Mijustput JUNE 13, 2008
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sex couples with a line that includes “party a”
and “party b" instead of “bride” and “groom."
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