A Historic Decision
History will look back at August 4, 2010 as a landmark date in the fight to realize America’s promise of equality. For the first time, a federal court ruled that the Constitution of the United States guarantees all Americans all of the same rights—including the freedom to marry.
Chief Judge Vaughn Walker’s sweeping, 136-page ruling eviscerated the Proponents’ case. His decision unequivocally declared that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, that it is discriminatory, and that it serves no purpose other than to create second-class citizenship for gay and lesbian Americans.
“Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.”
—U.S. District Court
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