Prop 8 declared unconstitutional

A federal appeals panel has rejected Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban in California that was passed in response to the decision to make gay marriage legal in the state in 2008. According to The NY Daily News, the panel ruled 2 to 1 that the proposition is unconstitutional, is a violation of civil rights and serves no real purpose. "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California," Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in his ruling. "Although the constitution permits communities to enact most laws they believe to be desirable, it requires that there be at least a legitimate reason for the passage of a law that treats different classes of people differently. There was no such reason that Proposition 8 could have been enacted." Although the ruling is limited to California, activists and supporters were celebrating in the streets after the ruling was announced. According to The Guardian, campaigners called the ruling monumental and that it could be the first step in equality throughout the United States. The founder and president of Freedom to Marry Evan Wolfson agreed that it was a huge step in breaking down marriage barriers. "Today's powerful court ruling striking down the infamous Prop 8 affirms basic American values and helps tear down a discriminatory barrier to marriage that benefits no one while making it harder for people to take care of their loved ones," Wolfson said. "The ninth circuit rightly held that a state simply may not take a group of people and shove them outside the law, least of all when it comes to something as important as the commitment and security of marriage." Many celebrities took to Twitter to express their support of the decision. Stars of Modern Family Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet posted a picture of themselves holding a sign that read "How could you not want to see us tie the knot?" and Glee heartthrob Cory Monteith tweeted his support, "Prop 8 has been ruled unconstitutional! In other news, the Pacific Ocean was discovered to be wet." Backers of Prop 8 plan to appeal to a larger court and are prepared to take the battle to the supreme court if necessary.