LGBT advocates are celebrating a major federal court decision today affirming the unconstitutionality of Proposition 8, which reversed marriage rights for same-sex couples in California.  The ruling of the 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upholds a lower court’s decision that overturned Prop 8.

“Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California,” the court said.

The court also dismissed claims that a new trial is warranted because Judge Vaughn Walker, who presided over the federal district court case, is gay and partnered and did not disclose those facts ahead of the trial.

The challenge to Proposition 8 was brought by lawyers Theodore Olson and David Boies under the sponsorship of the American Foundation for Equal Rights.  AFER will be holding a series of briefings about today’s decision.  More information about Internet broadcasts of those events can be found here.

All parties expect today’s ruling will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Follow Prop 8 Trial Tracker for up-to-the-minute developments and analysis of today’s ruling.