California Supreme Court Upholds Prop. 8; More Battles Ahead

San Francisco, CA – By a 6-1 vote, the California Supreme Court today upheld Proposition 8, the voter-approved measure that rejected the court’s declaration last summer that gay marriage was required by the state’s constitution. The court also held, though, that the estimated 18,000 same-sex marriages performed between last June and November will continue to be valid.

Attorney Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “Today’s decision is a victory for democracy and a victory for the civil rights of clergy, county clerks and Californians across the political spectrum who did not want to be forced by the government to approve of same-sex marriage.” Pacific Justice Institute filed several briefs with the California Supreme Court in support of Proposition 8.

Dacus added that the battle for traditional marriage is just beginning, stating, “The bully tactics and intimidation used by the gay-rights lobby during the Prop. 8 campaign showed us that they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. As we relish today’s victory, there are already efforts underway to place other initiatives on the ballot to repeal Prop. 8. We must remain vigilant in order to preserve constitutional common sense.”

PJI attorneys caution that it may take more litigation over several years to determine the extent to which private inpiduals, businesses and churches must recognize same-sex “marriages” entered into before Prop. 8 was adopted.