The Center for American Progress applauds U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker’s decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger today to overturn California’s Proposition 8. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled 4 to 3 that gays and lesbians were entitled to marry under the state Constitution. Six months later, voters passed Proposition 8, which amended the state’s Constitution to ban marriage for gay couples.
John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress, said, “Judge Walker’s decision reaffirms the Constitution’s command that all Americans must receive ‘equal protection of the laws.’ Prop 8 is incompatible with our Constitution and a long line of precedent rejecting laws that single out a certain class of Americans for disfavored legal status. Today’s decision does nothing more than restore the Constitution’s promise to millions of American couples. Because Constitutional precedent so clearly rejects Prop 8, I have every confidence that this decision will be upheld on appeal.”
Jeff Krehely, Director of LGBT Research and Communications at CAP said, “Today’s ruling is a huge step forward in the movement to achieve full equality for LGBT Americans. The public increasingly supports fairness and equal rights for all, including allowing gay couples to marry. Although this ruling does not end the larger marriage debate, it is a clear indication that opponents to LGBT equality are fighting a losing war.”
Podesta is co-chair of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, along with Robert Levy, chairman of the Cato Institute. The foundation helped launch Perry v. Schwarzenegger earlier this year. The foundation’s legal team is led by Theodore Olson and David Boies.
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