Federal Judge James Ware has ordered the Proposition 8 case in California closed, bringing to an end a four-year battle between marriage equality foes and advocates. According to a story posted on The New Civil Rights Movement website, Ware ordered the case closed Monday, Aug. 27, but same-sex couples may still have to wait awhile until they can get married in the Golden State.
The order comes despite the fact that proponents of Proposition 8 have requested the Supreme Court to review the case because, Judge James Ware wrote today, all requests to stay the judgment in the case have been denied,” according to Buzzfeed. “The proponents made no request of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court to stay the case pending resolution by the Supreme Court.”
In 2008, voters in California approved Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriages in the state. This came months after the state’s supreme court approved marriage equality and more than 18,000 same-sex couples wed.
Once Prop 8 passed in November 2008, no more same-sex couples were able to tie the knot. A judge later ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional and the fight has remained in courts ever since.
Marriage Equality USA doesn’t expect same-sex couples to line up at courthouses any time soon following today’s announcement.
“In fact, stay is likely not lifted per the original court order which noted it would continue until SCOTUS final disposition. In other words, the United States Supreme Court may have to take up the case before marriage equality is fully achieved in California.
