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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2008)
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COLORADO The California Supreme Court ruled June 4 i Colorado Enacts that marriage licenses will be issued to same-sex Nondiscrimination Law couples beginning June 17. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed legislation Despite protests from the opposition, the May 30 prohibiting discrimination based on court denied a petition for rehearing the requests sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, to issue a stay in the marriage equality case. The public accommodations, credit transactions, juror justices’ order denying a stay was denounced by conservative organizations supporting a constitu service and other areas. The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. tional amendment on the ballot in November to Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, and state Rep. Joel overturn the ruling. The justices said that the marriage law dis Judd, D-Denver, expands existing laws that pro hibit discrimination based on race, sex, religion, criminated against gays and lesbians and that California’s domestic partner laws, while provid disability and other characteristics. Human Rights Campaign president Joe ing many marital rights to same-sex couples, still Solmonese congratulated Ritter, Veiga and Judd left them in a separate and lesser status. “on taking this important step to advance equality The court denied a rehearing by the same for Coloradans. As Gov. Ritter has said, this law 4-3 vote. Chief Justice Ronald George, author is about basic fairness and treating people equally. of last month’s ruling, was joined by Justices Opponents of equality did their best to scare and Joyce Kennard, Kathryn Mickle Werdegar and divide Coloradans, but it’s heartening to see that Carlos Moreno in reaffirming the decision. their tactics were rejected. This is a positive step Justices Marvin Baxter, Ming Chin and Carol forward for Colorado, coming on the heels of two Corrigan, who dissented from the ruling, voted for reconsideration. pro-equality laws enacted in 2007.” In 2007, Colorado enacted laws prohibit Lawyers in support of marriage equality pre ing employment discrimination based on sexual dicted a rash of weddings would increase public orientation or gender identity and providing for acceptance of gays’ and lesbians’ marital rights. second-parent adoption. The new law takes effect “People will see their friends, neighbors immediately. and co-workers engaging in this very cherished ritual, and I believe it will continue to push the FLORIDA California voting public in the direction of assur Lawsuit: Social Security ing that the constitution does not treat people dif Administration Ignores Gay Father ferently,” Kate Kendell, executive director of the Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit May 28 against National Center for Lesbian Rights, told The San the Social Security Administration on behalf of Francisco Chronicle. Gary Day, a disabled father who says his repeated Attorney Gloria Allred’s clients, Robin Tyler requests for assistance for his children have been and her life partner, Diane Olson, and the Rev. ignored for two years. Indications in the govern Troy Perry and his life partner, Phillip De Blieck, ment’s responses point to anti-gay discrimination. who won the case on grounds that denying mar “Asking a father to wait more than two years riage licenses to these couples is unconstitutional, for the SSA to decide whether his children are plan to obtain marriage licenses June 17. entitled to disability insurance suggests either a “We are proud of our clients,” said Allred. “They have fought for and won a right for them failure on rhe part of the agency to do its job or blatant discrimination based on the fact that these selves and millions of others." children have two dads,” said Beth Littrell, staff The state Office of Vital Records has prepared attorney at Lambda Legal. “Either way, the SSA’s a new form for the marriage licenses of same actions are unfair and unacceptable.” In February 2006, Day completed the ap plications for child in surance benefits for his children. He provided birth certificates and court documents that acknowledge him as the legal parent of the children. The SSA acknowledged receipt of the application and promised to provide a response in 45 days. After more than a year with no response, Lambda Legal sent a letter on Day’s behalf seeking action by the agency. The SSA still Fly-fishing Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed a more inclusive nondiscrimination law May 30. did not provide an ini- I
