(Sacramento, CA) – California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) reacted to the State Supreme Court´s historic marriage decision today. She participated in the case as amicus curiae with other legislators in a brief filed with the Court which argued in favor of the decision announced today.
"I am elated by the court´s decision. It is a victory for all Californians who cherish fairness and opportunity," said Lieber. "The court did its job today – ensuring that all Californians are treated fairly and equally under the law."
"I joined in a brief that argued to the Court that the State Legislature did not intend to preserve the "traditional" definition of marriage by creating a "separate but equal" institution of domestic partnership. The Court´s review of the legislative history shows that domestic partnership was intended to be an intermediary step to full marriage equality. With today´s decision we have achieved that goal."
Speaker pro Tem Lieber has twice been a joint author of the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act [A.B. 43 (2007) and A.B. 19/849 (2005)]. The bills extended the institution of secular marriage to all couples, while at the same time protecting the rights of religious organizations to choose to marry or not marry any couple for any reason. Both were vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
"I am elated by the court´s decision. It is a victory for all Californians who cherish fairness and opportunity," said Lieber. "The court did its job today – ensuring that all Californians are treated fairly and equally under the law."
"I joined in a brief that argued to the Court that the State Legislature did not intend to preserve the "traditional" definition of marriage by creating a "separate but equal" institution of domestic partnership. The Court´s review of the legislative history shows that domestic partnership was intended to be an intermediary step to full marriage equality. With today´s decision we have achieved that goal."
Speaker pro Tem Lieber has twice been a joint author of the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act [A.B. 43 (2007) and A.B. 19/849 (2005)]. The bills extended the institution of secular marriage to all couples, while at the same time protecting the rights of religious organizations to choose to marry or not marry any couple for any reason. Both were vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
