June 26, 2013
Contact: Ray Sullivan
4017813594
DOWN GOES DOMA!
PROVIDENCE - Rhode Islanders United Campaign Director Ray Sullivan released the following statement today following the United State's Supreme Court's decision regarding the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8.
"This is a tremendous victory for all loving, committed couples and their families. Today's decision by the Supreme Court is a resounding affirmation of the truly American ideals of equal protection and justice under the law. Furthermore, The Court declared that all married couples, regardless of gender or orientation, deserve equal respect and recognition.
The so-called Defense of Marriage Act created a unique "gay exemption" in federal law - one that caused pain, confusion and financial harm to couples all across the country.
With Rhode Island's recent passage of marriage equality and today's historic decision, hundreds of Rhode Island couples are now able to better protect one another and their children. We look forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of the Ocean State's LGBTQ community and working to advance the cause of equal and fair treatment for all Rhode Island citizens.
The ruling on California's Proposition 8 is also a tremendous win. In dismissing the Perry case, The Court recognized that advocates of denying the freedom to marry to all loving, committed couples lacked the standing to appeal a lower court's ruling that found Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional. As a result, the lower court's ruling stands and California's marriage equality statute will be restored.
While this has certainly been an unprecedented year of progress for Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota and now, California, it also important to recognize that 37 states still treat gay and lesbian couples as second-class citizens. As President Obama said in his last inaugural address: 'Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal, as well.'"
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