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• On May 26, 2009, the California Supreme Court upheld the state's ban on gay marriage. The decision upholds California's Proposition 8, which changed the state's constitution to ban legalized same-sex marriages. The state's high court did rule that the nearly 18,000 gay couples who married prior to Prop 8's passage would be recognized as legal.Los Angeles Times: Prop. 8 upheld by California Supreme Court (May 26, 2009)

  The Prop 8 ballot initiative was originally approved by a majority of California voters on November 4, 2008.ABC: Obama Surge Confounds Gay Marriage (October 28, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. First gay marriage in San Francisco: Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin on June 16, 2008Christian Science Monitor: Gay marriage: a new bind for church groups (June 17, 2008)
  2. First gay marriage in Los Angeles: Robin Tyler, 66, and Diane Olson, 54Los Angeles Times: First of California's same-sex marriage licenses issued (June 16, 2008)
  3. May 26, 2009: California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8
  4. November 2008: 52% of California voters approve Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriages
  5. 2008: California's supreme court ruled that constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marryPew Forum: Gay Marriage Timeline
  6. 2005: California legislature passed same-sex marriage bill, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed itPew Forum: Gay Marriage Timeline
  7. 2004: San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom authorized same-sex marriages until ordered to stop, about 2 monthsPew Forum: Gay Marriage Timeline
  8. 2000: California voters approved the ban, arguing marriage is between a man and a woman
  9. 1977: California's ban on same-sex marriage law enactedPew Forum: Gay Marriage Timeline
  10. Gay marriage recognized in Massachusetts since 2004, the first state in the US to do soPew Forum: Gay Marriage Timeline
  11. The Netherlands legalized gay marriage in 2001CBS News: Gay Marriage Goes Dutch (April 1, 2001)
  12. Gay/lesbian couples believe marriage is unique expression of love - they should be able to enter into itThe Christian Science Monitor: Gay marriage: a new bind for church groups (June 17, 2008)
  13. Critics say marriage is a unique institution and gay marriage would undermine itThe Christian Science Monitor: Gay marriage: a new bind for church groups (June 17, 2008)

• Background

  In a 4-3 ruling, the California Supreme Court overturned the state's same-sex marriage ban on May 15, 2008. The high court said the "right to form a family relationship" applied to all Californians, regardless of sexuality.The New York Times: California Court Affirms Right to Gay Marriage (May 15, 2008)

  The ruling came after the court heard a case in March of 2008, asking whether gay people had a constitutional right to get married.The New York Times: California Court Affirms Right to Gay Marriage (May 15, 2008)

  Prior to the May ruling, gay marriage was banned in California but a domestic partnership law gave gay and lesbian couples almost the same legal rights as people in heterosexual marriages.The New York Times: California Court Affirms Right to Gay Marriage (May 15, 2008)

• The May 2008 Ruling

  "In view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship. 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."— Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of the California Supreme CourtThe New York Times: California Court Affirms Right to Gay Marriage (May 15, 2008)

• Ballot Amendment

  After collecting over one million signatures, a ballot amendment was approved for the general election on November 4, 2008. Added to the ballot was the proposal for an amendment to the state constitution, Proposition 8, effectively banning same-sex marriages and defining marriage as between one man and one woman.SF Gate: Initiative to ban gay marriage is on ballot (June 2, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  How to Do Same Sex Marriage in California | Phyllis Lyon Del Martin | Gay Marriage | Brad Pitt Gay Marriage | Apple Proposition 8 | Proposition 8 California | Magic Johnson Gay Marriage | Prop 8 The Musical

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