Stonewall Reacts to WA State Court Ruling
(Wednesday, July 26, 2006)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) responded to the activist ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court which held the state's ban on marriage equality for same-sex couples was constitutional.
"The American family is strengthened when the legal responsibilities of marriage which protect children, stabilize homes and secure relationships are provided equally to all couples," said Jo Wyrick, NSD Executive Director. "Washington State has an economic and social interest in promoting the stability of the family, and it is stunning that the Washington State Supreme Court would base its ruling on personal opinion rather than on law."
In finding that discrimination against same-sex couples is constitutional, the Washington State Supreme Court based its majority opinion on political ideology, rather than law. "Marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and every Washington citizen has a constitutional right to enter into such a marriage," wrote the majority. The court, however, failed to provide legal context for its opinion that marriage is exclusive to the union of a man and a woman who are capable of producing offspring.
The Washington State Democratic Party already calls for marriage equality for same-sex couples as part of its party platform.
“Providing avenues of legal commitment to existing families previously ignored by the law is a principle that should be embraced by all Americans," said Wyrick. "That is why Stonewall applauds the Washington State Democratic Party for already affirming support for the family by calling for marriage recognition for same-sex couples in its party platform.”
Currently, the platforms of the state Democratic parties of Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York and Washington State call for full marriage equality for same-sex couples. Numerous county and local Democratic parties have also called for marriage equality, as have Democratic organizations like the College Democrats of America and the Young Democrats of America. For the first time, 2006 will also see Democratic gubernatorial nominees champion full marriage equality in California, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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