“Equal feels good.”

That’s what our plaintiff Jeff Zarrillo said moments after he was pronounced legally married to the love of his life, Paul Katami. 

From our stirring victory at the U.S. Supreme Court to the emotional day when our plaintiffs were finally married, we’ve put together a great video about what it was like when marriage equality returned to California.

Four years ago, AFER set out to challenge Proposition 8 in federal court because the Constitution guarantees every American the equal right to marry the person they love. Now, the discrimination imposed by Prop. 8 is gone for good and gay and lesbian couples are once again able to get married in California. This time, though, there is nothing anyone can do to take it away.

Over the past two weeks, hundreds of gay and lesbian couples have fulfilled their dream of getting married. By exchanging vows, they are committing their lives to one another and are forever transformed by taking part in a sacred bond, one that is fully recognized by the State of California and the federal government. 

Because of our work together, nearly 95 million Americans, or 30% of the country, now live in a state with marriage equality. And, most of all, our nation has taken giant leap forward to fulfilling its promise of equality for all.