Supporters of Proposition 8 have
criticized Tuesday's ruling declaring the gay marriage ban
unconstitutional.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
handed down its long-awaited decision to the cheers of gay marriage
supporters.
(Related: Court
says gay marriage ban Prop 8 violates 14th amendment.)
“This is a huge win for freedom to
marry supporters in California and continues the growing momentum for
the freedom to marry nationwide,” Evan Wolfson, founder and
president of Freedom to Marry, said in a statement.
“Proposition 8 divided California
into marriage haves and have nots,” said Stuart Gaffney, media
director for Marriage Equality USA. “Today, the court has
reaffirmed what we already know in our hearts – our United States
Constitution prohibits taking away the fundamental right to marry
from one particular group. Everyone deserves the freedom to marry
the one you love.”
Supporters of the ban vowed to defend
Proposition 8.
“This is a stunning assault on
democracy and California's initiative process,” said Karen England,
executive director of Capitol Resources Group, a group which
supported passage of Proposition 8. “Well over 50% of California
voters approved Proposition 8; today their will was overturned by a
panel of arrogant judges who want to impose their political agenda on
the rest of us.”
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst at
the Christian conservative group Focus on the Family, called the
ruling a “disappointment.”
“[B]ut it was not entirely
unexpected, given the record of the 9th Circuit.”
“Opponents of Prop 8 insist on
changing the definition of marriage for everyone, including children
who deserve the opportunity to grow up in a home with their own
married mother and father,” Hausknecht said. “But no judge has
the right to redefine marriage. … This latest tinkering with
marriage to remove mothers and fathers as an essential element of
family poses serious ramifications for future generations.”