Schwarzenegger, Villaraigosa cheer judge's rejection of Prop. 8

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised a San Francisco's judge decision throwing out California's ban on same-sex marriage, saying it "affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves."

"He heard in-depth arguments from both sides on fundamental questions of due process, equal protection and freedom from discrimination. There are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and I am glad that all viewpoints were respected throughout the proceedings," he said. "We should also recognize that there will continue to be different points of view in the wake of this decision."

The governor added that the decision "provides an opportunity for all Californians to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity."

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also praised the ruling: "Because a judge had the courage to stand up for the constitution of the United States, prop 8 has been overturned!" he wrote on Twitter.

-- Rong-Gong Lin II

Comments

[rickn6900]

Too bad Arnold couldn't have provided this level of support prior to the vote.

[Truth]

What a heinous double standard taking place - vehement defense of the Constitution when applied to gay marriage but complete passivity when the issue becomes health care or any other measures that are blatant violations of our Constitution.

[Heisenberg]

A good day for civil rights.

[Heisenberg]

A good day for civil rights.

[BennyEffy]

"The ruling puts Walker at the forefront of the gay marriage debate and marks the latest in a long line of high-profile legal decisions for the longtime federal judge. He was appointed by Ronald Reagan, but his nomination was held up for two years in part because of opposition from gay rights activists.
As a lawyer, he helped the U.S. Olympic Committee sue a gay ex-Olympian who had created an athletic competition called the Gay Olympics. Walker is a Republican. He said he joined the party while at Stanford University during the Vietnam War protests, and spent two years clerking for a judge appointed by Richard Nixon"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100804/ap_on_re_us/us_gay_marriage_trial

Hmmm... That's kinda interesting....

(I'm so excited, I almost started crying! This is an awesome day for the Homosexual community! Congratulations guys and gals!)