Asm. Laird Statement on Same-sex Marriage Ruling

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember and LGBT Caucus Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today released the following statement in response to the California Supreme Court ruling today in favor of same-sex marriage:

“Today the California Supreme Court took an important and historic step forward for equality for all Californians.  As an Assemblymember and chair of the legislature’s LGBT Caucus, I’m thrilled with this morning’s court ruling because it is a victory for fairness and opportunity in California. 

Clearly, today is a day to celebrate.  Two people in a committed and trusting relationship deserve the opportunity for dignity and support that come with marriage. But we must also stay focused on the struggle to maintain the rights that have now been validated by the state Supreme Court.  The momentum generated today will be needed to stop the ballot measure that may be on this November’s ballot.  

The Court did its job today, ensuring that all Californians are treated fairly and equally under the law.” 

Assemblymember Laird is the author of four bills signed into law that protect and strengthen civil rights in California.  He is also the author of a fifth such bill, the Civil Rights Act of 2008, which is currently being considered in the legislature.

Before being elected to the Assembly, Mr. Laird served two terms on the Santa Cruz City Council including two terms as Mayor, becoming one of the first openly gay mayors in the United States.  A former executive director of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project, he has been a leader on HIV/AIDS issues, particularly state funding for programs and services. In 2003, he successfully advocated against the proposal to require a co-pay for participants in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).  And in 2004, he championed the cause to defeat a proposal to place an enrollment cap on ADAP. Mr. Laird also led the effort to restore funding for the Therapeutic Monitoring Program, and he was a joint author of a bill which created a pilot program for pharmacies that service Medi-Cal HIV/AIDS patients to evaluate the effectiveness of medication therapy management services. In 2005, Mr. Laird fought to include in the 2005 Budget Act an augmentation to restore HIV Education and Prevention funding for various local health jurisdictions to 2001-02 funding levels.