Charleston, WV–Below is a statement from Fairness West Virginia President Stephen Skinner on Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision today on Proposition 8 in California.

“This historic decision demonstrates that the federal constitution will not tolerate discrimination against a specific class of persons. This case about is about the guarantees of the federal constitution and the rights afford to all persons, including gay people.

“The one thing we now know is that state constitutional amendments are meaningless in the face of the federal constitution and the bill of rights. Perry v. Schwarzenegger will no doubt make its way to the United States Supreme Court who will be the ultimate authority on the constitutionality of Proposition 8. This makes any attempt to amend the West Virginia constitution both meaningless and spiteful. We hope that those people who oppose equality for gays and lesbians tell the truth about the meaning of this decision and focus their energy on helping families, not tearing them down.”

Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Perry v. Schwarzenegger,  ruled today that the amendment to the California Constitution barring marriage for same-sex couples, adopted in November 2008 as Proposition 8, violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process.