Congressman Serrano on Supreme Court Marriage Equality Action

Press Release

Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY) today released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court decision to let stand circuit court rulings in favor of marriage equality five states: Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. The decision will immediately increase the number of states where gay marriage is legal from 19 to 24, along with the District of Columbia. In addition, several other states with same sex marriage bans in the relevant circuits will need to implement the rulings to provide marriage equality as well.

"Today is a great day for the LGBT community nationwide and for the progress of our nation. Here in New York, the LGBT community already has the right to marry, but all throughout the nation millions of LGBT couples are still suffering the emotional, legal, and financial effects of not being able to marry the person they love. With today's Supreme Court decision to decline review of these challenges to lower court decisions requiring marriage equality, same-sex marriage will be legal in almost half the states in our nation, bringing us one step closer to living in a nation where discriminatory marriage laws are a thing of the past. We have come a long way on this issue over the years, but we can't give up until all LGBT Americans' constitutional and civil rights are respected under U.S. federal law. Congress must come together to pass the Respect for Marriage Act and fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act to guarantee that all families are fully recognized under the law," said Congressman Serrano.

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