Gay Marriage Ban Overturned in California

As you can imagine, talk radio and the blogosphere are buzzing out here in California after this morning's decision by the state Supreme Court to overturn the ban on gay marriage. That ban was approved by voters but then challenged in a lawsuit:

The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted the monthlong wedding march that took place when Mayor Gavin Newsom opened the doors of City Hall to same-sex marriages.

"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.

The decision opens the door for gay couples to tie the knot legally in the Golden State. But it's not a sure thing yet. This being California it could go before voters as a ballot initiative... yet again. A group of religious and social conservatives are hoping to bring a measure that would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. If that passes it would trump today's court decision.

The amendment initiative could end up on the ballot in November, basically ensuring that gay marriage will be an issue debated by Barack Obama and John McCain this fall.

What do you think? Did California's Supreme Court make the right decision?