News & Opinion
for this issue
Statement
NCLR Responds to U.S. Supreme Court Decision To Take Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act Cases
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
12.7.12—Today, the United States Supreme Court announced that it will hear the challenge to California’s Proposition 8 and one challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Statement
Judge Walker Rules Marriages Can Begin Aug. 18 Unless Court of Appeals Intervenes
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
08.12.10—Today, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that there was no basis to stay his Aug. 4 ruling that Proposition 8 violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws. However, Walker also ordered that marriages cannot begin until Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. in order to give the United States Court of Appeals time to review his decision to deny the stay.
Statement
Attorney General Jerry Brown and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Oppose Prop 8 Stay
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
08.06.10—Today, both California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown filed separate motions opposing a stay of U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker's decision to overturn Prop. 8.
Statement
Federal Judge: Prop 8 Unconstitutional
A Statement from NCLR 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.
Statement
Federal Judge: DOMA Violates the Constitutional Rights of Same-Sex Married Couples
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
07.08.10—Today, in the cases Gill v. Office of Personnel Management and Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Department of Health and Human Services, which challenge the constitutionality of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), Judge Joseph Tauro of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the denial of federal rights and benefits to lawfully married same-sex couples is unconstitutional.
Press Release
Groundbreaking Study Released on Polling Regarding Marriage Equality and Same-Sex Relationships
Shows that Voters Don’t Move During Campaigns; Debunks Theories Explaining Persistent Discrepancies between Polls and Actual Results
06.15.10—A groundbreaking report released today analyzing a decade’s worth of polling on ballot measures regarding marriage for same-sex couples found that forces supporting and opposing marriage equality had little success at changing voter sentiment during these campaigns.
Press Release
Advocacy Groups Release FAQ Guide for Maryland Same-Sex Couples Married Out of State
03.08.10—Today, Lambda Legal, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Maryland, and the American Civil Liberties Union released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide for same-sex couples in Maryland who married out of state.
Statement
Historic Day for Marriage Equality in Mexico City
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
03.04.10—Today Mexico City’s marriage equality bill takes effect, granting same-sex couples the rights, responsibilities and protections guaranteed by marriage, in addition to the right to adopt. The bill passed Mexico City’s legislature with a vote of 39-20 on December 21, 2009 and was upheld by Mexico’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation. Mexico City is the second municipality after Buenos Aires to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples in Latin America.
Statement
NCLR Celebrates Marriage Equality in the District of Columbia
A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell
03.03.10—Today the District of Columbia began accepting marriage applications for same-sex couples, after Chief Justice John Roberts denied a last-minute request to stop the District’s same sex marriage law from taking effect. Washington D.C. became the sixth U.S. jurisdiction to allow same-sex couples to marry after the D.C. Council overwhelmingly passed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Act of 2009 and Congress, during its 30 day review period, did not act to overturn it.
Press Release
NCLR Hails Maryland's Marriage Recognition Opinion
A.G. says state law calls for recognition of marriages of same-sex couples
02.24.10—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) hails the opinion issued today by Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler that the marriages of same-sex couples validly entered into in other jurisdictions may be recognized by the state. The decision predicts that the Maryland high court likely would “recognize a same-sex marriage contracted validly in another jurisdiction.”
Press Release
Alameda County Fire Department and CalPERS Provide Equal Benefits to Same-Sex Spouse After National Center for Lesbian Rights Intervenes
New California Law Requires Equal Treatment of Same-Sex Spouses
02.18.10—The Alameda County Fire Department and the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) have agreed to extend spousal benefits to same-sex spouses married outside of California, in compliance with a new state law. The changes came about after the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) advocated with the fire department and CalPERS on behalf of a fire department employee, Nancy C.
Statement
NCLR Applauds District of Columbia Marriage Victory
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
12.15.09—Today, in a final vote of 11-2, the Washington, D.C. City Council passed legislation to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. The bill, championed by City Councilmember David A. Catania, first sailed through the Council with overwhelming support on December 1. Mayor Adrian Fenty has pledged to sign the bill immediately..
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Disappointed in New York Senate Vote Rejecting Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
A Statement from Executive Director Kate Kendell
12.02.09—Today, in a 38-24 vote, the New York State Senate failed to pass a bill which would have extended the right to marry to same-sex couples.
