Lara, a member of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, celebrates the Court's decision and vows to continue to fight until same-sex marriage is made a reality

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), member of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, today released the following statement in response to the federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decision holding Proposition 8 as unconstitutional.

"Today is a milestone that we will share with our children and grandchildren. It is a victory, not just for same-sex couples wishing to marry, but for anyone who believes in equal rights and justice," stated Assembly Member Ricardo Lara, a member of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus. "While we know that this decision will most likely be appealed, we should celebrate today and recommit ourselves to continuing in this fight until marriage equality is achieved once and for all."

By a 2-1 decision, the federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned Proposition 8 today. The Court ruled that Proposition 8, the California constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2008 that deprived the freedom to marry from same-sex couples, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution. This is the first time in the nation’s history that a federal appeals court has struck down a statewide ban on marriage for same-sex couples. In the decision, the Court stated that "Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California". The appeals court said same-sex marriages cannot resume in the state until the deadline passes for Proposition 8 sponsors to appeal to a larger panel of the 9th Circuit. If such an appeal is filed, same-sex marriages will remain on hold until it's resolved.