Mayor Lee’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision Supporting Marriage Equality in California
Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court decision on marriage equality, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional and the challenge to the Ninth Circuit Court ruling overturning California’s Proposition 8 lacked standing:
“The United States Supreme Court today has taken a historic step toward guaranteeing marriage equality for every Californian and protecting millions of California families, choosing hope and love over ignorance and discrimination.
More than nine years ago, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom took a courageous stand against marriage discrimination in San Francisco, marrying thousands of loving couples, and there is a direct line from that historic day to this one. In the wake of today’s decision, San Francisco stands ready once again to begin marrying same-sex couples on the first day possible.
The struggle for marriage equality and civil rights for EVERY American in every state must continue, but this day will forever mark a historic milestone on the long journey to fulfilling the promise of equal protection under the law for every American enshrined in our Constitution.
Our City will always be grateful for the incredible efforts of those who worked for years on the path toward marriage equality and toward bringing this case before our nation’s highest court, including Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart, Chad Griffin and the American Foundation for Equal Rights, Kate Kendall from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Phyllis Lyon and her late partner Del Martin, who for decades inspired so many through their love for each other and by their commitment to marriage equality.”
As a mark of significance for this historic day and for Pride, Mayor Lee has ordered City Hall and Coit Tower lit in rainbow colors for the first time, and the rainbow flag will continue to be flown at City Hall until the end of Pride Month.
“The United States Supreme Court today has taken a historic step toward guaranteeing marriage equality for every Californian and protecting millions of California families, choosing hope and love over ignorance and discrimination.
More than nine years ago, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom took a courageous stand against marriage discrimination in San Francisco, marrying thousands of loving couples, and there is a direct line from that historic day to this one. In the wake of today’s decision, San Francisco stands ready once again to begin marrying same-sex couples on the first day possible.
The struggle for marriage equality and civil rights for EVERY American in every state must continue, but this day will forever mark a historic milestone on the long journey to fulfilling the promise of equal protection under the law for every American enshrined in our Constitution.
Our City will always be grateful for the incredible efforts of those who worked for years on the path toward marriage equality and toward bringing this case before our nation’s highest court, including Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart, Chad Griffin and the American Foundation for Equal Rights, Kate Kendall from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Phyllis Lyon and her late partner Del Martin, who for decades inspired so many through their love for each other and by their commitment to marriage equality.”
As a mark of significance for this historic day and for Pride, Mayor Lee has ordered City Hall and Coit Tower lit in rainbow colors for the first time, and the rainbow flag will continue to be flown at City Hall until the end of Pride Month.