Press Release
National Center for Lesbian Rights Applauds Enactment of California Law to Clarify Rights of Same-Sex Couples Married Outside the State
10.27.09—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) applauds the passage of California’s SB 54, a bill authored by Senator Mark Leno and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009. SB 54 clarifies the rights and responsibilities of same-sex couples who get married outside of California. NCLR worked closely with Equality California and Senator Leno’s office to support the measure throughout the legislative process, from helping to draft the bill’s language, to testifying at committee hearings, to meeting with the Governor’s staff to answer questions about the bill’s effect.
Statement
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter on the California Supreme Court’s Modification of Its Opinion in Prop 8 Challenge
06.19.09—The California Supreme Court has issued a modified version of its opinion in the cases challenging Proposition 8, to correct a factual error pointed out in a petition filed by NCLR and our co-counsel (Lambda Legal, the ACLU, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, and David Codell) and joined by the City and County of San Francisco. The revised opinion clarifies that the racially discriminatory initiative amendment that was challenged on federal constitutional grounds in Mulkey v. Reitman was also challenged, in a companion case, on the alternative ground that it was an unlawful revision to the California constitution (i.e., the same ground upon which we challenged Prop 8). This correction will be helpful to future courts, as the distinction between an amendment and a revision will continue to be an important issue under California law.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Commemorates First Anniversary of California Marriages
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
06.16.09—One year ago today, the iconic civil rights leaders Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin became the first same-sex couple to legally wed in the state of California. On June 16, 2008 at 5:01 pm, the couple, who were together for 55 years, married with the full weight of the California Constitution supporting their life-long commitment at San Francisco City Hall. Six weeks after their wedding, Del Martin passed away on August 27, 2008. More than 18,000 couples married after June 16, 2008.
Statement
LGBT Legal Groups Decry Obama Administration's Defense of DOMA
06.12.09—We are very surprised and deeply disappointed in the manner in which the Obama administration has defended the so-called Defense of Marriage Act against Smelt v. United States, a lawsuit brought in federal court in California by a married same-sex couple asking the federal government to treat them equally with respect to federal protections and benefits. The administration is using many of the same flawed legal arguments that the Bush administration used. These arguments rightly have been rejected by several state supreme courts as legally unsound and obviously discriminatory.
Statement
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter Clarifying the Recent Court Filing in Prop 8 Challenge
06.09.09—NCLR and our co counsel (Lambda Legal, the ACLU, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, and David Codell) filed a petition for rehearing for the limited purpose of asking the court to correct a factual error in the opinion. The document must be titled petition for rehearing because that is the only procedural vehicle for requesting any modification, but we are simply asking the Court to correct a factual error, not to rehear the entire case. The current decision states that the racially discriminatory initiative amendment that was challenged on federal grounds in Mulkey v. Reitman was never challenged on the alternative ground that it was an unlawful amendment (i.e., the same ground upon which we challenged Prop 8). In fact, however, that initiative amendment was challenged on that basis in a companion lawsuit, so we have asked the Court to correct that error. That is important because the distinction between an amendment and a revision will continue to be an important issue under California law, and we do not want future courts to be misled by that factual error.
Statement
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter on the California Supreme Court’s Prop 8 Ruling
05.26.09—Today, in a 6 to 1 decision, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, the ballot measure that eliminated the right of same sex couples to marry. At the same time, the court unanimously ruled that the more than 18,000 marriages that took place between June 16 and November 4, 2008 continue to be fully valid and recognized by the state of California. The decision reaffirmed the Court’s prior holding that sexual orientation is subject to the highest level of protection under the California Constitution.
Statement
Lead Couple in Prop 8 Legal Challenge Release Statement on Court Decision
05.26.09—Today, following the ruling of the California Supreme Court in Strauss v. Horton, the LGBT community’s challenge to Proposition 8 brought by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal and the ACLU, lead petitioners Karen Strauss and Ruth Borenstein released the following statement.
Press Release
Court Upholds Prop 8; State Continues to Recognize 18,000 Marriages
Advocacy Groups Vow to Return to Polls to Restore Marriage for Same-sex Couples
05.26.09—Today, in a 6 to 1 decision, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, the ballot measure that eliminated the right of same sex couples to marry. In the ruling authored by Chief Justice Ronald George, the Court stated “We emphasize only that among the various constitutional protections recognized in the Marriage Cases as available to same-sex couples, it is only the designation of marriage — albeit significant — that has been removed by this initiative measure.” At the same time, the court unanimously ruled that the more than 18,000 marriages that took place between June 16 and November 4, 2008 continue to be fully valid and recognized by the state of California. The decision reaffirmed the Court’s prior holding that sexual orientation is subject to the highest level of protection under the California Constitution.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Applauds Maine Marriage Victory
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
05.06.09—Today, John Baldacci, Governor of Maine, signed a law that ended the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in Maine. The bill sailed through the state’s Senate and House of Representatives with overwhelming support, and made Maine the fifth state to provide full legal equality to same-sex couples.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Hails Vermont Marriage Victory
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
04.07.09—The Vermont legislature today overrode a veto by the governor and passed a bill to eliminate the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage, thereby making Vermont the first state to do so prior to a court decision requiring full marriage equality.
