CWA: Supreme Court Decisions Move Nation Closer to Full Equality

Contact: Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org

Washington, D.C. – Following is a statement by the Communications Workers of America on the Supreme Court’s decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s statute legalizing same-sex marriage.

Today, the Supreme Court got it right. By striking down the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court moves our nation closer to a place where the rights of all people are recognized and respected. The federal government should not support discrimination of any kind. Today’s decision that same sex couples are entitled to federal benefits opens the door to ending all discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Similarly, the Supreme Court determined that a California court’s ruling on “Proposition 8,” the law that had restricted marriage to opposite sex couples, should stand. That decision restores marriage equality as the rule in that state and means that same sex couples will be able to cast off the second class status that some have sought to keep in place.

It’s the 21st century. It’s past time to shed the prejudices that harm our society. Today’s decisions are a good step in that direction.