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Feinstein on Supreme Court's Decision to Consider Same-Sex Marriage Cases

Statement

Date: Dec. 7, 2012
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Marriage Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court decided to consider two cases on same-sex marriage, one related to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and another related to California's Proposition 8.

"After several federal courts struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, the Supreme Court today decided to review the case itself. As the lead sponsor of legislation to repeal DOMA, I am pleased the court has decided to resolve this issue.

"Same-sex couples live their lives like all married couples. They raise children, share finances, care for each other and love each other in good times and bad. But DOMA denies these couples more than 1,100 federal rights and benefits that other Americans enjoy. I fully expect the court will come to the same conclusion I have--that this is a violation of equal protection and must be struck down.

"The Supreme Court today also agreed to consider California's Prop 8, a law that took away the right of gays and lesbians in California to marry. I was pleased when the Ninth Circuit struck down Prop 8 in June, and I hope the Supreme Court upholds that decision and restores marriage equality to California."


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