Judge Vaughn Walker in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal trial that has determined the unconstitutionality of California's Prop 8, has just announced that in implementing Prop 8 California violated the rights of California’s gay and lesbian citizens, and asserted that marriage as an socio-political and legal institution should be equally available to same-sex couples as it is for opposite-sex couples.

Judge Walker's ruling states:

Because Proposition 8 is unconstitutional under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, the court orders entry of judgment permanently enjoining its enforcement; prohibiting the official defendants from applying or enforcing Proposition 8 and directing the official defendants that all persons under their control or supervision shall not apply or enforce Proposition 8.

Both sides had already previously announced their intention to contest the decision in an appeal to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Walker will publish his ruling later this afternoon; more later, but until then, here's The Huffington Post's coverage. Walker's assertion that the law violates both Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the constitution  is a sign-post that strongly indicates a series of test cases and additional appeals trials.

It's not over yet—there's still a long way to go in California, never mind the steps required to over turn the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

But this is a start towards equal rights and protects for same-sex couples.

ETA: You can read Judge Walker's decision as a downloadable .pdf here. It's cogent, thoughtful, and well-written.