California Supreme Court voids same-sex marriages; UUA President issues statement

(August 12, 2004) In a 5-2 vote, the justices of the California Supreme Court moved to nullify the 3,995 same sex marriages peformed in San Francisco between February 12 and March 11, 2004, when a court ruling halted the weddings. The legality of those unions, wrote Justice Joyce Kennard, must wait until courts resolve the constitutionality of state laws that restrict marriages to opposite-sex couples. The Court held that the city of San Francisco had violated the law when it issued marriage certificates, sanctioned by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, since both existing legislation and a voter-approved measure defined marriage as a union between a man and woman.

The court did not rule on whether the California Constitution would permit a same-sex marriage, ruling instead on whether local officials could bypass state judicial and legislative branches. In the decision issued, California Chief Justice Ronald George noted that the ruling doesn't address "the substantive legal rights of same sex couples. In actuality, the legal issue before us implicates the interest of all individuals in ensuring that public officials execute their official duties in a manner that respects the limits of the authorities granted to them as officeholders."

On learning of the decision, UUA President William G. Sinkford issued a statement which said, in part, "In light of the California Supreme Court's ruling, I wish to offer my support to the thousands of brave couples who were married in San Francisco earlier this year. We honor their efforts to gain the freedom to legally care for their partners, a freedom that I believe to be a fundamental civil right. These couples bear witness to the enduring personal and social significance of marriage. I call upon people of faith to continue to uphold and honor this vital institution, while working to ensure equal access to all loving and committed couples who wish to enter into it."

Related Links:
President Sinkford's complete statement on the California court ruling
Read the complete California Supreme Court decision
The struggle for equal marriage in California: special state coverage
UUA's support of Freedom to Marry for all people

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