FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 2, 2005

NCLR Disappointed by California State Assembly Vote on Marriage Equality

"For almost 30 years, the National Center for Lesbian Rights has worked to ensure equality for every family under the law. We have witnessed changes small and large as Americans around the country have grown to know and respect LGBT families. Today, we are disappointed that the California Assembly has
narrowly rejected a historic opportunity to embrace
true equality for all California families, without
limitations."

(San Francisco, CA, June 2, 2005) — On Thursday, June 2, 2005, the California State Assembly voted to reject AB 19, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. Despite this loss, however, today's vote was historic, marking the first time a state legislative body in this country ever has voted on a bill that would grant same-sex couples an equal right to marry.

Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights released the following statement:

Today is a disappointing day for California and the nation. The California Assembly has narrowly defeated efforts to insure equality and fairness for every California family by failing to approve AB 19 by less than a handful of votes.

For almost 30 years, the National Center for Lesbian Rights has worked to insure equality for every family under the law. We have witnessed changes small and large as Americans around the country have grown to know and respect LGBT families. Today, we are disappointed that the California Assembly has narrowly rejected an historic opportunity to embrace true equality for all California families, without limitations.

Today's vote is only the first step. We will come back to the California State Assembly, State Senate and Governor Schwarzenegger to fulfill our state constitution's promise of equality. We are grateful to Assembly member Mark Leno, Speaker Fabian Nunez and to California's statewide LGBT advocacy organization, Equality California for their bold leadership. And as always, we are grateful to the countless numbers of LGBT families who have shared their stories with their relatives, their friends, their neighbors and their co-workers.