Statement
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Hails Iowa Marriage Victory
A Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter
04.03.09—Today, in a unanimous decision, the Iowa Supreme Court held that the Iowa statute barring same-sex couples from marriage violated the equal protection guarantee of the Iowa Constitution. Lambda Legal represents the plaintiffs in the case. The National Center for Lesbian Rights filed an amicus brief in support of the couples.
read the unanimous decision (pdf)
Press Release
Attorneys Urge California Supreme Court to Invalidate Prop. 8
Case Raises Important Legal Issues Affecting All Minority Groups
03.05.09—Attorneys for same-sex couples, civil rights organizations and the state Attorney General’s office appeared before the California Supreme Court today to urge the court to strike down Proposition 8. At issue in the case is whether the initiative process can be used to take away a fundamental right only for one group of Californians based on a trait in this case sexual orientation that has no relevance to the group’s ability to participate in or contribute to society. Because the case has serious implications for the constitutional rights of all Californians, it has generated unprecedented support from many national and state civil rights groups as well as California legislators, local governments, bar associations, business interests, labor unions, and religious groups.
Press Release
California Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Prop 8 Legal Challenge on March 5
Attorney General, Governor, and nation’s top civil rights groups agree: Invalidate Prop 8
02.03.09—The California Supreme Court announced today that it will hear oral arguments on Thursday, March 5, 2009 in the Proposition 8 legal challenge. The National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU—with support from civil rights groups, religious organizations, labor unions, and legal scholars—argue that Proposition 8 is invalid because the people of California have established strict safeguards that prohibit the underlying principles of the California Constitution from being changed by a simple majority vote. By taking away a right only from one group, Proposition 8 violates the most basic principle of our government: that all people are entitled to equal treatment under the law.
Press Release
Briefing Concludes in Prop 8 Legal Challenge
Nation’s top civil rights groups and legal scholars agree: Invalidate Prop 8
1.21.09—In the last round of an expedited briefing schedule, final briefs were filed today by both petitioners and respondents in the lawsuits challenging Proposition 8. The briefs filed today by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU responded to the more than 60 amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” briefs filed in the case last week.
Press Release
Religious and Civil Rights Groups, Legislators, Bar Associations, Labor, Businesses, and Legal Scholars Urge Court to Overturn Prop 8
Google, California Council of Churches, California NAACP, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, and California Rural Legal Assistance among groups submitting friend-of-the-court
01.15.09—Today, hundreds of religious organizations, civil rights groups, and labor unions, along with numerous California municipal governments, bar associations, and leading legal scholars collectively urged the California Supreme Court to strike down Proposition 8. Dozens of amicus curiae or “friend of the court” briefs argue that Proposition 8 drastically alters the equal protection guarantee in California’s Constitution, and that the rights of a minority cannot be eliminated by a simple majority vote.
click here for an updated list of Prop 8 Legal Challenge Amici (pdf)
Press Release
Civil Rights Groups File Amicus Brief Urging California Supreme Court to Invalidate Proposition 8
Brief filed in response to Court’s invitation after it deferred action on Nov. petition
01.15.09—Civil rights groups today filed an amicus brief with the California Supreme Court to invalidate Proposition 8 because it would mandate discrimination against a minority group and did not follow the process required for fundamental revisions to the California Constitution.
Press Release
Religious Leaders, Faith Organizations to Court: Invalidate Prop 8
1.14.09—Today, the California Council of Churches and other religious leaders and faith organizations representing millions of members filed an amicus curiae brief with the California Supreme Court urging the Court to invalidate Proposition 8. The brief argues that Proposition 8 poses a severe threat to the guarantee of equal protection for all and was not enacted through the constitutionally required process for such a dramatic change to the California Constitution.
