FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 4, 2008

Statement from NCLR Legal Director Shannon Price Minter on California Supreme Court Denial of Rehearing and Stay in Marriage Cases

(San Francisco, CA, May 23, 2008)—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:

“The Court's denial of the petitions for rehearing today means that the Court's decision will be final on June 16. Lesbian and gay couples in California will be able to marry on an equal basis starting on June 17. We are grateful to the Court for ruling on the petitions so quickly and for allowing its historic victory for fairness and opportunity to go into effect without further delay.”

He added:

“Every day, public support for the freedom to marry is growing. All Californians will benefit from this landmark day for our state.”