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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Vaishalee Raja, Communications Director,PHONE: (916) 284-9187,EMAIL:,vaishalee@eqca.org

Equality California Issues Statement on Prop. 8 Federal Trial

Historic trial resumes today with closing arguments

SAN FRANCISCO

Closing
arguments are scheduled today in the federal court challenge of
Proposition 8. Today also marks the two-year anniversary of the first
day that same-sex couples were allowed to marry legally, following the
California Supreme Court's decision to overturn the marriage ban.

In
response, Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, which
filed an amicus brief supporting the Proposition 8 federal challenge,
issued the following statement:

"Today's
proceedings in this landmark case are especially poignant as today
marks the two-year anniversary for the first same-sex couples who
legally married before this fundamental freedom was heartbreakingly
stripped away by a slim majority of voters.

"As
we observe this anniversary, we remain committed to working every day
in communities that supported the effort to take away the rights of
same-sex couples in order to educate Californians on the importance of
the freedom to marry. We look forward to the day that this dark chapter
in our nation's history is long behind us and our Constitution's
promise of liberty for all is restored.

"We
extend our deepest gratitude to the legal team of Ted Olson and David
Boies - passionate champions for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender community and to our friends at the American Foundation for
Equal Rights for their efforts to win justice."

Equality California is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots-based, statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to achieve equality and civil rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians.