Proposition 8: 5 surprising facts
Opponents of Proposition 8, California’s anti-gay marriage bill, celebrate at Los Angelesd City Hall on February 7, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the voter-approved Proposition 8 measure violates the civil rights of gay men and lesbians.
The Ninth District Court of Appeals ruled California's controversial Proposition 8 unconstitutional on Tuesday. After garnering 52 percent of the votes, Proposition 8 was passed on November 5, 2008, virtually banning same-sex marriages in California overnight with an amendment to the state's consitution.
Here are five interesting facts about Prop. 8:
1. Serious fundraising. Campaign funding both for and against Proposition 8 totaled almost $84 million — making it the single highest-funded issue on a state ballot, according to the Los Angeles Times. Proponents of the initiative raised roughly $40 million with opponents gathering nearly $44 million.
2. Double trouble. The passage of Proposition 8 in 2008 overturned a decision made by the California Supreme Court earlier that year recognizing same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. On February 7, 2012, the Ninth District Court of Appeals supported a 2010 ruling by Judge Vaugn R. Walker that found Proposition 8 to be unconsitutional. The United States Supreme Court will likely make the final decision in the coming years.
More on GlobalPost: Prop 8: California gay marriage ban struck down as unconstitutional
3. Don't rush to the altar. Despite being declared as unconstitutional, the overruled proposition does not mean California's same-sex couples may suddenly flock to the altar, according to CBS News. Nonetheless, couples who tied the knot before November 5, 2008 have continued to be recognized as legally married in California. Over 11,000 California same-sex couples are recognized by the state today the Los Angeles Timesalso found.
4. "Whether you like it or not." A video released in 2008 of former San Francisco Mayor and current California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom showed his support of same-sex marriages, saying, "It's inevitable. It's going to happen — whether you like it not." The statement reportedly ignited proponents of Proposition 8, allegedly causing polls to shift in favor of Prop. 8.
5. The Governator wasn't for it. While fellow Republicans like Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich rallied behind Prop. 8, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger rejected any initiative that would amend the state's consitution, despite his previous vetoes to legislation seeking to recognize same-sex marriages in the state.
More on GlobalPost: Top 5 under-reported stories of 2011
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