WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, an original cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act and an ardent support of equal rights, issued the following statement after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that California’s Proposition 8 was a violation of the civil rights of gays and lesbians.
“In the march for progress and equality, victories like this one are watershed moments. Proposition 8 may only directly impact California, but the questions it raises are important to our entire nation. Today’s ruling by the 9th Circuit represents an important step forward in the struggle for equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation. In reaching its decision, the three-judge panel recognized that the government has no legitimate role in taking away the rights of gays and lesbians to marry the person they love. I agree. It simply should not be the policy of government to discriminate against any of its citizens. I applaud the court for its decision and look forward to its review and, hopefully, affirmation by the U.S. Supreme Court.”
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