my children see two men and two women. This is not normal behavior. What if a man wants to marry his sister, we must to make this odd couple happy? A man wants to wed a little girl that he says loves him and he loves her, should we allow them to wed too? What is this country coming to?
finally. this is no different than womens right to vote, or equality of african americans. the religions views of a group of people should not be legally enforced on the whole population.
As a lesbian in California, I am so happy that justice and equality rule the day. I have been with my partner for 16 years and we look forward to getting married.
Oh that's just great. Here we go again with a fresh round of divisive wedge issues to distract us.
Just a matter of time before the GOP launches fresh attack ads accusing the Democrats of promoting or even encouraging Gay marriage. Or worse scaring voters into thinking that liberals advocate gay lifestyle.
Good for you California! Gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights and protection under the law as heterosexual couples do.
You gooooo Joe!! It is about time more people with some clout started saying what most of the country-world think and feel! Bush should have been impeached a long time ago! He has been a war mongrel since he took office.I don't know how he sleeps at night. He has made such a mess of things, it will take years to fix! He actually acts as if he is not ashamed of the legacy he will leave, going down as the WORST president in all of history! Wonder what his grandchildren will think and all his generations from here on when they read about him in the history books! I can't wait till he goes and hides in his hole in Texas.
This is GREAT news! A big step towards equality for all humans, regardless of sexual preference!
Good for us here in California, now our brother and sister homosexulas can have the same rights as the rest of us.
Mistake, Mistake, Mistake. No same sex marriage. It's so wrong!
Well, California watch out the wrath of God will come down on you !
You have kicked him out of your schools and now you approve gay marriage. Wonder how much of the state will burn this summer ?
That's about time!
Hooray California!
Major step forth in civil rights legislation.
good job, california! love is love, and this is another excellent sign that america will soon be back on track to becoming what the vast majority of us want--a smart, THINKING, progressive, and well-respected world leader!!!
Seriously-don't we have much bigger problems in this country??? Let 'em get married. How on earth will that affect YOU? It won't.
Congratulations!!!
This is a step forwards for human rights and tolerance. AWESOME!!!!
Now the country is bookended by states that got it right...one day the rest of the country will join the 21st Century.
I fully support the ruling. I am sure there will be the flood of posts with the usual religious nut job critics.
Wow.
My partner and I adopted four kids from the foster care system. We have been a family for over 10 years. It was a bitter sweet day many years ago when we had to leave the country in order to get legally married in Canada.
It's good when the law catches up to reality.
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!!
Its About time! Regardless of your viewpoint – equality is equality, period.
This is American, Land of the FREE