Reactions to Walker's Stay Ruling

"The overwhelming evidence at trial established beyond any doubt that Proposition 8 denies gay men and lesbians the fundamental right to marry and treats them unequally, without any rational basis for doing so, and that it causes them irreparable and immediate harm. The Court's decision today recognizes that there is no reason to delay allowing gay men and lesbians to enjoy the same rights that virtually all other citizens already enjoy."
-- Theodore B. Olson, plaintiffs' cocounsel in Perry v. Schwarzenegger

"The unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 is comprehensively and unequivocally demonstrated by the Court's 136-page ruling, and so we are confident that we will continue to prevail. Our nation was founded on the principle that every American is equal in the eyes of the law. This case is about affirming that principle."
-- Chad Griffin, board president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights

"Big win for LGBT community today: stay lifted and #MarriageEquality can resume on August 18. More work to do, but I join in today's joy."
-- San Francisco district attorney Kamala Harris @kamalaharris

"There is no doubt that this decision was due, in part, to Governor Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Brown asking the court to lift the stay. To ensure the State of California maintains its position against this discriminatory measure throughout the appellate process, Equality California will intensify its efforts to elect a pro-equality governor and attorney general."
-- Equality California executive director Geoff Kors

"Although we're disappointed that Judge Walker elected today to give the ninth circuit court of appeals a chance to consider the issue of the stay, we are gratified that he has denied the request to put his historic ruling on hold during any appeals. He has applied the standard legal tests in the standard way and reached the only logical conclusions given the overwhelming evidence produced at trial: Nobody is harmed -- especially not the backers of Prop. 8 -- by restoring equality in marriage to California's same-sex couples. Nobody suffers when everyone is treated equally. There's enough equality to go around.
-- Jennifer Pizer, national marriage project director for Lambda Legal

"Good news! Gay and lesbian couples can marry next Wed, Aug 18. No should be denied the right to marry based on their sexual orientation."
- Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa @villaraigosa

"Congrats to our gay+lesbian brothers, sisters. If u need bouquet advice, I am a trained florist."
- Actress @NiaVardalos

"August 18th Californians. You have 6 days to put together your wedding!!!"
- Actor @RealScottEvans

"This is an extraordinary moment, one that I am very proud of."
- San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom (watch the full video reaction below)

"I hope that by next week I will be able to send my heartfelt congratulations to thousands of couples in California who, after being denied their fundamental rights for too long, will finally be able to obtain the protections that only marriage can afford."
-- Michael B. Keegan, president of People For the American Way

"My marriage is one of the best things that happened to me. I'm so happy that all loving couples will be able to have the same thing in CA."
-- Ellen DeGeneres @TheEllenShow

"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the same-sex couples who will again be free to experience the joy and celebration of legally marrying in California. This is a remarkable moment, stemming from the landmark ruling declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional. That decision came down to a simple yet profound principle: People should be treated equally under the law. Lifting the stay puts that principle into practice. We thank the judge for his continuing sense of fairness and sound reasoning in this case."
-- Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"Congratulations, California! Thank you, Judge Walker! Sucks being you, hateful superstitious idiots."
-- TV host @DaveHolmes

"Walker has taken his activism to a next level, refusing to stay decision. This will backfire at SCOTUS. Will be overturned."
-- Brian Brown, NOM executive director @NOMTweets

"I've heard that the Prop 8 ruling has led the smiling couple on the @nomtweets page to commit a murder-suicide. Hope you're happy, gays!"
-- The Onion's A.V. Club film editor @scott_tobias