Washington– Today, the proponents of California’s Proposition 8, the amendment to the California Constitution that stripped marriage equality from loving, committed gay and lesbian couples, formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the February decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Perry v. Brown holding that the amendment violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws. The Perry case was brought by the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER).

Yesterday, HRC highlighted tax documents that demonstrate the millions of dollars the proponents have spent, through the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund, in a losing effort to preserve this discriminatory measure. 

“Despite losses in two federal courts and millions of dollars wasted, the proponents of Proposition 8 persist in their effort to hurt California families,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “Even if the Supreme Court decides to review the Ninth Circuit’s decision, I am confident that they will come to the same conclusion as the judges, appointed by Democrats and Republicans, who have heard the case before them: Prop 8 simply cannot stand.” Griffin is the co-founder of AFER and remains a board member.

The U.S Supreme Court is expected to decide this fall whether it will hear arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 8.

READ AFER’s PRESS RELEASE HERE:  http://www.afer.org/media/u-s-supreme-court-asked-to-hear-proposition-8-case/

READ PROPONENTS’ PETITION FOR CERTIORARI HERE:www.afer.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2012-07-31-Proponents-Petition-for-Certiorari.pdf

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.

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