Gay couple Ellen Pontac (L) and Shelly Bailes kissed each other after the California Supreme Court ruled to lift the same sex marriage ban. (Photo: Jim Wilson/NYT)
California gay marriage is now constitutional, the California Supreme Court ruled in a 4-to-3 decision to overturn the same sex marriage ban in the state on Thursday, May 15.
“In view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship,” Chief Justice Ronald M. George wrote of marriage for the majority, “the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples.”
The decision becomes effective in 30 days. California will be the only second State after Massachusetts to allow gay marriages!
Really can't feel any happier for those California same-sex couples, who will soon have a constitutional right to marry. Source: NYT