5-15-08, 3:08 pm
For immediate release For More Information Contact: Donna Cartwright 202-637-3988
California Court Rules LGBT Couples Cannot Be Denied the Right to Marry
WASHINGTON, DC- In a huge step forward for fairness and equality, California's Supreme Court ruled today that the state could not deny LGBT couples the right to marry.
'This is wonderful news for California as well as for the LGBT community,' said Pride At Work co-President T Santora, who is also president of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9000, based in Hollywood, CA. 'After decades of struggle, LGBT Americans have moved much closer to our ultimate goal of full equality in a democratic society.'
Santora noted that Pride At Work's members in California played a key role in persuading the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO to come out in support of marriage equality well before the court decision.
'We are grateful to all our brothers and sisters in the labor movement who supported our struggle for equality,' said Pride At Work co-President Nancy Wohlforth, Secretary-Treasurer of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).
Wohlforth, who was a leader of the labor movement in the San Francisco area before moving to her present position, added that it is now essential for labor to stand up to the right-wing attacks on the decision that are sure to come.
'In the labor movement, we believe that an injury to one is an injury to all. The California Supreme Court has helped remedy one injury today,' she said.
Anti-LGBT groups are trying to put an initiative on the California ballot this fall that would amend the state constitution to prohibit equal marriage rights. Pride At Work will be galvanizing to mobilize labor unions to help block any such reactionary, mean-spirited efforts.
'I'm sure all fair-minded Americans will join us in congratulating Lambda Legal Defense, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union, which worked so hard to make this result possible,' Wohlforth said.
