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Reactions to California ruling on same-sex marriages
[Updated at 8:17 p.m.] Here is more reaction to Wednesday's federal ruling that struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage:
Brian Raum, attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund: "In America, we should respect and uphold the right of a free people to make policy choices through the democratic process - especially ones that do nothing more than uphold the definition of marriage that has existed since the foundation of the country and beyond."
Human Rights Campaign: "The battle for marriage equality continues, and we must all continue our work - in courthouses and statehouses, in church pews and living rooms - until equality is reality for LGBT people and our families everywhere."
[Updated at 6:51 p.m.] Here is more reaction to Wednesday's federal ruling that struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage:
White House: "The president has spoken out in opposition to Proposition 8 because it is divisive and discriminatory. He will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans."
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "California voters have twice been given the opportunity to vote on the definition of marriage in their state and both times have determined that marriage should be recognized as only between a man and a woman. We agree. Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of society."
Kate Kendell, executive director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights: "Using the Prop 8 proponents' own outrageous and inflammatory words, ads, and e-mails, the plaintiffs powerfully demonstrated that Prop 8 was a direct product of hostility, fear-mongering and demonization of lesbians and gay men."
California Attorney General Jerry Brown: "In striking down Proposition 8, Judge Walker came to the same conclusion I did when I declined to defend it: Proposition 8 violates the equal protection guarantee of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution by taking away the right of same-sex couples to marry, without a sufficient governmental interest."
Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America: "Marriage is not a political toy. It is too important to treat as a means for already powerful people to gain preferred status or acceptance. Marriage between one man and one woman undergirds a stable society and cannot be replaced by any other living arrangement."
[Posted at 6:07 p.m.] Reaction on Wednesday to a federal ruling that rejected California's Proposition 8 on same-sex marriage centered on equal rights and the voice of voters.
Chad Griffin, board president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which helped bring the case against Proposition 8: "Any denial of freedom ... undermines the principles on which this country is founded."
Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage: "I am deeply disturbed and shocked a federal judge has ruled 7 million people have no right to vote on marriage. This is a slur against the majority of Americans."
Cyndi Lauper, musician whose True Colors Fund advocates for the lesbian, gay and transgender community: "Today's landmark ruling ... validates that the discrimination gay couples face must come to an end. We as a society should be embracing these couples and helping them make the lifelong commitment to each other that many of us straight people take for granted each and every day."
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, referring to 1973 decision that legalized abortion: "This lawsuit, should it be upheld on appeal and in the Supreme Court, would become the 'Roe v. Wade' of same-sex 'marriage."
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: "For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for all Californians to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity."
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, House Judiciary Committee: "When Congress returns from recess, I plan to introduce a resolution condemning today's decision and urging an immediate appeal. The voters of California are not the only ones who lost today. This decision defies the voice of all citizens who have sought to define marriage in their states as the union between one man and one woman. Judge Walker's actions should be opposed and the decision should be swiftly overturned."
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State: "This is a tremendous step forward for individual freedom and church-state separation. Aggressive and well-funded religious groups conspired to take away the civil marriage rights of same-sex couples in California. That was wrong, and I am delighted that the court has ruled the way it has."
Belief Blog: Conservatives vow to fight Wednesday's ruling
KSTU: Reaction from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
@cnnbrk on Twitter
Some good comments here. I hope it helps ease some of the hurt and anger. We need more love, understanding and respect for one another. We may differ in our views and that is ok, but hate and name calling is not.
Layla,
It's not nice to use the word "bashing" to gay people. It hurts our feelings.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Being married to whomever you want seems like a fundamental "pursuit of happiness" to me.
This is a historic step towards equality for the LGBT community. Why is this not still the top story on CNN's web site? Even though it's not the final step in the battle, it deserves to be front and center.
The Democrats cried foul when their vote was "stolen" in 2000. Guess they don't mind when they steal mine.
What gets lost in this discussion is the liberals insistence that they get to teach pre-school and elementary school aged kids about gay marriage and the gay lifestyle.."whether you like it or not."
And what is wrong with teaching kids about the facts of life?
I'm quite certain that the goal here isn't to teach elementary school students anything about marriage. There is no conspiracy to re-write the schoolbooks. Still, when the next edition comes around, what is wrong with replacing 'mother and father' simply with 'parents'.
Further, your vote was not stolen. Instead we challenge that you should not be able to vote on this issue at all. I believe in democracy but I also believe in civil rights.
Chris,
Don't be like that. We're not teaching kids about it (nor is that any part of what the liberals are saying that they want to do), but, yes, your kids will know that we exist. Just as they know other races exist. Because they do. And bigotry doesn't make us disappear.
But I don't think kindergarden curricula is suddenly going to change.
I hate stupid arguments, so please, quit making them. I mean, really? We want to teach it to 3-year-olds? That doesn't even make sense, Chris. Do you read these things before you type?
If you ask a married person what the happiest day of their lives was, "Getting married" is certainly at the top of most lists. When you deny someone (anyone)the right to marry, you are denying them the chance to experience a rare, life-changing event. Is that fair? I have my relationship with God. He's not in any book; I feel him in my heart. I don't need your acceptance; I have plenty of friends, but I demand equality. If you can marry who you want to marry, then I should be able to marry who I want to marry. Don't throw your bible at me: What you call "christian values" I call common sense. I suggest we leave "Marriage" to the church and call the Marriage License issued by the state a Civil Union License.
Man should leave his parents and be with a woman. A woman, There was no Adam and Steve U should find a bible and read the hell out of it!
Not everyone is christan you know. I hate how people use the bible to confirm things. When the slave owners were asked if slavery was right or wrong they would point to the bible. According to the bible, black people are all sinners that need to serve the (white) master-Ham's curse. I don't believe in that. So don't point at the bible. If you don't like LGBT then just don't be one. A person is a person. You don't decide who they can love. I'm not trying to change you, I'm just asking for tolerance.
The Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), have defended and practiced both polygamy and racial discrimination (non-Whites were not allowed to hold the priesthood until the 1980's) and thus have no moral high ground from which to speak on this issue. The Bible permits slavery, submission of women to men, the stoneing of children, polygamy, and racial discrimination. Christians should shut up. Religion has no place in this debate. We are above all that.
It is absolute ridiculous to begin to insinuate in any way that religion has no place in this debate. If the LGBT community states "The principles this country was founded"; and they have, then reality is that this country was founded based on religious freedom more than any other principle indeed. Furthermore, whether or not "Jake" you want to acknowlege it or not we are a nation of Christians!!!!!!! Some would even go as far as to say that we are a Christian nation.
The LGBT community can put whatever pun on words that they want but at the end of the day it is very easy to know right from wrong religiously, morally, and with regards to the RELIGIOUS union of marriage.