Arts & Culture
(2009-05-26)
A California activist says her fight for same-sex marriage "is far from over," despite today's court
ruling upholding the state's ban on gay marriage.
Jeannie Rizzo was a lead plaintiff in one of the cases reviewed by the state Supreme Court. The cases argued that the same-sex marriage ban so drastically revises the state constitution that it requires legislative approval.
Today's 6-1 ruling finds that California residents have a right to change their constitution through the ballot box, as they did when they approved Proposition 8 last November.
Outside the courthouse, protesters greeted word of the ruling with chants of "shame on you!"
Still, the court did decide that the estimated 18,000 gay couples who married before the ban took effect can stay wed. One woman calls that a "hollow victory."
Gay-rights activists say they'll try to go back to voters in hopes of repealing the law.
They're planning marches throughout California and in several other states later today.
© Copyright 2012, Associated Press
