January, 04 2011, 02:28pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Vaishalee Raja, Communications Director,PHONE: (916) 284-9187,EMAIL:,vaishalee@eqca.org
Equality California Hails Court's Decision Denying Standing to Imperial County in Prop. 8 Federal Challenge
Federal Court will now ask California Supreme Court to Consider Issue of Standing
SAN FRANCISCO
Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Imperial County's
attempt to intervene in the Proposition 8 federal challenge, and the
court will now ask the California Supreme Court to consider whether the
groups that placed Proposition 8 on the ballot have legal standing to
appeal Judge Walker's decision to overturn Prop. 8 on the grounds that
the measure is unconstitutional.
Equality California filed the only amicus brief arguing
that Imperial County lacked legal standing to appeal Prop. 8. In
addition, out of the more than 25 amicus briefs submitted, the Ninth
Circuit Court has chosen to send the California Supreme Court Equality
California's second amicus brief arguing that Prop. 8 proponent Protect
Marriage also lacks legal standing to appeal.
Statement from Equality California Executive Director Geoff Kors:
"We are very pleased with the court's decision to deny
Imperial County standing, and it is clear the court wants to determine
if California law allows proponents of a constitutional initiative to
step into the state's shoes when state officials decline to defend a
measure that clearly violates the equal protections enshrined in the
U.S. Constitution. We are optimistic that the case will be dismissed,
marriage equality restored and that same-sex couples and their families
will finally enjoy equality and dignity under the law."
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.
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