Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has issued the following statement on the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruling that California’s ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8, is unconstitutional:

“Today, California is significantly closer to the basic civil right of marriage equality. Like all other civil rights struggles in our history, the work is never done. Every big step forward is a step closer to eliminating discrimination in our society.

“My hope is that any justices considering a potential appeal will exhibit the same level of courage we have seen today.”

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