The much awaited decision has been finally taken, and there is bad news. The California Supreme Court has decided that Proposition 8 will stand. There is, however, some solace in that those gay couples who have already got married can stay married. According to official sources, the California Supreme Court upheld the “state’s gay-marriage ban Tuesday but said the estimated 18,000 same-sex weddings that took place before the prohibition passed are still valid.”

The ruling comes as a great blow to the modern world where an estimated number of one million people will be affected by the ruling. The gay rights activists are not at all happy with this ruling and said that it was a hollow victory for them. The demonstrators who were waiting outside the court to get first hand knowledge of the ruling wept, booed and yelled, “Shame on you,” when they got to know of the hearing. Along with this there were about 80 protesters outside the Los Angeles County clerk’s office and they carried signs that read, “Repeal Prop 8 in 2010.”

On the other hand, Andrew P. Pugno, a lawyer from the leading group initiative, ProtectMarriage.com, said “We are extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has acknowledged the right of voters to define marriage in the California Constitution…The voters have decided this issue and their views should be respected.” The mayor of San Deido, Jerry Sanders has publicly criticized the courts decision and bitterly commented, “Some Californians have the right to take away certain rights from others.” Sanders went on to say that it is “obvious that neither justice nor equality were on the court’s agenda today.”