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SOULFORCE MEDIA ADVISORY: May 15, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paige Schilt,
Media Director
Cell: 512-659-1771
paige@soulforce.org
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(Austin, TX) — Soulforce commends the California Supreme Court in doing justice for same-gender couples by striking down the state’s ban on gay marriage. In a historic 4-3 decision today, the court ruled that the voter approved Proposition 22 is unconstitutional. The decision paves the way for California to join Massachusetts as the second state where same-gender couples can legally marry.
The 172-page opinion included the following:
"Accordingly, in light of the conclusions we reach concerning the constitutional questions brought to us for resolution, we determine that the language of section 300 limiting the designation of marriage to a union ‘between a man and a woman’ is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute, and that the remaining statutory language must be understood as making the designation of marriage available both to opposite-sex and same-sex couples."
Soulforce Executive Director, Jeff Lutes, stated, "The ruling today is the glorious result of decades of nonviolent activism by many brave souls, including our friend Rev. Troy Perry (founder of UFMCC) and his spouse Phillip Ray De Blieck, and LGBT activist Robin Tyler and her partner, Diane Olsen. We rejoice and give thanks for Troy, Phillip, Robin, and Diane who jointly brought this lawsuit, and we call on all Americans who care about equality to stand up, speak out, and even sit-in (civil disobedience) until justice is served in every state."
Soulforce is a national civil rights and social justice organization. Our vision is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.