On Monday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that redefine’s the state’s marriage laws making them more inclusive and eliminating “outdated” and “biased” language.

The legislation, written by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and co-sponsored by Attorney General Kamala Harris, aimed to update the state’s Family Code after AFER’s victory at the Supreme Court last year which restored marriage equality in the Golden State. The new law changes the definition of marriage in the state from between a “husband” and “wife” to between two “spouses.”

The bill, SB1306, passed the California State Assembly on a 51-11 vote late in June.

In 2010, The American Foundation for Equal Rights, with its legal team led by Ted Olson and David Boies, secured an unprecedented victory at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California which ruled the state’s discriminatory marriage ban unconstitutional as they violated the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The decision was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

AFER is currently the primary sponsor of Bostic v. Schaefer, the Virginia marriage equality case currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On February 13, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found the Commonwealth’s marriage laws unconstitutional.

One year ago today, I stood on the steps of the United States Supreme Court and joined thousands of marriage equality supporters in congratulating our plaintiffs, Paul & Jeff and Kris & Sandy, for their victory in restoring the freedom to marry in California.

Just minutes before that, Edie Windsor became a national hero by ensuring that all loving married same-sex couples across the nation are treated equally and with dignity under federal law.

Take a look back at that exciting day:

Along with the hard work of numerous organizations fighting for marriage equality, we have succeeded in changing the national landscape. An overwhelming majority of Americans support full federal marriage equality, and in the past year over twenty pro-equality rulings have been handed down by courts across the country. The momentum is undeniable.

Though today is a momentous day, we still have much work to accomplish. Thirty states still deny loving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Over eighty federal and state lawsuits have been filed to strike down those discriminatory laws. AFER’s work continues in Virginia with Bostic v. Schaefer.

Our incomparable legal team, led by Ted Olson and David Boies, delivered a decisive victory to our plaintiffs, Tim & Tony and Mary & Carol, at district court. Appealed by the defendants to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, our case is fully briefed, and a decision is expected any day.

Our plaintiffs — and all Virginians and Americans alike — deserve their fundamental right to marry the person whom they love. Pledge your support today by donating to AFER so that we can continue our work in the fight for full federal marriage equality.

It is because of your support that thousands of gay and lesbian couples in California can now can enjoy their basic human right of marriage. All Virginians deserve the same. Your tax-deducitble donation today will ensure that one day soon, all Americans — from Richmond to Los Angeles or Raleigh to Little Rock — can finally have their freedom to marry affirmed.

Sincerely,

Adam D. Umhoefer
Executive Director
American Foundation for Equal Rights

P.S. Sign up for breaking news alerts for our Bostic case at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

The two couples who challenged Proposition 8 in federal court with AFER were voted “Californians of the Year” by KPCC listeners. Other nominees included Governor Jerry Brown, University of California President Janet Napolitano, Space X and Tesla founder Elon Musk, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and others.

KPCC notes:

Back in 2009 when Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo joined Sandy Stier and Kris Perry to challenge the constitutionality of Proposition 8, they became the face of the fight for marriage equality in California and across the nation.

It took four years of legal back and forth but the couples fighting against Prop 8 finally won in June when the Supreme Court declared the law unconstitutional. Two days later, Katami and Zarrillo rushed to city hall to be married by then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. [Perry and Stier were married moments earlier at San Francisco City Hall by Attorney General Kamala Harris.]

The two couples became the face of a movement and – together with a formidable legal team – brought down Prop 8, putting them at the top of the list for Californians of the Year!

Paul and Jeff talked about the honor with Air Talk host Larry Mantle. Listen >

More

• Photos from the First Day of Marriage Equality  in California
• U.S. Supreme Court Victory Paves the Way for Marriage Equality in California

“When this all first started, I thought our names might appear in some obscure legal brief and that would be the end of it,” Perry said.

Hardly. They’ve been featured prominently in international news coverage of the case.

The couple wasn’t always so visible. In fact, they would have preferred that someone else champion the cause. When the case was filed four years ago, three of their four children were teenagers and they didn’t want to subject the youngsters to scrutiny or scorn.