Press Release
Prominent California and National Women’s Rights Organizations Ask State Supreme Court to Say No to Prop. 8
Women’s Groups Warn Against Consequences of Putting Equality Up to a Public Vote
1.14.09—Several leading local, state and national women’s rights organizations have submitted an amicus curiae—or friend of the court—brief to the California Supreme Court, asking the Court to invalidate Proposition 8 because of its disastrous implications for women and other groups that face discrimination. The organizations joining the brief—filed in support of the petitioners in Strauss et al. v. Horton et al. (#S168047)—will include Equal Rights Advocates, the California Women’s Law Center, Women Lawyers of Santa Cruz County, Lawyers Club of San Diego, Legal Momentum, and the National Association of Women Lawyers.
Statement
California’s Unions Urge State Supreme Court to Overturn Prop 8
1.13.09—A coalition of more than 50 California labor organizations, including United Healthcare Workers (UHW) and the California Labor Federation, will file an amicus brief on Friday in support of the three lawsuits now challenging Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot initiative that added a same-sex marriage ban to the California state constitution. The labor organizations represent more than two million working men and women in California.
A message from Shannon Minter:
“This is a very significant brief from California’s labor unions,” said Shannon Price Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). “These unions represent more than 2 million working men and women in California. They have many members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, and they support the rights of all their members to be treated fairly and equally under the California Constitution.”
click here to read the brief filed by California's unions (pdf)
Press Release
New Filing in Prop 8 Legal Challenge
Reply brief reiterates that Prop 8 should be struck down
01.05.09—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Lambda Legal filed a reply brief in the California Supreme Court, the next step in the lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 8, which passed by a mere 52 percent on November 4.
Press Release
California Supreme Court Grants Review in Prop 8 Legal Challenges
Court to determine constitutionality of Prop 8
11.19.08—Today the California Supreme Court granted review in the legal challenges to Proposition 8, which passed by a narrow margin of 52 percent on November 4. In an order issued today, the Court agreed to hear the case and set an expedited briefing schedule. The Court also denied an immediate stay.
Statement
Letter to the Community
11.14.08—Dear Community,
We are on the cusp of a new era as our country has elected its first African-American president, Barack Obama. We hope this unprecedented event will usher in a new chapter in our nation’s history.
Press Release
NO on Prop 8 Campaign Leaders Call on Community to Stand Together
11.07.08—Top leaders from the NO on Prop 8 campaign today issued the following statement urging leaders in the community to stand together following the passage of Prop 8.
Press Release
Proposition 8 Vote Disappointing, Shows Great 8-Year Progress
California Voters Have Moved Significantly on Issue of Equality, NO on Prop 8 Campaign was Historic, Broad Coalition Effort Across State
11.06.08—NO on Prop 8 campaign leaders today expressed deep disappointment with the passage of Proposition 8, which takes away the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. Although final ballots still continue to be counted during the next 30 days, campaign leaders do not believe those votes will be enough to overcome the small deficit of no votes needed to prevent Prop 8 from passing.
Press Release
California Will Continue to Honor Marriages of Same-Sex Couples Who Married Before the Possible Passage of Prop 8
Initiative Would Only Apply to Future Marriages
11.05.08—The California Attorney General, Equality California, and the nation’s leading LGBT legal groups agree that the marriages of the estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who married between June 16, 2008 and the possible passage of Proposition 8 are still valid in the state of California and must continue to be honored by the state.
Press Release
Legal Groups File Lawsuit Challenging Proposition 8, Should It Pass
Legal Papers Claim Initiative Procedure Cannot Be Used
To Undermine the Constitution’s Core Commitment To Equality For Everyone
11.05.08—The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed a writ petition before the California Supreme Court today urging the court to invalidate Proposition 8 if it passes. The petition charges that Proposition 8 is invalid because the initiative process was improperly used in an attempt to undo the constitution’s core commitment to equality for everyone by eliminating a fundamental right from just one group lesbian and gay Californians. Proposition 8 also improperly attempts to prevent the courts from exercising their essential constitutional role of protecting the equal protection rights of minorities. According to the California Constitution, such radical changes to the organizing principles of state government cannot be made by simple majority vote through the initiative process, but instead must, at a minimum, go through the state legislature first.
Press Release
NO on 8 Campaign Applauds Connecticut Marriage Decision
10.10.08—Connecticut today confirmed the right to marry for same-sex couples. Preventing same-sex couples from marrying was found to violate the state constitution.
