"My reaction is I'm astounded and I believe the decision is absolutely ludicrous. To conclude the state has no rational purpose to preserve marriage to one man and one woman is nonsense. I don't think marriage should be left to the stroke of a pen by a single judge. Marriage as one man and one woman has formed the basis of our society for millennia."

– Mathew Staver, president and general counsel of Liberty Counsel, which represented the Campaign for California Families.
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"We will not be appealing this decision."

– A jovial Mayor Gavin Newsom, flanked by several same-sex couples and their supporters at City Hall shortly after the ruling was announced.
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"Today's ruling is an important step toward a more fair and just California, that rejects discrimination and affirms family values for all California families."

– San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera.
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"It's a foregone conclusion that it's going to go up on appeal."

– Therese Stewart, attorney for city and county of San Francisco.
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"With plain but compelling logic, the judge has shown us all why – in a nation committed to fairness – gays and lesbians must not be shut out of marriage ... Our constitution promises liberty to all; this decision takes us closer to that promise."

– Christine Sun, attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union.
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"The practical effect is the disregard of close to two-thirds of the people of California who used the initiative process to ensure that marriage would remain between one man and one woman."

– Robert Tyler, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, reacting to the judge nullifying the voter-approved Proposition 22, which prevented California from recognizing same-sex marriages.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 3:12 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.