Ruling In Prop. 8 Battle Allows Appeal To Continue
WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBS) — Both sides of California's Proposition 8 debate are pleased with a ruling handed down Thursday by the California Supreme Court.
Prop. 8 has been a hotly debated issue since 2008, when voters passed a ballot initiative and constitutional amendment stating that "only marriage between a man and woman is valid or recognized in the state of California."
After courts ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional in 2010, the group Protect Marriage filed an appeal. Without backing from the state, however, the appeal was stalled.
Thursday's ruling gives the group the right to continue in court as official proponents of the original proposition.
The group issued a statement saying, "Today's decision is a critical step in our three-year battle to uphold marriage between a man and a woman."
The appellate court has heard all arguments in the appeal case, but it is unclear when they will issue a decision. After Thursday's ruling, both sides will now be able to appeal any decision all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Christopher Dusseault is an attorney who represented the plaintiff in the initial constitutional challenge case.
"Ultimately we would love for this case to reach the supreme court," says Dusseault. "We want the supreme court to weigh in on this issue, and to recognize a quality in marriage rights for all Americans throughout the country."
