American Foundation for Equal Rights » Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo

One year ago today – Victory at the Supreme Court

Shumway — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 18:08:12 +0000

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.

Prop. 8 Plaintiffs Named “Californians of the Year”

Shumway — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:39:08 +0000

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 >

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Graphic: 2013 was a historic year for marriage equality

Shumway — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 16:10:00 +0000

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Sign the Prop. 8 Plaintiffs’ Online Guestbook

Shumway — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 16:56:35 +0000

They opened their homes and their hearts. They crisscrossed the country to talk about our case and build support for marriage equality. They took countless days off from work to be at numerous court appearances.

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 later: marriage equality’s Supreme Court victories

Shumway — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:50:44 +0000

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.”

Video Shows the Day Marriage Equality Returned to California

Shumway — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:19:03 +0000

“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.

7 Front Page Headlines Today

Shumway — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 17:50:07 +0000

On June 28, AFER’s plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier became the first gay or lesbian couple to marry in California since the 2008 passage of Proposition 8. Their ceremony was quickly followed by one in Los Angeles for the other two plaintiffs in the Prop. 8 case, Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo. Read more about what happened >

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

Watch: President Obama Phones Prop 8 Plaintiffs from Air Force One

Shumway — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:00:24 +0000

AFER co-founder Chad Griffin interrupts MSNBC interview to connect plaintiffs Kris Perry, Sandy Steir, Paul Katami, and Jeff Zarillo with President Obama. President Obama commended our plaintiffs for their courage and conviction. President Obama’s words to our plaintiffs below:

We’re proud of you guys, and we’re proud to have this in California. And it’s because of your leadership things are heading the right way. So you should be very proud today. Through your courage, you’re helping out a whole lotta people everywhere. –President Obama

Inside Look: Bringing Prop. 8 Case to Supreme Court

Shumway — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:37:49 +0000

Take a backstage peek at the preparation and planning for AFER’s March 26 argument at the Supreme Court. Join the plaintiffs, their families, and AFER’s legal team and board for the personal moments that made our journey to justice all the more real.

Official AFER Statement: U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument in Proposition 8 Case

Shumway — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:25:02 +0000

High Court Considers Marriage Equality for Gay and Lesbian Americans

Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8. The Court is considering whether Proposition 8 violates the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Enacted in November 2008, Proposition 8 eliminated the fundamental right of gay and lesbian Californians to marry. On December 7, 2012, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in Perry to review the landmark federal court of appeals ruling that upheld the decision of the federal district court that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional. On February 28, 2013, the United States Government filed a brief as amicus curiae in support of the Plaintiffs challenging Proposition 8.

Theodore B. Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP presented argument on behalf of the Plaintiffs challenging Proposition 8. Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. presented argument on behalf of the United States as amicus curiae in support of the Plaintiffs. Charles J. Cooper of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC presented argument on behalf of the Proponents of Proposition 8.

“This case is about marriage and equality. The Plaintiffs we represent are two loving couples who, like millions of other gay and lesbian Americans, are being denied the fundamental right to marry and the right to be treated with equal dignity and respect under the law,” said Plaintiffs’ lead co-counsel Theodore B. Olson, who served as Solicitor General from 2001 to 2004. “This discrimination cannot be squared with the principle of equality and the unalienable right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness that is the bedrock promise of our Constitution. The day it is ended, we will be closer to fulfilling the dream of all Americans.”

“Fourteen times the Supreme Court has stated that the freedom to marry is one of the most fundamental rights—if not the most fundamental right—of all Americans,” said Plaintiffs’ lead co-counsel David Boies of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP. “The denial of the right to marry causes grave harm to gay and lesbian Americans and the children they are raising. It serves no legitimate state interest. As full and equal citizens under our Constitution, gay and lesbian Americans cannot be denied the basic, fundamental freedom to marry.”

“Our Plaintiffs—Kris and Sandy, and Paul and Jeff—like millions of other gay and lesbian Americans, are asking for the government to honor their fundamental right to marry and to treat them with equal dignity and respect under the law,” said Adam Umhoefer, executive director at the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), the sole sponsor of Hollingsworth v. Perry. “We are proud of the powerful and compelling constitutionally-based argument for marriage equality we made before the Supreme Court today, and look forward to the day when, very soon, our great nation’s promise of liberty and equality will be realized for all Americans.”

Oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry was attended by, among others, Plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo; and AFER Board President Bruce Cohen and AFER Board Members Dustin Lance Black, Chad Griffin, Jonathan Lewis, Ken Mehlman, and Rob and Michele Reiner.

“Today is a monumental day, not just for Sandy and me, but for the millions of other Americans across the country who have waited for years for the Supreme Court to consider whether they too should enjoy the right to marry,” said Plaintiff Kris Perry. “Witnessing today’s proceedings gives me hope that our four sons, and kids across America, will soon live in a country where love and equality prevail.”

“Today’s oral argument before the Supreme Court marks the start of the final chapter of our four-year journey toward equality,” said Plaintiff Paul Katami. “The argument advanced by our incredible legal team to the nine Justices is clear and unequivocal: equal justice under law means equal justice for all. We are confident that one day, very soon, this core American value will be realized and Proposition 8 and laws like it throughout the nation will be eliminated.”

In addition to the brief submitted by the United States Government, more than 50 briefs of amici curiae were filed in support of the Plaintiffs challenging Proposition 8. Amici include 131 prominent Republican leaders, 100 American companies, leaders of religious and faith groups, the State of California and thirteen other states, and family and children’s rights organizations.

A decision from the Supreme Court in Hollingsworth v. Perry is expected by the end of June 2013.

Read Plaintiff’s Brief

Read the United States’ Brief

Read Proponents’ Brief

Read Proponents’ Reply Brief

Read the Supreme Court’s Order Granting Certiorari