Fri. August 6, 2010
Los Angeles -
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is urging U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker to lift the stay on his Prop. 8 decision, so that gays and lesbians in California can get married immediately.
"As the Court has pointed out, California has already issued 18,000 marriage licenses to same-sex couples without suffering any resulting harm," Schwarzenegger's office said in written arguments to U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Government officials can resume issuing such licenses without administrative delay or difficulty."
Governor Schwarzenegger said California has always been in the forefront of welcoming gays and lesbians.
Walker's ruling is "consistent with
California's long history of leading the way in recognizing the rights of gay and lesbian families to order their relationships and manage their day-to-day lives," he said. "California's public interest is served by giving the Court's judgment effect now."
When Judge Walker ruled that the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional on Wednesday, he also put a temporary stay on his own decision. That means that at this point, Prop. 8 is still in effect and gays and lesbians cannot get married.
Both sides turned in arguments as to why they believe the stay should or should not be lifted.
Prop. 8 supporters said they will take the injunction issue to the Supreme Court if necessary.
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