Washington, D.C. — Today’s decision from the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Perry v. Brown reaffirmed that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. The Center for American Progress released the following statement from John Podesta, Chair and Counselor of the Center for American Progress:
Today’s decision reaffirms that singling out a certain class of Americans for disfavored legal status violates the U.S. Constitution. With state legislatures in Maryland, Washington, and New Jersey currently debating marriage for gay couples, this ruling comes at a critical time. As Americans, we are constantly searching for a more perfect union where equality and fairness triumph over inequality and discrimination, and in that spirit we celebrate in the 9th Circuit’s decision today.
This decision follows U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker’s August 2010 ruling that prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Mr. Podesta is co-chair of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, along with Robert Levy, chairman of the Cato Institute. The foundation helped launch the Perry case in 2009. The foundation’s legal team is led by Theodore Olson and David Boies.
To speak with CAP experts, please contact Christina DiPasquale at 202.481.8181 or [email protected].
###