Court strikes ban on same sex marriage *Updated with link to decision
The California state Supreme Court issued its ruling on gay marriages this morning. Here's the AP story top:
SAN FRANCISCO--The California Supreme Court has overturned a
voter-approved ban on gay marriage, paving the way for the state to become the second
in the United States where gay and lesbian residents can marry.
The justices released the 4-3 decision Thursday, saying that domestic partnerships
are not a good enough substitute for marriage in an opinion written by Chief Justice
Ron George.
Outside the courthouse, gay marriage supporters cried and cheered as news spread of
the decision.
In striking down the ban, the court said, "In contrast to earlier times, our state
now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term
committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise
children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation, and, more
generally, that an individual's sexual orientation -- like a person's race or gender --
does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal
rights."
Here's a pdf of the decision.