Rights Groups: Court’s Decision on Marriage Should Go into Effect on Schedule, Says Legal Brief on Behalf of Couples
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2008
7:16 PM
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CONTACT: Rights Groups
Ali Bay Communications Manager Equality California 916.284.9187
ali@eqca.org
Molly Tafoya Communications Assistant
NCLR 415.392.6257 x305
Mobile: 415.828.9640
mtafoya@nclrights.org
Lisa Hardaway
Media Relations Director
Lambda LegalMobile: 973.902.9298
lhardaway@lambdalegal.org
Laura Saponara Communications Director
ACLU of Northern California415.293.6326
lsaponara@aclunc.org |
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Court’s Decision on Marriage Should Go into Effect on Schedule, Says Legal Brief on Behalf of Couples
State notifies county clerks that California lesbian and gay couples can marry starting June 17; Field Poll shows majority support for allowing lesbian and gay couples to marry
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - May 28 - Attorneys representing same-sex couples, Equality California and Our Family Coalition filed a legal brief today opposing a request to stay the court’s ruling and prevent couples from marrying for several months. The request to stay the California Supreme Court’s ruling was filed shortly before the Memorial Day weekend by an Arizona-based, right-wing legal group, the Alliance Defense Fund, on behalf of the Proposition 22 Legal Defense & Education Fund.
“Just as we trusted the court would do the right thing when it ruled on whether every Californian should have the opportunity to marry the person they love, we’re hopeful the court will ensure that its decision goes into effect on schedule,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California.
On May 15, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state may no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage.
“Couples like Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon have waited more than 50 years for the chance to marry,” Kors continued, referring to one of the couples involved in the landmark marriage case. “The highest court in our state has spoken, and now it is time to let those couples fulfill the dream so many people share — the dream of marrying the person they love.”
According to a letter sent to County Clerks’ offices today by the California Office of Vital Records, the state will begin granting marriage licenses to lesbian and gay couples on Tuesday, June 17.
As right-wing groups attempt to block the state Supreme Court’s decision, a new Field Poll released today indicates that public opinion in California has moved a long way toward support of marriage for lesbian and gay couples. According to the poll, 51 percent of Californians agree that lesbian and gay couples should be allowed to marry, while the percentage opposing marriage for same-sex couples has shrunk to 42 percent. Fifty-four percent oppose changing the state constitution to exclude lesbian and gay couples from marriage, while only 40 percent would favor such a change. Ballot measures that start off with a majority in opposition historically go down in defeat.
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Founded in 1998, Equality California celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2008, commemorating a decade of building a state of equality in California. EQCA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots-based, statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to achieve equality and civil rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians. www.eqca.org
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy and public education. NCLR is lead counsel in In re Marriage Cases. www.nclrights.org
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. www.lambdalegal.org
The American Civil Liberties Union is America’s foremost advocate of individual rights. It fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education. www.aclu.org
Our Family Coalition promotes the rights and well-being of Bay Area lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families with children and prospective parents through education, advocacy, social networking and grassroots community organizing. www.ourfamily.org
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