On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 — the gay marriage ban — and celebrities are already voicing their opinions against the ruling.
“The decision to uphold Prop 8 is deeply disappointing,” former *NSYNC band member Lance Bass wrote in a statement to Access Hollywood. “I can only hope to one day live in a country that grants equal rights, opportunity, and freedom to all citizens.”
In the ruling, handed down just before 10 AM local time, the California Supreme Court ruled that gay couples that wed before the election will stay married under state law.
Ellen DeGeneres, who married wife Portia de Rossi in August 2008, is still legally wed under the ruling, and she too spoke out over the court’s decision on Tuesday.
“I’m sure you heard the Prop 8 news. One day when everyone is treated with full equality, we’ll look back and realize how wrong this was,” Ellen said in a statement to Access.
Melissa Etheridge, who has been very vocal about the passing of Prop 8, also released a statement to Access over the ruling.
“So, will anyone be sleeping better tonight? Those full of hate and fear will surely be disappointed that 18,000 same sex couples will be living in wedded bliss, kissing their spouses goodnight, checking off those little ‘married’ boxes on all those forms we fill out nowadays. That’s really going to drive them crazy,” Melissa said in her statement.
Melissa, who planned to legally marry her longtime partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, said the ruling was tough on her family.
“Then there are those of us like me who still dangle in ‘domestic partnership,’” she said in her statement. “We can adopt our own children, but we can’t bring our partners who might be citizens from out of the country, here. We can’t file joint tax returns. I could go on.
“Who will be happy tonight? How do I explain this to my children?” she continued. “Well, you know Ellen? She is married but Mommy and I are not…. That is liberty and justice for all? I am hopeful as I see more and more states turn to the inevitable future of equality, California will get there. Change takes time.”
Kathy Griffin also released a statement to Access on Tuesday, and she said her mother, Maggie, wants to go protesting.
“My 89 year old mother has asked me to get her a wheelchair to take her to a protest tonight, even though she isn’t in the greatest of health. She is neither gay, nor the parent of a gay person, but she is as passionate about this decision as I am,” Kathy’s statement read. “I am so proud to march with her. Shame on the CA Supreme Court for this decision that history will not look back on fondly.”
As the news trickled out on Tuesday afternoon, more stars took to the Internet to express their displeasure with the court’s ruling.
“I have many gay friends and all I want is for them to be happy, yet this is just another obstacle in their way. Now they must continue fighting to be granted a basic civil right that many people take for granted,” Kim Kardashian wrote on her blog. “Shame on you, California!”
DJ Samantha Ronson shared her opinion via Twitter.
“nice work california court, u must be beaming with pride. bet ya can’t wait to tell the grandkids one day all about how you saved marriage,” she wrote.
Demi Moore also hit Twitter to voice her opinion.
“I am deeply saddened by CA courts decision over Prop8,” Demi Tweeted.
Gay marriage is currently legal in four states — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Iowa. Vermont’s legislature passed a law making same-sex marriages legal. The law will take effect in September.
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