thedailywhat:

Breaking Prop 8 News of the Day: In a split 2-1 decision, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco today declared California’s ban on same-sex marriage — known as Proposition 8 — unconstitutional.

“Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California,” said the court in its ruling.

Proponents of the ban are expected to appeal today’s ruling either before a larger 9th Circuit panel, or skip that step and go straight to the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit Court’s decision was unlikely to have an immediate impact on similar bans in other states. Additionally, California’s ban of same-sex marriage remains in place while the appeals process is ongoing.

[latimes: 1, 2 / @kcbs / photo: getty via zimbio.]