London, Nov 7 : Hollywood actress Ellen DeGeneres, who openly campaigned against the Proposition 8, is "saddened" with the passing of a ban on same-sex marriage in California.

The talk show host, who married Hollywood actress Portia Rossi revealed that though by electing Obama America has taken a giant step forward, with the Proposition 8 amendment "took a giant step away".

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California. America had taken a giant step toward equality by electing Barack Obama, but with the Proposition 8 amendment, took a giant step away,” BBC quoted DeGeneres, as saying.

DeGeneres had also bought 100,000 dollars of TV airtime to campaign against the referendum.

The 50-year-old actress revealed she would "continue to speak out for equality for all of us".

Meanwhile, Star Trek actor George Takei, who wed his partner Brad Altman in September, said it was "astounding to think the hard-won equality" that enabled his marriage to take place "would no longer be possible for others". (ANI)