SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says it's only a matter of time before gay marriage is recognized in California.
The Republican governor responded to Tuesday's California Supreme Court ruling upholding last year's Proposition 8.
In a statement, Schwarzenegger did not directly address whether he agrees or disagrees with the decision. Instead, he said he believes "either the people or the courts" will one day legalize same-sex marriages.
He applauded the court's decision to allow the 18,000 gay weddings that took place between June and November, the period when such marriages were legal.
Schwarzenegger also encouraged those who were rallying in response to the court's decision to do so peacefully.
Gay, Lesbian Lawmakers Decry Ruling
Gay and lesbian state lawmakers said they were disheartened by the court ruling but compared gay marriage to the long struggle for civil rights.
Members of the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus held a news conference shortly after the court upheld Proposition 8.
State Sen. Christine Kehoe, a San Diego Democrat, said California "has lost its lead in the fight for civil rights for all people."
Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a Democrat from San Francisco, said the court's decision would create a system of "apartheid" in California.
The lawmakers equated the fight for marriage equality to the long process of securing rights for blacks, Asians and women.
They predicted that gay marriage supporters would fund an initiative campaign to place the issue before voters for a third time.
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