FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 12, 2010

Judge Walker Rules Marriages Can Begin Aug. 18 Unless Court of Appeals Intervenes

A statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell

(San Francisco, CA, August 12, 2010)—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.

A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell:

“It is clear that there is no basis for a stay of Judge Walker’s ruling striking down Prop 8. We hope that the Ninth Circuit will agree that no stay is warranted and will allow marriages to resume. The chance for same-sex couples to marry again is not only fair and just, but an affirmation of love and basic humanity.”

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
www.nclrights.org.

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