FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 7, 2007

The National Center for Lesbian Rights Applauds California Senate for Passing Historic Marriage Bill

A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq.

(San Francisco, CA, September 7, 2007) — Today, in a 22-15 vote, the California Senate passed AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, authored by Mark Leno (D San Francisco) and sponsored by Equality California. This is the second time in two years the California Legislature passed the historic bill. The bill will now be considered by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who vetoed the previous bill in 2005.

“It is once again a historic and watershed moment for LGBT Californians, and for all California citizens committed to justice and fairness,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. “Today’s vote by the California Senate is by an even greater margin than two years ago, and makes clear that the landscape is shifting. Californians and our elected officials are committed to assuring that the promise of equality expressed in the California Constitution is truly applied to all.”