Local Reaction to Prop. 8 Being Overturned

Paula Pilecki, executive director of  the Spectrum LGBT Center in San Rafael, said she is pleased that U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker upheld the right of equality for same-sex couples under the U.S. Constitution,. 

"The ruling reflects the growing consensus in courtrooms and legislatures across the country, and around the world, that there is no good reason to exclude same-sex couples from marriage," Pilecki said. "Marriage equality opponents built their case on discriminatory, fear-mongering arguments, and have tried over and over again to frame same-sex marriage as detrimental to our society.  Judge Walker ruled that there is no substance to these or any other arguments from those who wish to deny equality to same-sex couples."

Even as this decision is a victory for same-sex couples in California, Pilecki said, 44 states continue to deny same-sex couples the freedom to marry, and federal marriage discrimination persists.  

"We must continue to work toward eliminating the unfairness of both state and federal laws that prohibit same-sex couples from marrying," Pilecki said. "Today's ruling by Judge Walker powerfully confirms the growing consensus that same-sex couples deserve basic fairness."

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