On May 16, Fulton Superior Court Judge Constance Russell overturned the constitutional amendment that banned of gay marriage in Georgia. The amendment was passed by the voters overwhelmingly in 2004 with 76% approving.

Karen Handel, Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and candidate for Secretary of State, said today, “I am extremely disappointed in this ruling. Liberal, activist judges are becoming more and more of a problem in our country. From attempting to ban God from the pledge of allegiance to blatantly ignoring the will of Georgians who voted to ban gay marriage, they are becoming increasingly bold and outrageous. This attempt to overrule the voice of Georgia voters should not stand.”

Handel added, “As a strong supporter of the amendment in 2004, I will continue to advocate that the sanctity of marriage should be between a man and a woman. I urge Attorney General Baker to immediately appeal this reprehensible ruling, and I encourage the Governor and legislature to consider every option to uphold the will of the people.”