On Tuesday, a federal appeals court ruled that California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional.
California approved Prop. 8 in 2008. San Diego’s four major mayoral candidates all spoke in favor of Tuesday’s ruling.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is a longtime supporter of gay marriage and the first openly gay District Attorney in the U.S. In response to Tuesday’s ruling, she released a statement celebrating the decision. She said the decision would bring the state closer to marriage equality.
"For those of us who were speaking out against Prop 8 when it was on the ballot four years ago, today's ruling is a long-awaited legal affirmation upholding the constitutional rights of the LGBT community," Dumanis stated.
In 2008, Dumanis and her wife Denise joined other city leaders to oppose Prop 8 before Election Day.
"Prop. 8 would take away the right Denise and I waited so long to have," she said in 2008 at the event. She and Denise were married in September of that year.
Carl DeMaio, an openly gay councilmember, also applauded Tuesday’s ruling. In a 2007 interview, he told San Diego Magazine that although coming out was uncomfortable for him, he believes his personal life will be a non-issue as he pursues his political agenda.
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"The courts have ruled in favor of marriage equality. This is a good day for the gay and lesbian community," DeMaio stated Tuesday.
Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher simply stated, "I support marriage equality and any movement towards that goal," after the ruling was announced.
Congressman Bob Filner, the only Democrat of the four major mayoral candidates, stated that although he’s pleased with Tuesday’s decision, there are still obstacles ahead.
“The fight is not over,” he said in a statement. “With future court cases looming, we must continue to press to see that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters are finally treated as equals in the eyes of the law.”
He continued, "My friends, I promise you, we will reach the mountaintop. Marriage equality will come to this country. As a Congressman, or Mayor, I will do everything I can to work toward this goal."
For more on this year's mayoral race, check out our Decision 2012 election page.
