Reaction to the Ruling

Updated

My friend Karen Ocamb --- certainly one of the premiere journalists in the country covering gay rights issues --- writes of reaction to today's California Supreme Court ruling.

Ocamb gathered this quote from Phyllis Lyon, who with partner Del Martin are plaintiffs in the case. Lyon, 83, and Martin, 87, have been together 56 years. "We have waited more than 50 years for the opportunity to marry. We are thrilled that this day has finally come."

Sen. Diane Feinstein said in a statement, "The Court has affirmed that people of the same sex have the right to marry under the Constitution of the State of California. This makes the legal situation very clear. It's become apparent to me that the views of Californians are changing in this regard, and becoming much more favorable with respect to recognizing the social and economic bonds that marriage provides -- regardless of the sex of the individuals."

The Obama campaign had this statement, via Time's The Page: “Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage.”

The McCain campaign had this statement, via Marc Ambinder: “John McCain supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona. John McCain doesn’t believe judges should be making these decisions.”

Another good friend, P.R. McDonald of the LA Weekly spends the morning at Tim Sullivan's West Hollywood candle shop, a favorite spot for locals to hang out and gather wisdom. Sullivan: “All I can say is, God bless Gavin Newsom.”