Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
Aug 5, (THAINDIAN NEWS) It would not be restricted to only loving each other, gays and lesbian couples can now enjoy marriage license as any other opposite sex couples in California. The same-sex marriage right activists cheered on Wednesday as California federal judge Vaughn Walker overturned Proposition 8 that banned same sex marriage in California. The judge went for a written statement mentioning his opinion over the matter and held that Proposition 8 served no other purpose than restricting California from fulfilling its constitutional duties. The decision of Judge Vaughn Walker was welcomed by the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger who described it as a “milestone” on the road to equality and freedom for all people of United States.

In his statement, Judge Vaughn Walker maintained that the November 2008 referendum was “discriminatory” and violated the Constitution of United States that promises to provide freedom to each and every citizen. He held that Proposition 8, which was passed by a 52 percent majority just six months after California’s Supreme Court overturned a previous ban, sets opposite-sex marriage at a position higher than the same-sex marriage. He added that Proposition 8 could not manage to “advance any rational basis” on which it could be held good in denying marriage license to gay and lesbian couples. Vaughan Walker opined that since California has no interest in “discriminating against gay men and lesbians,” the referendum only acts as a hindrance and the court “concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.”

However, the opponents of the same-sex marriages are also not keeping quiet and they have already hinted that they will appeal against the decision of the federal judge. A temporary stay order on the ruling issued by Vaughn Walker later on the day will allow opponents of same-sex marriage to file further appeal.