Same-Sex Couples Have Their Day in Court

In a historic case filed by the ACLU and its coalition partners, the state’s high court heard oral arguments March 4 challenging the constitutionality of denying same-sex couples the dignity, benefits, and protections of marriage.

The California Supreme Court will have 90 days to issue its landmark decision.

» Watch or listen to the court proceedings
» A Brief History of the Case
» Legal Coalition
» Meet the Couples
» Diverse Groups Support Marriage Equality

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CASE

It has been a long road to the high court since the city of San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004:

• March 11, 2004: The California Supreme Court ordered San Francisco to stop issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

• March 14, 2005: San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the ability to marry.

• Oct. 5, 2006: The California Court of Appeal reversed Kramer's decision.

• Dec. 20, 2006: The California Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in the case.

More History »

LEGAL COALITION

The ACLU, Lambda Legal, Heller Ehrman LLP, the Law Office of David Codell, and lead counsel National Center for Lesbian Rights are representing 15 committed gay and lesbian couples as well as Equality California and Our Family Coalition.

MEET THE COUPLES

The same-sex couples involved in this case have made life-long commitments to each other. Many are raising children together. The couples come from throughout the state and from all walks of life.

Many of the couples in this consolidated case had appointments to obtain marriage licenses at San Francisco City Hall, but the California Supreme Court ordered San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to stop issuing licenses before they could obtain theirs.

"I was raised to believe that when people loved each other, they committed their lives to each other," says Art Adams, a plaintiff in the case who was turned away at City Hall. "The lawsuit brings to mind the things we can't do. We are a real couple, with rights and responsibilities."

More Couples »

DIVERSE GROUPS SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY

The marriage case is among the most heavily briefed cases in the history of the California Supreme Court, with support from legal community leaders, counties and municipalities, and civil rights and religious organizations.

For example, some of the most populous cities in California; leading legal scholars; and groups ranging from the California Council of Churches to the California NAACP either filed or signed onto briefs in support of marriage for same-sex couples.