news & opinion
FAQ
FAQs About Prop 8 Decision, the Appeal, and Marriage Rights for Same-Sex Couples
8.25.10—On August 4, 2010, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker issued a decision in
the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger concluding that Proposition 8, the California
constitutional amendment barring same-sex couples from marrying, violates the
United States Constitution. Judge Walker wrote a 136-page decision that analyzed
all the evidence submitted in the three-week trial. He ruled that Prop 8 violates the
federal constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection.
What the Ninth Circuit's Latest Ruling in the Prop 8 Case Means (FAQ)
Statement
Federal Judge: Prop 8 Unconstitutional
A statement from Executive Director Kate Kendell
08.04.10— Today in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, a federal lawsuit challenging California’s Proposition 8, Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco ruled that Proposition 8 violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws.
Press Release
Sonoma County Defendants to Pay Clay Greene over $650,000 to Settle Case in which County Forcefully Separated Greene from his Partner of 20 Years
07.23.10— Late yesterday evening, Clay Greene and the estate of Harold Scull, Greene's deceased partner of 20 years, reached a settlement resolving their lawsuit against the County of Sonoma (“County”) and other defendants.
Press Release
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds University Non-Discrimination Policy in NCLR Case
Rejects challenge to Law School Policy Requiring Funded Student Groups To Welcome All Students
06.28.10— Today, in a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Ruth Ginsburg, the United States Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the University of California Hastings College of the Law’s policy of requiring all funded student groups to be open to all students.
case updates and program highlights
Victory! (California)
Perry v. Schwarzenegger
On May 22, 2009, two same-sex couples filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenging California’s Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to prohibit marriage by same-sex couples.
read more about NCLR's marriage work
read the amicus brief filed by NCLR, the ACLU, and Lambda Legal (pdf)
Victory! (U.S. Supreme Court)
Christian Legal Society v. Martinez
Like many public schools, the University of California - Hastings College of the Law allows law students to organize student groups that can apply for university funding and other resources for group-related events. To be recognized as an official student group, all student groups must abide by Hastings' policy on nondiscrimination. In 2004, the Christian Legal Society (CLS) filed a lawsuit against Hastings, arguing that the nondiscrimination policy violated the group's First Amendment right to discriminate against LGBT and non-Christian students. NCLR represents Outlaw, the LGBT student group at Hastings, which intervened to defend the University's policy. Hastings is represented by Ethan Schulman of Crowell & Moring LLP.
Victory! (California)
Greene v. County of Sonoma et al.
In a tragic case that touched the hearts of thousands across the country, NCLR clients Clay Greene and the estate of Harold Scull, Greene's deceased partner of 20 years, reached a settlement on July 22 resolving their lawsuit against the County of Sonoma and other defendants.
Legislative Highlight
ENDA
The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a bill to create a federal law which would prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, defined to include gender expression. It would provide critically-needed protection for people at serious risk of job discrimination. After years of hard work and thousands of conversations with law and policymakers, we are poised to pass an ENDA inclusive of gender identity in this Congress. In order to achieve that, senators and representatives must hear from their constituents that this bill is a high priority for the LGBT community. President Obama has identified passing this bill, inclusive of both sexual orientation and gender identity, as one of his civil rights agenda priorities.
Over the past 30 years the National Center for Lesbian Rights has been at the forefront of nearly every legal gain won for LGBT people and families.
Each issue listed here provides a wealth of information regarding:
- cases we've been involved in
- news & opinion
- publications and downloads
Do you have legal questions related to your sexual orientation or gender identity?
The information on our website is here to help you. If you don’t find the answers to your questions on our website, NCLR's online help form can help you find the answers.
