May 26, 2009 6:52 pm US/Pacific
Mayor, Governor, Activists Respond To Calif. Court
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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Same-sex marriage demonstrators in front of San Francisco City Hall as the California Supreme Court ruled to uphold a voter-approved ban on same-sex unions, Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
AP
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Here, reaction to Tuesday's ruling from the California Supreme Court upholding the ban on gay marriage.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: "While I believe that one day either the people or courts will recognize gay marriage, as governor of California I will uphold the decision of the California Supreme Court. Regarding the 18,000 marriages that took place prior to Proposition 8's passage, the court made the right decision in keeping them intact. I also want to encourage all those responding to today's court decision to do so peacefully and lawfully."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.: "I know today's decision is a tremendous disappointment for many people. But I also know that the opinions of Californians are changing on this issue, and I believe that equal marriage rights will one day be the law in this state. This is already the case in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. So, I believe this issue will come before the voters again, and I am very hopeful that the result will be different next time."
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles: "Today is a setback for equality in California, but it will not be the end of the story. When marriage equality legislation was first introduced in the Legislature it couldn't get out of committee. Since then we've passed marriage equality bills twice and more than 60 legislators signed the amicus brief last November trying to overturn the inequities in Proposition 8. The people of California and the tide of history are clearly moving toward equality. While everyone who believes in equal treatment under the law is disappointed by the court's decision today, we should all take pride in the fact that truth and time are on our side. My colleagues in the Assembly will continue to work to promote equality for all Californians in any way that we can."
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: "We're going into every neighborhood, every city. We're going into every institution to have this conversation about the right of my first cousin John to have a family. The right of men and women who only want one thing -- the right to love, the right to a family -- something so basic to all of us."
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi: "Today we lost an important battle, but on this disappointing day, it's worth remembering that the final outcome of this struggle has already been determined. Time is on our side, and Californians will one day soon repeal Proposition 8. Patti and I have been married for 43 years, and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the LGBT community and their allies as they work to convince the electorate that all Californians, regardless of sexual orientation, deserve access to marriage and equality. While we will always face roadblocks, our society journeys down a path of increased equality under the law."
Gloria Allred, attorney for plaintiffs Diane Olson, Robin Tyler, Cathy
Refaely and Cheri Schroeder: "In the same way that marriage is for better or for worse, some decisions of our Supreme Court are better, but this one is for the worse. We are disheartened, dismayed and shocked that the California Supreme Court validated the constitutionality of Prop 8, permitting a majority of the electorate to deprive and deny what our same Supreme Court just 12 months ago determined was a fundamental constitutional right to marry for all otherwise eligible adults in California regardless of sexual orientation."
Andrew Pugno, attorney for ProtectMarriage.com: "This is the culmination of years of hard work to preserve marriage in California. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers worked diligently to uphold the institution of marriage. Twice, voters have decided the marriage in California
should be only between a man and a woman. We are extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has acknowledged the right of voters to define marriage in the California Constitution. The voters have decided this issue and their views should be respected."
Lorri L. Jean, chief executive officer of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center: "Today, our Supreme Court sent a mixed and troubling message. While upholding the legal marriages of the 18,000 same-sex couples who married in California, the ruling establishes that all Californians are not entitled to equal protection of the law. This is a sad day for our state and a setback for the cause of freedom and fairness. But it's also important to keep this in perspective. Every noble struggle known to man or woman has been filled with losses -- temporary defeats that people had to endure and overcome. We must pick ourselves up and move forward, knowing that justice ultimately will prevail and the right to marry will one day be ours forever."
Chaz Lowe, co-founder of the Yes! on Equality coalition: "The Yes! on Equality coalition is dismayed by today's Supreme Court ruling, but we remain optimistic that all Californians will soon enjoy equal marriage rights. The tide on marriage equality is turning nationally, and Yes! on Equality is eager to lead the fight for equality in California in 2010. Yes! on Equality is currently in the process of gathering signatures to qualify the California Marriage Equality Act, an amendment to repeal the state's unjust marriage provisions, for the 2010 ballot. Despite the outcome of Proposition 8, Paige Cabral, co-founder of Yes! On Equality, is optimistic that Californians will vote in favor of marriage equality once the issue of same sex marriage is
stripped of the misinformation that was spread by the Yes on Prop 8 campaign."
Rabbi Denise L. Eger of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood: "Civil rights should be determined by law not religious doctrine. When courts allow the government to affirm one religious view over another, all religious beliefs are in jeopardy. We respect the beliefs of those people whose faith teaches marriage is between a man and a woman, and we respect their rights to practice those beliefs within their religious institutions. However, our faith teaches marriage is open to gay and lesbian couples. Where is the respect for our beliefs, and if our faith can be trampled by the government, whose beliefs can be trampled next?"
Steve Poizner, state insurance commissioner and Republican gubernatorial candidate: "The California Supreme Court took the appropriate action today in upholding the will of the people by affirming Proposition 8. The people of California have spoken. They voted decisively that marriage should remain between a man and a woman. That is also my personal view."
Meg Whitman, Republican gubernatorial candidate: "I believe the California State Supreme Court made the right decision. Last November, the people of California passed Proposition 8, and today the court upheld their decision. This simple yet powerful fact is the foundation of our democracy. Regardless of one's position on the measure, this ruling gives people confidence that their vote matters and can make a difference."
John Burton, chairman of the California Democratic Party: "Today's decision, while heartbreaking, doesn't end the historic struggle for marriage equality. It renews our dedication to making sure all California families can again enjoy the dignity, commitment and responsibility of marriage. I commend the California Supreme Court for validating the rights of the 18,000 lesbian and gay couples who married last year before Proposition 8 passed. These couples and their children will continue to enjoy the full security and legal protection of marriage."
Anti-Defamation League statement: "We are disappointed by the court's determination that the passage of Proposition 8 represents an amendment rather than a revision to the California Constitution. The court's ruling sets a dangerous precedent. As we argued in our amicus brief, `If the fundamental rights of gays and lesbians can be ìstripped away by a mere 52 percent majority, then future amendments will enable Californians to strip away fundamental rights from other disfavored groups."'
Rick Jacobs, founder and chairman of the Courage Campaign: "These are fundamental constitutional rights that cannot be abolished by a ballot initiative. While we were hoping the court would rule in favor of equality, we have been building the infrastructure to win marriage equality rights at the ballot box. Our members are ready to do the hard work needed to win."
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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