This editorial appeared in The Fresno Bee.
The California Supreme Court's decision to uphold a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage is just one more step in a lengthy battle that will now move back into the political arena. The court held in a 6-1 decision that California voters have the right to amend the state constitution, which they did in November with Proposition 8.
But in upholding the measure against gay marriage, the court also had to determine the status of 18,000 gay couples who married before Proposition 8 took effect. The court confirmed those marriages, further complicating the issue.
In a state that has banned same-sex marriage, 18,000 gay couples are legally married.
We opposed Proposition 8, and believe that gay couples should have the right to marry. But we also think the Supreme Court applied the law correctly in this decision, and justices had no choice but to uphold the right of voters to limit the definition of marriage to a union between one man and one woman.
This is the same court that initially legalized gay marriage, prompting Proposition 8 to be put before the voters by those opposed to such marriages.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Fresno Bee.