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LBGTQ* News As It Happens

Appeals court rejects California’s Proposition 8

By the CNN Wire Staff

(updated 3:14 PM EST, Tue February 7, 2012)

San Francisco (CNN) — A federal appeals court ruled against California’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage Tuesday, arguing the ban unconstitutionally singles out gays and lesbians for discrimination.

In a split decision, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the state’s Proposition 8 “works a meaningful harm to gays and lesbians” by denying their right to civil marriage in violation of the 14th Amendment. Supporters of same-sex marriages cheered the decision when it was announced outside the courthouse Tuesday morning.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, California,” one man in the crowd shouted when the decision was released.

(Photo from CS Monitor)

(via queenbeereginageorge)