In November of 2008, voters passed Prop. 8, a proposition ballot and state constitutional amendment that eliminates the rights of same-sex couples to marry. This measure added the provision (Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights) to the California Constitution, stating, "only marriage between a man and woman is valid and recognized in the state of California."

"I think gay marriage should be legal... [Same-sex couples] are people and citizens of the United States and should be equal to everyone else under the law and have the same rights as other citizens," senior Hannah Strauss said.

Like many of her other colleagues, Strauss shares a liberal view on the subject which is prominent around the Bay Area. American High School even hosts its own Gay-Straight Alliance that is student-run.

"[Prop. 8] caused a lot of problems that, I think, were unnecessary... We're in California and we are more liberal, we should be setting an example for the rest of the country," Strauss continued. Many southeast and mid-west states with a conservative preference boast of legislation that makes gay marriage illegal.

With the San Franciscan court's overturning of Prop. 8, many hope that this will lead to a progression of gay rights throughout the nation. "I think it's a step forward for gay rights, for California, and for the country as a whole," Strauss concluded.