Press Release
National Center for Lesbian Rights Legal Director Shannon Minter Recipient of 2008 Dan Bradley Award
National Gay and Lesbian Bar Association honors Minter and Therese Stewart for outstanding work in marriage cases
08.12.08—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced that Legal Director Shannon Price Minter and San Francisco Chief Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart are the recipients of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA) 2008 Dan Bradley Award. Minter and Stewart will be recognized for their remarkable achievements in the fight for marriage equality as well as for years of prior advocacy on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. They will be honored at the Lavender Law conference in San Francisco on Thursday, September 4, 2008.
Press Release
National Center for Lesbian Rights Launches New Political Action Committee to Defeat Prop 8
07.29.08—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced the launch of a new political action committee (PAC) to defeat Proposition 8, the marriage ban appearing on California’s November ballot. Through the No on 8 / NCLR Social Justice Fund, NCLR pledges to contribute significant dollars to the campaign to defeat Proposition 8.
Press Release
PG&E Announces $250,000 Contribution to Fight Prop. 8
Company encourages other businesses to join Business Council to protect freedom to marry for all Californians
07.29.08—NO on 8-Equality California today received a significant contribution of $250,000 from Pacific Gas and Electric Company to help secure the freedom to marry for all Californians. PG&E is partnering with Equality California and the NO on 8 campaign to defeat Proposition 8, the November statewide ballot initiative that aims to treat same-gender couples differently by excluding them from marriage. PG&E’s contribution is the largest corporate and only utility-made donation received by the NO on 8 campaign.
Statement
CA Supreme Court Rules on Bennett v. Bowen
07.16.08—Today, the California Supreme Court issued an order in Bennett v. Bowen, S164520, denying a petition to remove Proposition 8, the proposed marriage ban, from the November ballot.
Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the American Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement:
“We’re disappointed, but this ruling does not affect the campaign against Prop. 8 in any way. We have been focused on continuing with the election and moving forward, talking to voters and working in the precincts—asking Californians to Vote No on 8. Californians do not want their Constitution to single out people to be treated differently. We are confident they will vote NO in November to make sure everyone is treated equally under the law.”
Press Release
Brief Filed on Initiative Procedure
06.20.08—Three California voters and four organizations dedicated to protecting the civil rights of gay and lesbian people filed a lawsuit in the California Supreme Court today about an initiative that seeks to change the California Constitution to bar gay and lesbian couples from marriage. That initiative is currently slated to appear on the November ballot. The lawsuit argues that the rules for revising the California Constitution were not properly followed.
Press Release
The National Center for Lesbian Rights Congratulates First Married Lesbian Couple in California
Iconic leaders Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin honored on their wedding day for five decades of historic leadership
06.13.08—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights congratulates iconic lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights leaders Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin on their upcoming marriage. The legendary couple, who have been together for 55 years and were the first to wed in February 2004, will marry with the full weight of the California Constitution supporting their loving commitment at San Francisco City Hall on Monday, June 16 at 5:01 p.m. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will officiate.
Statement
Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Price Minter on Motion for Stay
06.12.08—The petition filed by the Campaign is frivolous and will have no effect. The California Supreme Court held that gay and lesbian couples have a fundamental right to marry and denied the Campaign’s petition for a stay. The court of appeal is bound by the California Supreme Court’s ruling and does not have authority to stay the decision. This is a non-event, and we are delighted that loving, committed gay and lesbian couples and their families will be celebrating marriages in California next week.
Statement
LGBT Organizations Urge Couples Marrying in California to “Make Change, Not Lawsuits”
06.10.08—Four LGBT legal organizations and five other leading national LGBT groups have issued a statement entitled “Make Change, Not Lawsuits.” The statement explains that while couples who go to California to marry should ask friends, neighbors and institutions to honor their marriages, they generally shouldn’t sue. The statement says that ill-timed lawsuits are likely to set the fight for marriage back, and that there are other ways to fight which are more likely to win.
Statement
Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Price Minter on California Supreme Court Denial of Rehearing and Stay in Marriage Cases
06.04.08—Shannon Price Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, who argued the marriage case before the California Supreme Court, issued the following response to today’s news that the California Supreme Court denied requests to stay its decision in In re Marriage Cases.
Press Release
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
05.28.08—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.
