A federal judge has struck down California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage, declaring it unconstitutional. The ruling, based on the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause, found no rational basis for discriminating against same-sex couples. This decision is a significant advancement for civil rights, although it is expected to be appealed and may eventually reach the Supreme Court. The case raises important legal questions regarding state rights and federal intervention in marriage laws.
PREREQUISITESLegal scholars, civil rights activists, policymakers, and anyone interested in the evolution of marriage laws and equality in the United States.