Statement on the California Supreme Court Ruling on Proposition 8

Statement

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a longtime advocate of marriage equality, released the following statement today on the California Supreme Court ruling that sponsors of Proposition 8 have the legal right to defend the discriminatory ballot initiative in federal court:

"I understand that today's ruling by the California Supreme Court is a disappointment for many, especially for gay and lesbian Californians, who have already waited so long for marriage equality. Proposition 8 is an unconscionably discriminatory measure, but the legal battle against it must go on.

"Proposition 8 may only directly impact California, but the questions it implicates are of national importance. It has always been the case that the U.S. Supreme Court would eventually have to decide what our Constitution's promise of equality means for gay and lesbian Americans. By allowing the proponents of Proposition 8 to continue their defense of that law, today's ruling by the California Supreme Court brings that day one day closer."

Senator Coons commended those who have carried the challenge to Proposition 8 to this point, "You have built a strong record at the trial court that the reasons against marriage equality do not withstand scrutiny. This record, which will form the basis of future court decisions, gives equality the best chance to prevail."

In August of 2010 a district court struck down Prop 8 -- the California voter initiative passed in 2008 that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Because the State of California has refused to defend Prop 8, the 9th Circuit Court of appeals, a federal court, requested guidance from the California high court as to whether proponents of a state ballot measure have legal standing to do so in place of the state.

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