Californian gay couples can resume getting married next week, pending the appeal of the decision to overturn Proposition 8. Chief US District Judge Vaughn Walker says the order to allow gay marriage will take effect at 5pm on August 18. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is pleased Judge Walker lift his stay and provide all Californians the liberties he believes everyone deserves. "Today's ruling continues to place California at the forefront in providing freedom and equality for all people." California voters passed Prop 8 in November 2008, five months after the California Supreme Court legalised same-sex unions. An estimated 18,000 same sex couples had already tied the knot. Walker last week ruled that the voter-backed ban on gay marriage violated due-process and equal-protection rights under the US Constitution. The ruling has implications for nearly 40 US states with similar laws on their books.