"California Here We Come"

It's an unforgettable day for same-sex couples and advocates of fairness and opportunity across the nation! The California Supreme Court has ruled that the state may no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage.

"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." Chief Justice Ron George wrote for the court's majority.

While this is a victory step, now attention must be given to make sure that discrimination is not written into the state constitution in California through a ballot initiative.

On a hopeful note, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement immediately after the opinion was issued saying he would uphold the ruling. "Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling," he added.