The 9th Circuit Court ruled Tuesday that California’s Proposition 8, the state’s ban of gay marriage, is unconstitutional because it violates the 14th Amendment.

“The panel majority held that by using their initiative power to target a minority group and withdraw a right that it possessed, without a legitimate reason for doing so, the People of California violated the Equal Protection Clause,” Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in the decision.

In the decision summary that can be found on the 9th Circuit Court’s website, Reinhardt specifically made sure to make it known that the court’s decision only pertains to the state of California and does not relate to the rest of the states.

Art major and openly-gay student Julian Gonzalez agreed with the court’s decision.

“Banning gay marriage is unconstitutional and makes humans inferior to others. Instead of being against each other, we should stand for equality,” he said. “How is this any different than judging someone based on the color of their skin?”

The court’s decision to confirm the proposition as unconstitutional will help the proposition’s appeal. The appeal was first submitted as Perry v. Brown in December of 2010.

Psychology major and openly-gay student Luis Ralph said that he is ecstatic about the decision and supports the progress the proposition’s appeal has made.

“Three times should be enough to prove something, eh? Victory!” he said. “We’re here, we’re queer and we’re absolutely not living in fear.”

The USU started the LGBTQ Peer Mentor Program this semester to provide support and resources to LGBTQ students and those that may be questioning their sexuality, according to the website.

“Gay marriage may not be legal today but it is a step closer and I am ecstatic. Hopefully it will go to the Supreme Court,” said Sarina Loeb, USU special assistant for diversity initiatives.