LGBT Caucus Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision to Hear Gay Marriage Cases

January 16, 2015

LGBT Caucus Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision to Hear Gay Marriage Cases 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman (Stockton), Chair of the Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus, released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court agreeing to hear appeals on gay marriage bans from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which include Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

“Marriage equality has been a priority and a dream of the LGBT community for decades.  With now 36 states, including the District of Columbia, allowing same-sex marriage, we have momentum on our side.

The institution of marriage not only provides certain legal and financial privileges, it is a powerful symbolic gesture of love and commitment. Marrying my partner of 32 years last year was one of the greatest days of my life. It was an experience and an opportunity that many loving couples across the country are still denied. The institution of marriage not only provides over 1,000 legal and financial privileges, it is a powerful symbol of a couple’s love and commitment. It is something to be cherished and shared.

My colleagues and I, here and across the country, will be eagerly anticipating that the Supreme Court will finally lay to rest the question of whether or not loving same-sex couples will continue to be treated as second class citizens.“

Originally formed in 2002, the LGBT Caucus serves as a forum for the California Legislature to discuss issues that affect LGBT Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all residents in the State. Comprising both Senate and Assembly members, the LGBT Caucus members include: Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins, Assemblymembers Susan Talamantes Eggman (Chair), Richard S. Gordon, Evan Low; Senators Cathleen Galgiani, Ricardo Lara, and Mark Leno. The Caucus’ formation made California the first state in the country to recognize an official caucus of openly-LGBT state legislators.

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Media Contacts:
Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman
Christian Burkin
916-319-2013
Christian.Burkin@asm.ca.gov 

LGBT Caucus
William Kim
916-319-2525
William.Kim@asm.ca.gov