California ban on same-sex marriage struck down

Journalist:   CNN News
Date:   May 16, 2008
Summary:   The California Supreme Court recently struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.  This ruling surprised many legal experts because the court has a reputation for being conservative.  The hope is that California will set the tone and this will bring wider acceptance across the nation for gay and lesbian families.  Groups opposing same-sex marriage responded strongly to the ruling and want a constitutional amendment to be placed on the November ballot.   This decision could play a more important role in the upcoming Presidential election.
Relevance:   laws on same-sex marriage
Questions:
1.  Are you surprised that prior to this California was not allowing same-sex marriages?  What are your thoughts?
2.  What impact do you think this will have on the rest of the country?  Do you think there will ever be a time in which same-sex marriages are legal in all states?
Here is a link to the article.