Is Same Sex Marriage Legal in California?

Learn about the history of same sex marriage and how it became legal in California

Is same sex marriage legal in California?

The answer is yes and here is a history of how it became legal.

Here is a timeline of what occurred with the initial illegality and eventual legality of same sex marriages in California.

The Process of How Same Sex Marriage Became Legal in California

Here is a step by step of what occurred regarding same sex marriage laws

California Supreme Court ruled in 2008 in favor of same sex marriage

May of 2008

In May of 2008 the California Supreme Court ruled that California's Constitution guarantees the right to marry to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.

The California Supreme Court held Family Code 300 and 308.5 unconstitutional to the extent they intended to distinguish marriage for same-sex versus opposite sex couples.

California voters passed Proposition 8 and made same sex marriage unlawful

November of 2008

In November of 2008 California voters passed what is now the infamous Proposition 8. Proposition 8 declared marriage to be between one man and one woman. As expected, after Proposition 8 passed, legal challenges to its constitutionality ensued.

In a significant decision, the same California Supreme Court held Proposition 8 was a proper constitutional amendment.

The only victory same-sex couples received was the California Supreme Court also determined Proposition 8 could not be retroactive. This allowed same-sex marriages that occurred before Proposition 8 to remain valid.

The United States District Court in California rules same sex marriage is lawful

August of 2010

Proponents of same-sex marriage did not however give up.

The United States District Court (a Federal Court) for the Northern District of California heard a case against Proposition 8's constitutionality.

On a momentous day of August 4, 2010 the United States District Court ruled Proposition 8 was unconstitutional because it violated due process and the 14th amendment's equal protection clause.

The United States Supreme Court however agreed to hear this case and decide if the Ninth Circuit's decision was correct.

Interestingly, the United States Supreme Court then threw a curveball at everyone and held those who wanted to uphold Proposition 8 lacked "standing" to do so.

Therefore, same-sex marriage became legal in California once again.

California amended its family code and codified same sex marriage

January 1, 2015

In California, on January 1, 2015, California amended Family Code 300 and repealed Family Code 308.5 and recognized same sex marriage.

The California legislature also created Family Code 308 which recognized same-sex marriages created outside of California so long as it was valid in the state the marriage was created or contracted.

The same sex marriage issue became a national one

June of 2015

Nationally however, the issue was not closed until the United States Supreme Court heard the landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges in the year 2015.

In June of 2015, in the Obergefell v. Hodges case, the court held same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry and no state has the right to refuse to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in another state.

Farzad & Ochoa handles sex same divorce cases

If you and your same sex partner are married but you need representation for a potential or pending divorce, please contact our experienced California family law attorneys.

We have offices throughout Southern California.

We offer an affordable strategy session and are ready to help.

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