What's also exciting is that the Court simultaneously announced it'll take up the Defense of Marriage Act. This means we'll finally get a ruling on this discriminatory law by next June.
A win in either of these cases would mark an incredible, decisive point in this movement's history, one I've been working toward since I helped bring the Prop. 8 case as co-founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights.
Extreme right-wing leaders are going to immediately rally their base around today's announcement – claiming the Court can't outpace public opinion.
Thankfully though a majority of Americans support marriage equality. We have to counteract the other side with one booming, united voice for marriage equality.
Sign HRC's Majority Opinion petition now: "We are the majority of Americans. We stand for marriage equality and the end of DOMA."
The Supreme Court has ruled 14 times that marriage is a fundamental right and with this historic first – a marriage equality case before the Supreme Court – they have a chance to move us toward a more perfect union, as they have done so many times in the past. The clock is ticking and we have little time to show the Court that if it rules in favor of marriage equality, it'll be reflecting the values of America's fair-minded majority and the momentum this cause has earned recently at the ballot box.
We've come too far to give up now. The plaintiff couples of the Prop. 8 case, Kris Perry & Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo, have won their case twice before – in a federal district court in California and again in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year. I've been amazed by their courage since we first began planning this case back in 2009.
If the Supreme Court decides in favor of equality, more than a quarter of Americans will live in states where LGBT couples can marry legally.
And if they rule DOMA unconstitutional, every single one of those couples will have the same federal rights and benefits of marriage as heterosexual couples.
This step in the Prop. 8 case is a watershed moment in the long fight for marriage equality. Our victories require hard work, smart strategy, and commitment from every supporter, so I'm glad you're here fighting for this one.
Be part of the Majority Opinion now. Stand with Kris & Sandy and Paul & Jeff as their case goes to the Supreme Court and show that public opinion lies squarely on the side of equality.
The battle may not yet be over, but our strength as a movement is growing. Justice is on our side and we won't stop until equality reaches every corner of our vast country.
The majority of Americans support marriage equality – now we have to show it.
Sign HRC's Majority Opinion petition. Stand with the Prop. 8 plaintiff couples by signing the petition now.
For the majority,
Chad Griffin
Human Rights Campaign Fund