While California may be host to the most spectacular battle over marriage equality, it's anything but a new phenomenon. In the 10 years since reaction to gay-friendly court rulings sent Hawaiians to the polls to change the state constitution to forbid gay marriage, 29 other states have had similar votes. Between the 16th June and 5th November 2008 over 18000 same-sex couples took advantage of the temporary legalisation of the gay marriage in California. With Proposition 8 the constitutional law in the state of California was amended redefining marriage as an act between a man and a woman. Two same-sex couples as well as a gay group fighting for gay rights have appealed to the Supreme Court of California against the Proposition 8 on the grounds that this referendum contradicts the constitution. They aim to re-instate gay marriage. Same-sex marriage remains a contentious issue within the state, with same-sex marriage supporters trying to get another ballot initiative in the 2012 election to return the state to granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples.