(San Francisco, CA, August 27, 2012)—Today, the California Assembly voted 51-26 in support of Senate Bill 1476, which will allow judges to recognize the reality that some children have more than two parents. This bill makes it possible for a third parent—such as a gay father who is raising a child with a lesbian couple—to have legal rights and responsibilities to protect and provide care for the child. The bill provides that when more than two adults meet the criteria to be a legal parent...
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State legislation
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, June 25, 2012)—Today, in a 5-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down three key provisions of the draconian Arizona immigration law, S.B. 1070, and upheld another provision for further judicial interpretation without reaching a final determination of its validity. Justice Elena Kagan abstained. The Court struck down three sections of the law, including a provision that made it a crime for all documented...
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, June 5, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied review by a larger panel of judges of that Court’s February 7, 2012 decision striking down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional. Proposition 8 is the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The Ninth Circuit’s February decision held that Proposition 8 violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution because it...
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (Annapolis, MD, March 1, 2012)—Today, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed HB 438—a bill providing full marriage rights for same-sex couples—into law. Maryland will become the 11th jurisdiction in the country in which same-sex couples can marry when the law goes into effect on January 1, 2013. Opponents have pledged to try to put the new law up for a popular vote before it takes effect. Maryland joins seven other states,...
(Sacramento, CA, February 24, 2012)—Senator Mark Leno today introduced legislation that reaffirms a family court judge’s ability to recognize parent-child relationships based on the evidence and what is in the best interests of the child. SB 1476 modernizes state law by giving courts the flexibility to protect children who have parent-child relationships with more than two people. A California judge recently ruled that it was in the best interests of a child to recognize that she had a...
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (Annapolis, MD, February 23, 2012)—Today, the Maryland Senate voted 25 to 22 to recognize full marriage rights for same-sex couples. The Maryland House of Delegates approved the measure last Friday by a vote of 72 to 67. Gov. Martin O’Malley, the bill’s sponsor, has already committed to signing the bill into law. Maryland will become the 11th jurisdiction in the country in which same-sex couples can marry when the law goes into effect on...
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 13, 2012)—Today, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill that makes the state the tenth jurisdiction in the country in which same-sex couples can marry. Washington joins six other states, Washington D.C., and two tribal nations that no longer discriminate against same-sex couples in marriage. The law goes into effect June 7, 2012. Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq.: “We are a...
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 16, 2012)—Today, the New Jersey State Assembly passed a bill establishing full marriage rights for same-sex couples. The New Jersey State Senate passed a companion bill on February 13, 2012. If Gov. Chris Christie signs the bill into law, New Jersey will become the 11th jurisdiction in the country in which same-sex couples can marry. If the bill is signed, New Jersey will join seven other states, Washington...
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 7, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the August 2010 decision of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco striking down Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The Court affirmed the ruling of former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker that Prop 8 discriminates against same-sex couples in violation of the Equal Protection...
Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. (San Francisco, CA, February 2, 2012)—Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the public release of the video of the historic trial to overturn Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. The court overturned a federal district court decision ordering the release of the video. Since suffering a devastating loss at the 2010 trial, Prop 8 supporters have tried to block the...