Federal Court Finds Prop. 8 Unconstitutional

The Federal District Court of the Northern District of California ruled that Proposition 8, a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage in California, was unconstitutional. California voters passed Proposition 8 by 52% of votes in November 2008.

The court ruled 2 to 1 that Proposition 8 discriminates against gay men and lesbian women in violation of the 14^th Amendment. The three-judge panel avoided an strict affirmation that gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry. 

This decision makes it extremely likely that the United States Supreme Court will hear the case.

See Adam Nagourney, Court Strikes Down Ban on Gay Marriage in California, The New York Times, Feb. 7, 2012.