Today's decision by Judge Walker finding Prop 8 unconstitutional is a big step forward in the march towards marriage equality. We have a lot to celebrate as progressives and more importantly, as Americans.
But we know that this decision doesn't mean the fight for equality is over.
From appeals to right-wing efforts across the country to deny LGBT Americans fundamental rights, we have a lot more work to do to ensure that this victory isn't fleeting. These types of court victories underscore the need and urgency to achieve a permanent state of equality for families from coast to coast.
It's likely that today's decision will make its way up to the Supreme Court. This is why it is so important that we elect progressive Senators who aren't afraid to take a clear stand in favor of full marriage equality. From Supreme Court nominees to repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, we need leaders who won't shy away from recognizing that ensuring equal rights for LGBT Americans is the greatest civil rights issue we face today.
Last year, I announced my support for full marriage equality. Not civil unions. Not some sort of "gay marriage" status. Full marriage equality.
Trust me, I had people left and right telling me my stance would cost me key votes downstate. But it's where I stand in my heart, and so it's where I stand in this campaign. And that's how I'll vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate, should I be so privileged to serve.
I recently spoke out about why we need more leaders to fight for marriage equality. You can watch the video below:
You can also read more about what I'll do to ensure equality by checking out the LGBT page on my website.
We have so much to celebrate today. Let's take today's victory and have it galvanize our resolve to fight for equality not just in California, but in every state, from coast to coast.
Update [2010-8-4 19:27:44 by Alexi Giannoulias]:: My team received a couple emails asking for a transcript of the video.
[...]
When you talk about true equality, you hear people say, well, we’ll find a way to talk about something else. You hear some people say, well, maybe we can find a way to talk about civil unions or find a way to deal with it another time. I am proud to be the first Senate candidate to run in the state of Illinois to be in favor of full marriage equality, and it’s sort of funny to hear people come up to me and say, "That must’ve been a tough decision. You must’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it, and is it a tough position for you to take," and I said no, it’s an easy decision. I don’t know why it’s so hard for so many other people.
Guys, this is about fairness. This is about treating people, treating everybody the same. Now, my parents raised me to treat people with equality, with fairness, and so that everyone in this country has equal rights. That, if my fiancé, who is here tonight – Tara, say hi, everybody. You may not’ve seen her because she was a little late tonight, but – there’s a beautiful fake smile - but if my fiancé and I, tomorrow, can go to City Hall and get a marriage license, and have certain financial rights, certain pension rights, certain hospital visitation rights, who are we to deny to people who love each other, who live together, who take care of each other, and just want to make sure they have those same rights?
The fact that there is not full marriage equality, to me, is offensive, it’s discriminatory, and it’s a policy that needs to change.
And when I hear people say it’s too tough a decision, let’s look at it later, let’s look at it down the road, I’m going to tell you this: there’s going to come a time in the not-so-faraway future – maybe it’s five years, maybe it’s ten years, hopefully it’s not twenty years – we are going to look back on this issue and be embarrassed and disgusted at the fact that we didn’t let two people who love each other get married. It’s as simple as that, folks. [...]
We have a stark contrast between myself and Congressman Kirk, but it’s going to be a close race. It’s going to be a knockdown, drag-out street fight, but I’m telling you – if we can get enough people out to vote, if we can talk about character and principles and equality and the importance of true leadership, then we’re going to win this race, we’re going to make history, and we are going to have one hell of a party on November 2nd.