Los Angeles, Calif., May 22, 2009 / 14:38 pm
The California Supreme Court has announced that next Tuesday it will issue its ruling on the three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the successful California ballot measure which restored the legal definition of marriage to be a union between a man and a woman.
An announcement on the California Court's web site said the high court will issue its ruling on the cases on Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time.
The ruling will also decide the status of about 18,000 homosexual couples who were “married” last summer.
Proposition 8 was proposed in response to the court’s decision last spring to mandate the recognition of homosexual “marriages.”
On March 5 the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in support of and in opposition to Proposition 8.
Describing the hearings, Frank Schubert, Campaign Manager of the Yes on 8 campaign, told CNA that a “strong majority” of justices were not inclined to overturn the ballot measure.
Andrew Pugno, General Counsel for the pro-Proposition 8 group ProtectMarriage.com, commented on the scheduled decision in a statement.
“The wait is finally over,” he said. “We are looking forward to the Court’s decision, and we’re confident that the right of the people to protect traditional marriage in the state constitution will ultimately prevail.”