Lambda Legal Marks Anniversary of Marriage in California

(Los Angeles, June 16, 2009) ­­­­— One year ago today marks the first day same-sex couples were able to marry in California. Lambda Legal Marriage Project Director Jennifer C. Pizer issued the following statement:

"In this year that saw more than 18,000 couples wed in California and marriage laws change in four additional states, the movement for marriage equality has had moments of profound joy as well as heartbreak.

"In California starting one year ago today, loving, committed same-sex couples by the thousands began to exercise their right to be treated equally by their government. Family and friends shared their joy, cried during their vows, and were changed for the better.

"Paper is the traditional first anniversary gift, but unhappily, there now are three obvious examples not worth giving --the California Constitution, torn asunder by Prop 8's antigay exception; the California Supreme Court's decision that wrongly allowed a voter initiative to take a hole-punch to the equality guarantees that should shield everyone; and the brief filed last Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in defense of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which presses many of the same nonsensical and constitutionally bankrupt arguments found in the playbook of the far right wing. This is not the informed, responsible analysis we expect from a president who promised to be a 'fierce advocate' for our equality.

"Lambda Legal calls on President Obama to repudiate the approach taken in the DOJ legal brief, to honor now his campaign pledge to advocate forcefully for congressional repeal of DOMA, and to initiate an immediate audit of federal regulations and policy and make prompt revisions to those that discriminate against same-sex couples.

"Prop 8's passage was a wake up call for millions nationally. Today we are working with more allies than ever as our community prepares to restore marriage equality in California through the ballot box so that all same-sex couples can have the same right to celebrate their love as their neighbors, friends, and family."

Jennifer C. Pizer is Director of Lambda Legal’s Marriage Project and co-counsel in the cases that established same-sex couples' right to marry in California and challenged Proposition 8.

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