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San Francisco leaders celebrate Supreme Court rulings restoring marriage equality
Summary
Following federal rulings, elected officials and civil-rights leaders gathered at City Hall to celebrate restoration of marriage equality; speakers credited local activism and litigation and pledged continued national work.
A large portion of the June 26 session turned to public remarks celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court and related federal decisions that restored marriage equality in California and advanced challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act.
Dennis Herrera, San Francisco—s City Attorney, said the rulings reaffirmed a lower-court decision that invalidated Proposition 8 and said the city would be prepared to litigate to ensure the restoration of licenses. Herrera praised local leaders and litigators who participated in the long legal battle.
Speakers at the rotunda included former and current municipal leaders, legal advocates and members of the LGBT community who traced the city—s history of leadership on marriage equality back to actions in 2004 and 2008. Several speakers emphasized the movement—s law-and-policy momentum and urged continued national efforts to extend equality beyond California.
The event included acknowledgments of legal teams, community groups and elected officials who had championed marriage equality over many years. Several speakers connected the day—s rulings to the parallel federal DOMA decision, noting both as milestones for equal protection and civil rights.
