Maine and DC Mark Path For California

CALIFORNIA CLERGY POINT TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY ADVANCES IN MAINE AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AS MARKING THE PATH FOR CALIFORNIA

May 5, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, CA –CALIFORNIA FAITH FOR EQUALITY (CFE) applauds lawmakers in Maine and the District of Columbia for their bold votes today on marriage equality for same sex couples. "The arc of history bends toward justice,” said Rabbi Denise Eger founder Congregation Kol-Ami in West Hollywood and one of the founding members of CFE. “Marriage equality for same-gender couples is a reality for our future. California will follow in the footsteps of Maine, the District of Columbia, Vermont, Iowa and Massachusetts. And, we call on the California Supreme Court be on the right side of history by respecting the dignity of every human being, overturning Prop 8 and upholding their May, 2008 decision extending the right to marry to same sex couples.”

“As we await the decision of the California Supreme Court, we are positive that no matter which way the court decides on Prop 8, California will have marriage equality in the very near future”, said Samuel M. Chu, Interim Executive Director of California Faith for Equality. “We are very excited by the actions of these legislators. Things are changing in all areas: political, judicial and religious. We are all unwilling to discriminate against or take away the rights of others.” Chu speaks on behalf of a diverse group of clergy and lay leaders who have united under the California Faith for Equality banner to move ahead on this issue.

Rabbi Eger, a Founder of California Faith for Equality and President of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, performed over 60 marriages in California during the short window between June and November 2008, including one of the first. She and her partner were also married. “We cannot live in a state that gives rights to some, but not all. I teach in my faith that all persons are created equal and I am confident that California will soon join Maine, the District of Columbia and all the other states celebrating marriage equality for all.”