Regardless of your feelings on the issue, I think we all know this is going to set off another round of controversy. 

California Supreme Court overturns gay marriage ban

SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court has overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage, paving the way for the state to become the second in the United States where gay and lesbian residents can marry.

The justices released the 4-3 decision Thursday, saying that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George.

Outside the courthouse, gay marriage supporters cried and cheered as news spread of the decision.

In striking down the ban, the court said, "In contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual's sexual orientation — like a person's race or gender — does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights."

The cases were brought by the city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples, Equality California and another gay rights group in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march that took place at Mayor Gavin Newsom's direction.

"Today the California Supreme Court took a giant leap to ensure that everybody — not just in the state of California, but throughout the country — will have equal treatment under the law," said City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who argued the case for San Francisco.

It's a start, but there's a lot of states to go. At least this is a desirable state to live in where it's allowed.

What bothers me though is that courts can go against people's wishes. If you think this is good (due to gay issue) what will you do when courts go against its people on other issues?
I don't find this good at all.

Quite true. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong, the fact that a court can overturn a democratic decision is worrysom.

Theres alot of people in west hollywood that will love this news, lol.

Actually, the CA state legislautre has tried to overturn the ban twice. Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill both times.

     The reason we have a Supreme Court is so that it can act as a last defense when democracy goes wrong.  Remember, at one point a majority of this country thought slavery was morally acceptable and necessary for the economy.  At one point a majority of this country thought interracial marriage should be illegal.  There are many more examples, but the interracial marriage one is VERY VERY recent, and very very relevant.  One of the Supreme Court's jobs is to make sure that in our democracy the majority doesn't simply vote to limit the rights of the minorities.  You think the general population got to vote on the Civil Rights Act?  Hell no, that went straight to the Supreme Court.  If we were 100% direct democracy, it would still be illegal to get a divorce or a blowjob.

Courts can go against people's wishes. If people in a state want to ban something, they are likely to have that overturned, due to the first amendment.

So in the case of this ruling, the question is whether this overturn was based on higher laws, that even a majority vote can be overturned.