Score one for equality! A panel of the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals have ruled that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional in a decision 2 to 1. This does not, however, mean that gays and lesbians can begin wedding preparations just yet. Proposition 8 will still be in effect until the Supreme Court hands down the final verdict.

This decision upholds the previous ruling by Judge Walker in 2010. The appeals court also refused to invalidate Walker’s 2010 ruling on the grounds of his homosexuality. Not surprising, since similar attempts of removing Hispanic judges from immigration cases have have been met with failure as well. Proposition 8 proponents can appeal this ruling to a larger panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, or just go directly to the Supreme Court from here. Stubborn is stubborn, as we all know, so I expect to hear an attempt to appeal.

Celebratory tweets have been making their way around, and I’d like to take a moment to share some of my favorites with you.

@NathanFillion: “Good job! Prop 8 ruled too douche. Haters must find new platform, looking toward diabetics.”

@SethMacFarlane: “Prop 8 architects: Every civil rights battle is eventually won by the oppressed party. Save your hundred mil and buy some Bud platinum.”

@CoryMonteith: “Prop 8 has been ruled unconstitutional! In other news, the Pacific Ocean was discovered to be wet.”

Next stop, the Supreme Court. This is the big one, you guys. An overwhelming majority of people under the age of 35 are in support of marriage equality, so I truly believe that it will be an inevitability. But it’s just not fair for a generation to have to suffer while waiting for all the older voters to die off. Demand equality, and demand it now.

Then we’ll show ’em how a REAL nerd wedding is done.

Tags: gay marriage, love, prop 8