California Governor Jerry Brown has ordered the Department of Health ton advise county clerks and recorders to issue marriage licenses to qualified same-sex couples immediately
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this morning in Hollingsworth v. Perry, also known as the Proposition 8 case, Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA), has ordered the Department of Health (DPH) to advise county clerks and recorders in the State of California to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately.
Here’s a statement issued byGovernor Brown:
After years of struggle, the U.S. Supreme Court today has made same-sex marriage a reality in California. In light of the decision, I have directed the California Department of Public Health to advise the state’s counties that they must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in California as soon as the Ninth Circuit confirms the stay is lifted.”
Brown had been advised by Attorney General Kamala D. Harris in a letter dated June 3, 2013 to be prepared to take this step if the Supreme Court vacated the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for lack of jurisdiction. The last paragraph articulates the essential consequence of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Robert’s opinion:
If the United States Supreme Court vacates the decision of the Ninth Circuit for lack of jurisdiction, the district court’s judgement and injunction will require all county clerks and recorders throughout the state to cease enforcing or applying Proposition 8. Although the injunction does not expressly require state officials to direct counties to issue marriage licenses to qualified same-sex couples, providing such direction with DPH’s (Department of Public Health) authority, and will be necessary to avoid confusion and ensure uniform application of the state’s marriage laws.
In effect, Harris advised Brown to promptly notify the county clerks and recorders to issue marriage licenses to qualified same-sex couples, in order to avoid confusion and facilitate a seamless process.
This is how the State of California responded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in a matter of hours. Congratulations to all Californians and all those who have worked so hard to overcome the injustice of Proposition 8.
Proposition 8 rally image courtesy of Flickr!