Westside Officials Applaud DOMA, Prop. 8 Rulings

By Matthew Sanderson

Bill Rosendahl, Mike Bonin and other Westside officials reacted and issued statements to Wednesday's U.S. Supreme Court rulings, which cleared the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California, ruling that supporters of Proposition 8 lacked standing to appeal lower court rulings that deemed the state's voter-approved measure unconstitutional.

"This is a monumental victory for California and the nation," said District 11 City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, Los Angeles' first openly gay city councilman. "The Supreme Court has decided to let our previous victory stand. This means that same sex couples in a committed relationship in California can marry the ones they love. When can marriage start? We're in the process of getting our basic civil and human rights. There are logistics that have to be worked out. But the good news is my sisters and brothers in the LGBT community will now see their dreams realized of marrying the ones they love." 

“I welcome and applaud the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court with a full heart and tears in my eyes," said District 11 City Councilman-elect Mike Bonin. "But I want to offer the biggest salute and the deepest thanks to the plaintiffs in these cases, and to the generations of activists and organizers who refused to accept second-class citizenship, who demanded full freedom and equality under the law, and who moved hearts and minds through their personal stories and actions. Today is a victory for a movement, and it proves that people united can force dramatic change."

"Today we have taken another momentous step on the path to full equality and dignity for all Californians and all Americans," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "By striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, the Supreme Court has affirmed a basic American truth: bigotry and bias have no place in our laws. And with the court's decision on Prop. 8, California is poised to become the 13th state in America with full marriage equality. Today we celebrate a victory for love and fairness, a victory for same-sex couples who only want to follow their hearts and marry the person they love. As we move closer to a more perfect union, we will continue to make our case: If we truly believe in family values, we should value all families." 

“Today is a great day for equal justice under the law," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky. "The Supreme Court rulings are a victory for the right of gays and lesbians to marry the person they love. The affirmation of this fundamental right is a long overdue and welcome one. The Court’s essential message is this: Equal justice under the law applies to everyone in our society, without regard to race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. As such, today’s decisions are also a victory for equal rights for all Americans. When one individual, or one group of citizens, is denied this fundamental constitutional protection, all of our rights are jeopardized. When one of us is picked on or discriminated against, all of us are vulnerable to the same treatment. The ruling on DOMA could not be clearer: Gays and lesbians are entitled to the same constitutional protections as everyone else. While the decision on Proposition 8 ensures the right of gays and lesbians to marry in California, it is now inevitable that the rest of the country will, in due course, be afforded the same constitutional right. I’m disappointed that, well into the 21st century, these rights were only upheld by only the slimmest of majorities. But today’s rulings taken together constitute a giant step forward in our republic’s journey to a more perfect union.”

“I applaud the U.S. Supreme Court for its courageous and historic rulings today," said Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica). "These dual rulings will give respect and dignity to millions of gay and lesbian Americans.  The decision is pivotal for Californians and a historic step forward in the struggle for full marriage equality across the country.”
- City News Service contributed to this report.