Federal judge Chief Vaughn Walker in San Francisco has ruled California voters' ban on same-sex marriage is invalid, according to Variety managing editor Ted Johnson and a smattering of Twitter posts from media. No one is quoting the actual ruling yet. Attorney General Jerry Brown says via Twitter: "It sounds like Prop 8 has been overturned. Waiting for the official word."
* Brown updates at 1:49 p.m.: "It's official! Great News for California! California gay marriage ban overturned!"
Noted: Judge stays the order so that the Prop. 8 side can appeal. No same-sex marriages expected during the stay.
Here's a PDF of the ruling plus selected quotes:
"Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license."
"California's obligation is to treat its citizens equally."
"The evidence at trial regarding the campaign to pass Proposition 8 uncloaks the most likely explanation for its passage: a desire to advance the belief that opposite-sex couples are morally superior to same-sex couples. The campaign relied heavily on negative stereotypes about gays and lesbians and focused on protecting children from inchoate threats vaguely associated with gays and lesbians."
"Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians. The evidence shows conclusively that Proposition 8 enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples."
"Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional."
More Twitter reaction:
@GavinNewsom: The federal court has struck down Prop 8! A major victory for equal rights & for thousands of committed couples, families & friends in CA.
@Villaraigosa: Californians knows that marriage is a civil right, not a privilege. Love does not discriminate.
Also: State GOP chairman Ron Nehring says, "The California Republican Party is firm in its support of traditional marriage and looks forward to the matter being resolved in a higher court."
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