Supporters of California's voter-approved marriage definition that bars gays from legal marriage are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision to strike down the measure.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals court struck down Proposition 8 in 2008, calling it unconstitutional.

"Marriage between a man and a woman has been the cornerstone of our society for millenniums," Andy Pugno, Proposition 8's general counsel, said in statement.

"Prop. 8 simply continues what every society has known and practiced: Children and society are far better off when traditional marriage is maintained," he said.

"Our Constitution does not mandate the traditional definition of marriage, but neither does our Constitution condemn it," Pugno continued. "Rather, it leaves the definition of marriage in the hands of the people, to be resolved through the democratic process in each state."

The high court will decide this fall whether or not to hear the case.