FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | March 12, 2001

Press statement of Kate Kendell, Esq., Executive Director

Smith v. Noel and Knoller, et. al.

(San Francisco, CA, March 12, 2001) — It is heartbreakingly clear that the relationship between Sharon and Diane was a marriage. It is clear that Sharon was a spouse and is now, due to the deplorable recklessness of the defendants, a widow. The issue of whether someone in Sharon's position can bring a wrongful death suit has never been addressed by a California court. We are confident that the answer in this case will be yes. The time has passed when lesbian and gay people will accept being treated as anything less than fully human. The time has passed when the law could deny the dignity of our relationships. The law must acknowledge the obvious. This case is about nothing more and nothing less than the recognition of our common humanity.