by HRC Staff •
'The judge's decision is clear: there's no rational reason for denying marriage and the promise of equality to same-sex couples,' said HRC's Seth Kilbourn.
WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign praised today's decision by a California Superior Court judge ruling that same-sex couples can no longer be denied marriage and the rights and protections of marriage under state law.
"The judge's decision is clear: there's no rational reason for denying marriage and the promise of equality to same-sex couples," said Vice President for HRC's Marriage Project Seth Kilbourn. "Hard-working, tax-paying Californians are now one step closer to equal rights under law, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. We laud the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda, the ACLU and the plaintiffs in this case for bringing their stories forward and securing this important victory for equality."
According to The Associated Press, Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer ruled today that California can no longer justify limiting marriage to a man and a woman. Judge Kramer was appointed by Republican Gov. Pete Wilson. The case will now likely go to an appeals court.
"Today we are one giant step closer to true equality for all California families," said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of Equality California. The group is a plaintiff in the case. "The court recognized that the government has no business putting obstacles in the path of people who are seeking to care for their loved ones. Today's ruling affirms that lesbian and gay couples have the same need for the legal protections of marriage, and the same right to equal protection and dignity under the law."
In the decision, Kramer wrote, "The idea that marriage-like rights without marriage is adequate smacks of a concept long ago rejected by the courts: separate but equal."
"This decision acknowledges the inequality in creating separate systems for the same rights," added Kilbourn. "We look forward to the day that every loving and committed couple is treated equally under law."
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