CA Celebrates Marriage Equality

Release from the national Equality Federation for which KFA is a member.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008

CONTACT:
Toni Broaddus, 415-252-0510


EQUALITY FEDERATION CELEBRATES MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN CALIFORNIA
Equality California Key to Success of Multi-Year Marriage Effort

Today, California becomes the second state to guarantee marriage equality for all of its citizens. This historic decision by the California Supreme Court is a victory for fairness and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of loving, committed couples and their families in California.

“The decision is historic but the joy is very personal for families all across California, knowing that we are finally able to have the basic protections and opportunities that come with marriage,” said Toni Broaddus, Equality Federation executive director. “Across America, millions more continue to work and hope for a day like this one in their own state.”

Equality Federation member group Equality California (EQCA) was one of the plaintiffs in the case and was instrumental in passing marriage equality legislation twice in the state legislature..

“This is a profound and wonderful moment in the history of the marriage movement,” said Geoff Kors, EQCA executive director. “The California Supreme Court has done its job to ensure that all citizens of this state are treated equally under the law. Every loving and committed couple deserves the dignity and support that comes with marriage.”

Across the country, state equality groups are working to ensure that families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have the same rights and responsibilities as all other families. Currently, marriage litigation is pending in Iowa and Connecticut, where Federation member groups One Iowa and Love Makes a Family, respectively, are leading efforts to educate the public about the need for basic fairness for all families. In New Jersey, Garden State Equality is aggressively pursuing marriage equality through the legislature, as is New York’s Empire State Pride Agenda in theirs. In states with marriage bans, state equality groups continue to explore other options for providing basic protections for LGBT families.

“Most Americans believe that marriage equality will be a reality in their lifetimes,” noted Broaddus. “Equality Federation member organizations in every corner of this country are working hard to achieve the American dream of equality and justice for all. We are all inspired by the California marriage decision and look forward to the day when every American in every state and territory will have the opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams by marrying the person they love.”

###

Equality Federation is a national alliance of statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy organizations working to achieve equality in every state and territory by building a state-based movement. For more information, visit our website at www.equalityfederation.org.