02/26/2012

Washington - As the New York Times reported last night, a number of prominent Republicans have signed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Hollingsworth v. Perry supporting the freedom for gay and lesbian couples to marry. The following is a statement by Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

“There's nothing partisan about standing up for American values like freedom, liberty, and equality. We're proud to have these prominent Republicans join Ted Olson in supporting a freedom-based Constitutional argument for equality. None of us--Democrat, Republican or Independent--would want to be told that we can't marry the person we love, and these signatories are blazing the trail for the next generation of fair-minded Republicans still to come. "

Perry has been found unconstitutional by the Federal District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals because it violates our nation’s fundamental concepts of liberty and equal treatment under the law.  The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case on March 26.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.