NOW Calls on Obama to Withdraw DOMA Brief and Renounce Discriminatory Law

The National Organization for Women calls on President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to withdraw the U.S. Department of Justice brief filed in support of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and to publicly renounce this discriminatory law. The brief was reportedly written by Bush administration holdovers, and if that is the case, this administration must immediately make it clear that President Obama does not support this position.

NOW Denounces California Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Prop 8: Same-Sex Couples’ Constitutional Right to Marriage Denied

Today’s decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold Prop 8 is a devastating setback, but I believe it will be another galvanizing moment in the struggle for equal marriage,” said NOW President Kim Gandy. “We commend the court for allowing to stand the 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place under the court’s earlier decision.”

NOW Mourns Passing of Longtime NOW and Lesbian Rights Activist Del Martin

NOW President Kim Gandy says, “Along with NOW activists everywhere, I am terribly saddened at the passing of longtime NOW and lesbian rights activist Del Martin. We extend our love and condolences to Del’s wife, Phyllis Lyon, who was her partner in life and in activism for more than half a century.”

California Supreme Court Rules Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Unconstitutional, NOW Says Equal Treatment is Overdue

California made history again today. In a 4-3 vote, the state’s highest court ruled that gay and lesbian couples should be granted legal rights to marriage. “The California Supreme Court did what was right, and that is to give everyone – regardless of sexual orientation – the fundamental right to civil marriage,” said NOW President Kim Gandy. “This decision will allow thousands and thousands of committed couples to be legally married in the highest populated state in our country.”