San Jose rally celebrates California legalizing same-sex marriage
SUPREME COURT LEGALIZES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Years of struggling for equal rights paid off today when the California Supreme Court struck down separate-but-equal domestic partnerships and opened the door for millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples to be legally married.
The fight to marry came to a head for same-sex couples in March when the state Supreme Court heard impassioned oral arguments in favor of granting equal marriage rights for all Californians. The Supreme Court ruled 4-3 today that denying LGBT couples the right to marry violates California’s Constitution.
“For the first time in California history, same-sex couples have been recognized for what they are—loving, caring relationships every bit as valid as heterosexual marriages,” said Leslie Bulbuk, president of the Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee. “I am ecstatic that the highest court in our state has taken this wonderfully historic step.”
To mark this historic occasion, BAYMEC and San Jose’s Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center are holding a rally with local elected officials. The demonstration to celebrate the court’s ruling will be at 6 p.m. today at the plaza in front of the County Government Center at 70 W. Hedding St. in San Jose. All residents are invited to join in the celebration.
Even with the court’s ruling, LGBT couples will have to continue fighting for their rights this November. Several discriminatory constitutional amendments calling for marriage in California to be defined as between one man and one woman are expected to qualify for the November ballot. BAYMEC plans to fight these amendments at all costs.
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ABOUT BAYMEC
Board of Directors
Officers: Leslie Bulbuk, president; Robert Greeley, treasurer
Members: Kristin Long, Evan Low, John Myers, Thanh Ngo, Richard Poppen, Wiggsy Sivertsen
The Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee has been advocating for the civil rights of LGBT individuals in the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey since 1984. As a political action committee, BAYMEC’s Board of Directors makes endorsements, raises funds and provides volunteers to gay and gay-friendly candidates, and the board makes sure elected officials follow through on their promises to address the issues of our community.
P.O. Box 6296, San Jose, CA 95150-9696 * (408) 486-9049 * www.baymec.net * FPPC #841499
Tags: California, LGBT, same-sex marriage, san jose