But same-sex marriage advocates needed public faces for their challenge, particularly stable, loving couples who could show the human side of the issue.

Gradually, Perry and Stier eased into the role of activists, granting interviews, allowing access to a documentary film crew and speaking at fundraisers.

Read the full article >

For four years, our plaintiffs Kris & Sandy and Jeff & Paul put their lives in the national spotlight. Because of their sacrifice, gay and lesbian couples are once again able to get married in California. And this time, no one can take it away.

In honor of Kris & Sandy and Paul & Jeff’s one-month wedding anniversary, we’d like to show them just how much they mean to us. Sign their guestbook today and send them a special message.

Our U.S. Supreme Court victory and the restoration of marriage equality in California would not have been possible without these two incredible couples. Let’s show them how grateful we are.

Sign our online guestbook to send a special message to the four brave Prop. 8 plaintiffs, Kris & Sandy and Paul & Jeff.

One month ago the U.S. Supreme Court decided two landmark marriage equality cases, Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor.

The effects of the twin decisions, announced on June 26, 2013, were felt almost immediately.

Within minutes, a judge stopped the deportation of a Columbian man who is married to an American citizen in New York. Shortly thereafter, a Florida man was the first member of a same-sex couple to receive approval for a permanent resident visa after over 15 years living in the U.S.

Then, two days after the decisions, AFER’s plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo became the first lesbian and gay couples to marry in California since the 2008 passage of Prop. 8 . For each, the moment fulfilled a decade-long dream.

They were joined by hundreds of couples who flocked to San Francisco City Hall that weekend and to their local county registrar the following Monday.

The two cases may be over, but their effect will be felt for years to come. In California and other states with marriage equality, couples can breathe a sigh relief, knowing that they are fully protected by state and federal law. And LGBT youth who have been bullied and harassed because they are labeled as different, will grow up knowing that they are the same as every other American in the eyes of the law.

While many federal departments including the IRS are still figuring out how to apply the ruling, the Social Security Administration is now accepting benefit claims of married same-sex couples and House Republicans will stop defending DOMA in other cases, including a case regarding spousal benefits for gay members of the military.

And for the people living in states that do not yet recognize the freedom to get married for all, there is renewed hope. The tide has shifted and it no longer a question of “if” we will have full federal marriage equality, but “when.”

“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.

1. San Francisco Chronicle

2. La Opinión

3. Los Angeles Daily News

4. Contra Costa Times

5. The Bakersfield Californian

6. Los Angeles Times

7. The Sacramento Bee

Official Press Photos >

Gay and lesbian couples are now able to marry in California.

Today, the Ninth Circuit lifted its stay on the historic federal  district court decision that ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional.

After over 12 years together our plaintiffs, Kris Perry & Sandy Stier, will be first couple to get married in California since the passage of Proposition 8.

For Kris and Sandy, and gay and lesbian couples like them, this day is a long time coming. It’s a day when they can finally look into each other’s eyes and know that their love is equal in the eyes of the law.

If you are planning to get married:

• Check out our list of frequently asked questions
• Share your love story withAFER

[Update, July 2, 5:30 p.m]

Photos  from San Francisco Pride

Los Angeles Victory Celebration

[Update, June 29, 9:17 a.m] Watch video of Paul & Jeff’s wedding in Los Angeles and Kris & Sandy’s wedding in San Francisco.

[Update, June 28, 6:35 p.m.] Jeff & Paul were married at L.A. City Hall in a ceremony officiated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on his last day in office.

[Update, June 28, 5:45 p.m.] Jeff & Paul will get married at 6 p.m. in a ceremony officiated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. It will be broadcast live on MSNBC.

[Update, June 28, 4:55 p.m.] Kris and Sandy were married at 4:51 at San Francisco City Hall officiated by California Attorney General Kamala Harris. Their son Elliot Perry served as ring bearer.

[Update, June 28, 4:47 p.m.] Kris & Sandy and Jeff & Paul and  both have their marriage licences. Kris and Sandy will be married momentarily by Attorney General Kamala Harris in San Francisco City Hall. Jeff & Paul will be married at L.A. City Hall.