WASHINGTON — Two challenges to same-sex couples' marriage rights in California were turned away by the state's Supreme Court Wednesday.
The California Supreme Court denied the petitions filed by the proponents of California's marriage amendment, Proposition 8, and by the San Diego County Clerk, Ernest Dronenburg.
The cases had sought a ruling from the court that state officials lacked authority to mandate that Proposition 8 could no longer be enforced across the state, but the court denied those requests.
"The petition for a writ of mandate is denied," the court ordered in the proponents' case.
"The request for dismissal of the petition for a writ of mandate is granted," the court ordered in the clerk's case.
Update: California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris issued a statement:
"Once again, equality and freedom triumph in California. The California Supreme Court has denied the Proposition 8 proponents' latest attempt to deny same-sex couples their constitutional right to marry. I applaud the Court's decision and my office will continue to defend the civil rights of all Californians."