South San Francisco, CA June 26, 2015 Submitted by Office of Senator Mark Leno
SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision giving same-sex couples nationwide the freedom to marry. While serving in the California Assembly, Sen. Leno authored two marriage equality bills, which were the first measures passed by any state legislature in the nation.
“Today’s ruling is a defining moment for our nation that dignifies and validates couples who will no longer be treated differently because of who they are and who they love,” said Senator Leno. “This is a long-sought victory for so many people who dared to believe that love, liberty and basic fairness would eventually prevail. The Court’s decision affirms that every American is created equal, loves equally and should be free to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
“One decade ago, California led our nation in passing the first legislation that would have given same-sex couples the freedom to marry. While those bills were vetoed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, our state played a pivotal role in the marriage movement, both legislatively and in the courts. I applaud the many dedicated government leaders, civil rights attorneys, same-sex couples, plaintiffs and grassroots activists who have kept our momentum moving forward, culminating in today’s landmark achievement.
“While we rejoice in this triumph, we must also acknowledge that the challenges for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people do not end here. LGBT people suffer high rates of suicide, threats of violence, bullying, homelessness and unequal pay for equal work. While the courts have embraced an enlightened perspective on marriage, discrimination still persists throughout our society and in our schools and workplaces. We have changed many attitudes, hearts, minds and laws, but our work is far from over.”
View Senator Leno’s videotaped comments on today’s decision: http://youtu.be/y4y_zgr1jSk
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Senator Mark Leno represents the 11th Senate District of California, which includes San Francisco, Daly City, Colma, Broadmoor and portions of South San Francisco. He is the first openly gay man elected to the California Senate and one of the first two openly gay men elected to the California Assembly. As an Assemblymember, he authored two bills that would have given same-sex couples the freedom to marry in California, making the Golden State the first in the nation to pass such legislation. Senator Leno’s marriage bills passed the Legislature in 2005 and again in 2007, but both measures were vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. www.senate.ca.gov/leno
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