Statement
Statement from NCLR on Petition for Rehearing
05.23.08—On May 22, anti-gay groups filed a Petition for Rehearing in the California Supreme Court asking the Court to stay its historic ruling on May 15 striking down laws that had prohibited lesbian and gay couples from marrying based on the possibility that voters may enact an anti-marriage amendment to the California Constitution in November. We believe this Petition will be denied and there will be no stay ordered by the Court. However, simply as a matter of routine process, it is possible the court may grant a 30 day extension to consider the petition, which possibly may temporarily delay the date on which couples can begin marrying. We will keep you advised.
Press Release
Lesbian and Gay Couples Win Freedom to Marry in California
California Supreme Court Issues Historic Ruling
05.15.08—The California Supreme Court ruled today that the state can no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage. In a 4-3 decision, drafted by Chief Justice Ronald George, the court ruled: “In light of the fundamental nature of the substantive rights embodied in the right to marry — and their central importance to an individual’s opportunity to live a happy, meaningful, and satisfying life as a full member of society — the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all individuals and couples, without regard to their sexual orientation.”
Statement
Statement on Mildred Loving's Death
By Shannon Price Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
05.05.08—As an American and an attorney representing same-sex couples seeking the freedom to marry, I join millions of others around the world in mourning the death of Mrs. Mildred Loving.
Press Release
Same-sex Couples Ask California Supreme Court to Strike Down Marriage Ban California Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments
on March 4
03.04.08—Attorneys for same-sex couples presented arguments to the California Supreme Court today in a historic lawsuit seeking to strike down a state law that bars lesbians and gay men from marriage.
click here to read the press release in Chinese (pdf)
haga click aquí para leer el comunicado de prensa en Español
Press Release
Lawyers for City, Couples to Hold Pre-Hearing Press Conference on Marriage Cases
02.29.08—A press conference will be held immediately prior to Tuesday’s oral arguments in the California Supreme Court on challenges by the City and same-sex couples to the constitutionality of state laws that discriminate against same-sex couples in marriage.
click here to read the media advisory in Chinese (pdf)
haga click aquí para leer el comunicado de prensa en Español
Press Release
California Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Marriage Case on
March 4
Couples, Lawyers to Hold Post-Hearing Press Conference
02.29.08—The California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in In re Marriage Cases, which challenges the constitutionality of state laws that discriminate against same-sex couples in marriage.
click here to read the media advisory in Chinese (pdf)
haga click aquí para leer el comunicado de prensa en Español
Statement
ACTION ALERT: Equality for All Launches Campaign to Stop Ballot Measure That Would Exclude LGBT Couples From Marriage For Generations
02.20.08 — Dear NCLR Supporters, If you've ever wanted to get involved in the fight for marriage equality, this is your chance! The National Center for Lesbian Rights is working in partnership with the Equality for All campaign and we need your help! Well-funded anti-LGBT organizations are paying people to gather signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the California November 2008 ballot that would prohibit marriage for same-sex couples.
Press Release
California High Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Historic Marriage Case on March 4
Same-sex Couples Ask California Supreme Court to Strike Down Marriage Ban
02.06.08 — The California Supreme Court announced today that it will hear oral arguments on March 4 in the marriage cases challenging the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.
Press Release
Signature Gathering Has Begun to Place Discriminatory Marriage Measure on California's November 2008 Ballot
02.01.08 — After failing multiple times to qualify an anti-marriage equality measure for the ballot, conservative organizations are now utilizing paid signature gatherers in another attempt to put this discriminatory constitutional amendment on the November 2008 ballot according to Equality for All, the statewide campaign to defeat such measures. In 2006, California became the first state where an effort to qualify such a discriminatory amendment failed.
Press Release
Religious, Civil Rights, and Child Advocacy Groups Support Same-sex Couples in Legal Battle to Marry
California NAACP, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, California Council of Churches, and California District of the American Academy of Pediatrics Are Among Groups Submitting Friend-of-the-Court Briefs in Landmark California Supreme Court Case
09.26.07 — In 30 amicus briefs submitted today to the California Supreme Court, scores of religious, civil rights, and child advocacy organizations, along with numerous California municipal governments, bar associations, and leading legal scholars, urged the court to put an end to state laws that deny same-sex couples the protections of marriage.
breaking news | in the press center
Statement
Court of Appeals Rules Against Christian Legal Society, Denies Request to Reopen Challenge to University’s Non-discrimination Policy
A statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter, Esq.
11.17.10—Today the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied the Christian Legal Society’s request to present additional evidence in Christian Legal Society v. Wu, a case challenging a California law school’s policy that student groups may not discriminate based on sexual orientation, religion, or other bases.