Statement by Washington United for Marriage on Prop 8 Ruling
Published on Wed, Feb 8, 2012 by Zach Silk | Washington United for MarriageRead More County & State
OLYMPIA – Washington United for Marriage, a broad statewide coalition of organizations, congregations, unions and business associations that will work to obtain civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples in Washington State in 2012, today cheered the ruling of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case of Perry v Brown – the challenge to the constitutionality of Proposition 8 in California that banned same-sex couples from marrying.
“Today was a great day for same-sex couples in California,” said Zach Silk, Campaign Manager for Washington United for Marriage. “With the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruling that Proposition 8 in California is indeed unconstitutional, it gives hope to hundreds of thousands of loving lesbian and gay couples in the country. While the decision was narrowly construed and would only apply to California families, it is a victory nonetheless. It will no doubt help provide additional momentum for our efforts to win and defend marriage equality in Washington State.”
The court agreed with the trial court judge that Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution by denying gays and lesbians equal protection of the laws. The decision was narrowly focused on the specific circumstances of California, where marriage was available to same-sex couples and then stripped away by the adoption of Proposition 8. The Ninth Circuit has stayed its decision temporarily, and is likely to extend that stay pending appeal. As a result, gay and lesbian couples will not be able to marry in California at this time.
Washington United for Marriage is a coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and business associations working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples. To find more information and learn how you can help, visit WashingtonUnitedForMarriage.org. Engage with Washington United for Marriage on social media at Twitter.com/WA4Marriage and at Facebook.com/WashingtonUnited.
“Today was a great day for same-sex couples in California,” said Zach Silk, Campaign Manager for Washington United for Marriage. “With the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruling that Proposition 8 in California is indeed unconstitutional, it gives hope to hundreds of thousands of loving lesbian and gay couples in the country. While the decision was narrowly construed and would only apply to California families, it is a victory nonetheless. It will no doubt help provide additional momentum for our efforts to win and defend marriage equality in Washington State.”
The court agreed with the trial court judge that Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution by denying gays and lesbians equal protection of the laws. The decision was narrowly focused on the specific circumstances of California, where marriage was available to same-sex couples and then stripped away by the adoption of Proposition 8. The Ninth Circuit has stayed its decision temporarily, and is likely to extend that stay pending appeal. As a result, gay and lesbian couples will not be able to marry in California at this time.
Washington United for Marriage is a coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and business associations working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples. To find more information and learn how you can help, visit WashingtonUnitedForMarriage.org. Engage with Washington United for Marriage on social media at Twitter.com/WA4Marriage and at Facebook.com/WashingtonUnited.
