Amnesty International Urges California Supreme Court to Overturn Prop
8 and Restore Marriage Equality

(Washington)—This week, the California Supreme Court will hear a case
challenging the validity of Proposition 8- a ballot initiative that
eliminated the existing right of same-sex couples to marry. On Tuesday
(March 3) before the court hearing, Dalia Hashad, Amnesty
International USA Policy Director on Identity-based Discrimination,
released the following statement:
“Amnesty International opposes discrimination in civil marriage. But
this case is not just about same-sex marriage.  It is about the basic
human right to be treated equally under the law, without regard to an
individual's sexual orientation, race, religion or gender.  States
should never withhold rights based on minority status.  Denying equal
civil recognition of same-sex relationships compounds the effects of
discrimination, undermines other rights, such as the right to housing
or social security and tragically, stigmatizes those relationships in
ways that can fuel further discrimination.  The message that the court
needs to give is clear:  allowing discrimination against any group,
puts all groups at risk.   Discrimination by any means, even majority
vote, is unacceptable. The court should put this right by striking
down Proposition 8 and affirming equality."
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots
activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists
and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights
worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates
and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever
justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
# # #
For more information, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org.