On Tuesday, May 26, the California Supreme Court handed down its decision to uphold Proposition 8, the voter initiative banning same-sex marriage, while upholding the 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place when same-sex marriage was legal in California last year. And that essentially divides Californians into marriage haves and have-nots. Soon after the decision was announced, the Gay & Lesbian Times took to the streets of San Diego to find out what the ruling means to you, and to ask you where we go from here.

“It’s really disappointing. I guess we have to repeal it next year. It’s so stupid that people think that religion and law is the same thing, because they really aren’t.” – Eric Parisini, Hillcrest resident, on Cleveland Avenue, in Hillcrest.

“Obviously I think Prop. 8 should not be upheld. I think the demonstrations and things were good but there just needs to be more of them now.” – Taylor Mechlinski, Boston visitor, on Cleveland Avenue, in Hillcrest.

“I’m a little torn. California is more of a liberal state, and then you see some of the more Midwestern states and they’re moving ahead. So I think it’s just a matter of getting the younger population out and voting. I think it’s a matter of educating people on what they can do to turn it over or to get it on the ballot again.” – Miles Brooks, Hillcrest resident, at the Hillcrest Uptown Shopping Center.

“The way I feel: A battle is lost but not the war. I’m sure it’s going to be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, and the voters are not precluded from bringing it back on the ballot. I am an attorney, but I haven’t yet read the decision. So it is what it is.” – Joseph Rego, Hillcrest resident, at the Hillcrest Uptown Shopping Center.

“Well if we believe the justice system will work for us, then we will continue the struggle. We need to get enough signatures to put another measure on the ballot. But we also need to do more than that. I think we need to do a better job at effectively communicating that this is not just a gay rights issue. This is a civil rights issue. It’s a human rights issue, and we need more than just a coalition of homosexuals to make this apparent to do more.” – Michael Brickey, North Park resident, at Filter Coffeehouse.

“I think everyone is entitled to their freedom, you know? In this country, we have all kinds of prejudices, as you know. Being a woman, being a black African-American woman, I understand, when you’re able to fight for your freedom and not get it.” – Deborah Joshua, Mission Hills resident, at Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge.

“I think Proposition 8 needs to be brought up again for us to revote on it. I think it’s totally unfair for anybody to decide on whom and who should not be able to marry. I mean, love is love, and everybody should have equal rights.” – Minerva Ontiveros, North Park resident, at Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge.

“I think it’s terrible. In 2009, we should be able to have better civil rights. You know people have been fighting for this for years. Here we are in 2009 and nothing’s really changed. You know, some gay couples I know have been together for, you know, 10, 20 years. Why are we denying them the right to be married?” – Jenna Gumto, North Park resident, working at clothing boutique Material in North Park.

“It’s ridiculous. I don’t see the reason for it. Everybody needs somebody.” – John Salcido, Mission Bay resident, at Twiggs Coffee House in University Heights.

“I think that’s wrong. People need people and there’s nothing wrong with it. Marriage was instituted, anyway, for inheritances to be passed on, for estates to be passed on, and people should have that right, even if it’s the same sex.” – Zan Norman, University Heights resident, at Twiggs Coffee House in University Heights.

“I think its crap. We’re all human beings. It’s simple. I don’t understand why it would be second guessed or even be a second thought about the matter.” – Sonia Borg, La Mesa resident, at Monica’s at the Park in University Heights

“I think it’s a really unfair ruling. I think it should be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court.” – Lyric McCaleb, City Heights resident, on Monroe Ave. in University Heights.

“California is no longer the leading cultural stated it used to be, you know, for the past 20 or 30 years.” – Allan Calvitti, North Park resident, at Crème Coffee in University Heights.