9th Circuit Court of Appeals rules Prop 8 unconstitutional, appeal likely

SAN DIEGO - Today's ruling by an appellate panel that Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, was unconstitutional, was hailed by Mayor Jerry Sanders and leaders of San Diego's gay and lesbian community.

''Today's decision is yet another huge step towards creating a society where everyone is afforded the right to marry,'' Sanders said in a statement to reporters. ''Marriage encourages people to take responsibility for each other, provides greater security for children, and helps our country live up to the promises set forth in our founding documents.''

Sanders, who once opp...