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marriage equality
Press Release
NCLR Responds to Washington Gov. Signing Marriage Rights Law
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 13, 2012)—Today, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill that makes the state the tenth jurisdiction in the country in which same-sex couples can marry. Washington joins six other states, Washington D.C., and two tribal nations that no longer discriminate against same-sex couples in marriage. The law goes into effect June 7, 2012. Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq.: “We are a...Press Release
NCLR Responds to New Jersey Marriage Equality Vote
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 16, 2012)—Today, the New Jersey State Assembly passed a bill establishing full marriage rights for same-sex couples. The New Jersey State Senate passed a companion bill on February 13, 2012. If Gov. Chris Christie signs the bill into law, New Jersey will become the 11th jurisdiction in the country in which same-sex couples can marry. If the bill is signed, New Jersey will join seven other states, Washington...Blog
NCLR Analysis: Ninth Circuit Decision Keeps the Focus on California
In a long-awaited decision, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that stripped the right to marry from same-sex couples in California, is unconstitutional. Judge Stephen R. Reinhardt authored the majority decision, which was joined by Judge Michael Daly Hawkins. The third judge, N. Randy Smith, dissented. The majority affirmed the August 2010 ruling by retired United States District Judge Vaughn R. Walker—but on a...Press Release
NCLR Applauds Appeals Court Decision in Federal Challenge to Proposition 8
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 7, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the August 2010 decision of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco striking down Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The Court affirmed the ruling of former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker that Prop 8 discriminates against same-sex couples in violation of the Equal Protection...Press Release
NCLR Responds to Ninth Circuit Decision Blocking Release of the Historic Prop 8 Trial Video and Overturning District Court Order
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 2, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the public release of the video of the historic trial to overturn Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The court overturned a federal district court decision ordering the release of the video. Since suffering a devastating loss at the 2010 trial, Prop 8 supporters have tried to block the...Blog
In Annapolis Today, Where Governor O’Malley’s Marriage Bill Is Being Heard
By Liz Seaton NCLR State Policy Director I head over to Annapolis, MD today to testify in favor of marriage equality in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. A little history and perspective on Maryland, where I live, and our struggle here for the freedom marry. I first testified in favor of a marriage equality bill in the Maryland State House in 1999, when progressive state legislators introduced a proactive marriage bill to counter a proposed state DOMA bill. With losses on DOMAs in so...Blog
In Maryland, Lies Will Not Stop Passage of Laws To Protect Transgender People
By Liz Seaton NCLR State Policy Director All of us who have worked long and hard for equality under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people know how strangely eager some people are to twist and distort the truth about us and our lives. Their ultimate goal? To dissuade public officials from passing laws to end discrimination. I won’t even dignify the ugliest things they say by repeating them, but you know what I am talking about. Our opponents also make sweeping claims about...Blog
NCLR Analysis: Got Married in Canada? Don’t Panic, But Protect Your Relationship
Yesterday, the thousands of American same-sex couples who have married in Canada since 2003 woke up to some shocking news: The Canadian government had decided that all marriages of non-Canadian same-sex couples were invalid. As details have emerged, it’s become clear that the reality is far less dramatic than early reports made it out to be. First, let’s put to rest some misconceptions about what happened. Contrary to what some news reports have said, the Canadian government did not...Press Release