FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nick Velasquez
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2009

(213) 978-8340

L.A. CITY ATTORNEY ROCKY DELGADILLO CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT DECISION TO
UPHOLD PROPOSITION 8

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, who had
joined with the City and County of San Francisco and Santa Clara County
in seeking to have the State Supreme Court overturn Proposition 8, today
issued the following statement regarding the court’s 6-1 decision to
uphold the measure:

As an attorney, as a public servant, and as a Californian, to say that
I am disappointed by today’s ruling would be an understatement.

Equal protection under the law should mean just that.

The court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8 is a step backwards not
just for Gay and Lesbian rights, but for the entire Civil Rights
movement.

Nevertheless, I am proud that the Cities of Los Angeles and San
Francisco, and Santa Clara County filed this suit.

Together with Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights,
Equality California and other municipalities, we fought for fairness and
equality for all our families.

The City of Los Angeles is proud to stand with groups such as the
NAACP, MALDEF, and API Equality in this struggle, and in the fight
ahead.

And while we are thrilled that the 18,000 same-sex marriages already
performed in the state will be allowed to stand, thousands of other gays
and lesbians are today being denied the right to marry – a right they
enjoyed before the passage of Proposition 8.

Equal protection in the California Constitution should not allow a
simple majority of voters to use the amendment process to take rights
away from minority groups.

Make no mistake, each day that our gay and lesbian friends and
neighbors are denied equal protection we are all denied equal
protection.

I fully support the efforts of people across this state to restore the
true meaning of equal protection by repealing Proposition 8.

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Frank Mateljan
Press Deputy
City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo
(213) 978-8340