SAN FRANCISCO (BP)--A federal judge Wednesday handed down a landmark decision that could impact religious freedom and lead to the reversal of traditional marriage laws in every state, striking down California's voter-approved constitutional amendment that banned "gay marriage" and ruling it violates the U.S. Constitution's equal protection and due process clauses.
"If the Supreme Court fails to uphold the will of the people of California, then the only alternative left to us ... is to pass a (federal) constitutional amendment."
-- Richard Land | It is the first ruling of its kind and is certain to be appealed to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, typically viewed as one of the nation's most liberal courts. From there, the Supreme Court would be the next stop.
If the nation's highest court upholds the decision it likely would result in the reversal of constitutional amendments and statutes in 45 states defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Only five states and the District of Columbia currently recognize "marriage" between homosexuals.
Already, some are warning the decision, if upheld, could become the Roe v. Wade of "gay marriage."
The much-anticipated ruling by Judge Vaughn Walker was not a surprise -- conservatives had been pessimistic for months following his trial rulings -- but nonetheless was a monumental victory for homosexual activists who are trying to legalize "gay marriage" from coast to coast. The decision overturned what is known as Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that passed by a margin of 52-48 percent in 2008 and defined marriage as between one man and one woman. Prop 8 reversed a ruling by the state's highest court legalizing "gay marriage." Read More
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