General

Appeals court ruling temporarily blocks same-sex marriages in California

Supporters, opponents of Proposition 8 prepared to make arguments in court

An appeals court ruling temporarily blocking same-sex marriages from resuming in California evoked strong responses from opponents and supporters of the state’s controversial 2008 referendum on the issue. On Monday, the appeals court set a fast schedule to hear the merits of the constitutional challenge to Proposition 8, the 2008 initiative defining marriage as only between one man and one woman. Oral arguments will now be held the week of December 6, meaning a decision on whether same-sex couples can legally wed likely won’t come until sometime next year. Opponents of Proposition 8 expressed their disappointment at the ruling, but vowed to continue their fight. Opponents could ask the Supreme Court to intervene on the narrow question of whether to allow the stay to be lifted, but both sides of the debate agree the odds of the justices getting involved at this stage are very slim. Advocates for both sides of the issue say they’re prepared to make their arguments in court when the time comes.

CNN

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