this is the greatest opportunity i ve seen in civil rights for in generation. your constitutional rights shouldn t have to wait. they really should not have to wait for everybody else it to catch up. the fight for marriage equality in california took a big step forward today. a three-judge panel of the ninth circuit court of appeals ruled 2-1 against proposition 8. the 2008 california ballot measure banning same-sex marriage, proposition 8, was approved with 52% of the vote. the law was first overturned in 2010 by a u.s. district court judge. today s ruling upholds his decision and could send the case to the united states supreme court. the ninth circuit s decision was very blunts. proposition 8 serves no purpose and has no effect other than to lessen the status and human dignities of gays and lesbians in california and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite sex couples.
in california and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite sex couples. the constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort. california governor jerry brown tweeted his support of the ruling today. the court has rerntded a powerful affirmation of the right of same sex couples to maemplt i applaud the wisdom and courage of this decision. same-sex couples will still have to wait to get married. however, the court ruling does not take effect for 14 days and prop 8 supporters vowed to immediately appeal the decision. either to the full ninth circuit kout or directly to the u.s. supreme court. let s turn now to retired lieutenant dan choi, an army combat veteran. he is now on the advisory board of the american foundation for equal rights. also with us tonight msnbc host melissa harris-perry whose new
thanks, president clinton. they announced today they would no longer defend that law, no longer defend the defense of marriage act in court. it keeps same sex couples from having rights that are enjoyed by opposite sex couples. when that law is challenged in court, the justice department will no longer defend it and argue that it is constitutional. this seems like [ inaudible ] joining us by satellite that gets us connected between lawrence and where he is, law professor from university of pennsylvania. mr. wolff, thanks for your time. thank you, rachel, a pleasure.
they announced today they would no longer defend that law, no longer defend the defense of marriage act in court. it keeps same sex couples from having rights that are enjoyed by opposite sex couples. when that law is challenged in court, the justice department will no longer defend it and argue that it is constitutional. this seems like [ inaudible ] joining us by satellite that gets us connected between lawrence and where he is, law professor from university of pennsylvania. mr. wolff, thanks for your time. thank you, rachel, a pleasure. what s the decision by the justice department meaning practically in terms of gay rights?
[ inaudible ] thanks, president clinton. they announced today they would no longer defend that law, no longer defend the defense of marriage act in court. it keeps same sex couples from having rights that are enjoyed by opposite sex couples. when that law is challenged in court, the justice department will no longer defend it and argue that it is constitutional. this seems like [ inaudible ] joining us by satellite that gets us connected between lawrence and where he is, law professor from university of pennsylvania. mr. wolff, thanks for your time. thank you, rachel, a pleasure. what s the decision by the