Not satisfied with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals February ruling that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional, marriage equality opponents sought an en banc review with a larger panel.
On Tuesday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it will not rehear the case, ensuring that three-panel decision that Prop 8 is unconstitutional stays … for the time being.
“Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California,” the court said in its February ruling.
Prop 8 supporters have vowed to take it to the next step, appealing it to the U.S. Supreme Court. They have 90 days to request an intervention from the higher power, and, in the meantime, a stay on same-sex marriages in California will remain until the issue is exhausted.
The original ruling upheld the decision by retired Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who struck down the ballot measure in 2010 after holding an unprecedented trial on the nature of sexual orientation and the history of marriage. His ruling was overturned after he failed to disclose that he was in a long term same-sex relationship, prior to the trial.
Photo: techbanyan.com
