California Marriage Decision

A narrowly divided California State Supreme Court has ruled that gay and lesbian couples in the Golden State must be allowed to enter into state sanctioned marriages with the same rights and privileges as their straight counterparts.  The National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA), as an amici in the case, applauds this landmark decision and its important message of equality for all California residents.  On behalf of all of our brother and sister organizations in the fight for equality and inclusion, the NLGLA would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the cases’ lead litigator, National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Shannon Minter, as well as the other counsel in the cases who came together as a team to achieve this historic victory.

As California joins Massachusetts as the only other state to permit same-sex marriage, we have much to celebrate.  We also have a lot of work to do!  What is the immediate impact of the decision for the residents of California?  How will it affect the realm of family law?  What impact will the decision have on the struggle for marriage equality nationwide?

The Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF), the Family Equality Council, the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (LGLA), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA), the Sacramento Lawyers for the Equality of Gays and Lesbians (SacLEGAL) and the Tom Homann Law Association are proud to co-host a conference call to get some behind-the-chamber-doors insight into what went into this landscape defining ruling.

The call will take place on Wednesday, June 4th at 6:30pm EDT and will be led by Shannon Minter and Deborah Wald, founder of the Wald Law Group in San Francisco, CA.  Alice Kessler, the Director of Government Affairs for Equality California, will also provide a critical update on the proposed anti-LGBT amendment to California's Constitution that would undermine marriage equality efforts in this pivotal jurisdiction. We encourage everyone to call in and listen to what is sure to be a lively and informative discussion.

California Marriage Decision Conference Call

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

6:30 pm (EDT) / 3:30 pm (PDT)