News & Commentary

We have great news! On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court ruled that the state may no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage. Brought on behalf of twelve same-sex couples, it charged that barring same-sex couples from marriage violates the state constitution's guarantee of equality. California now affords all loving couples equal protection under the law.

https://www.aclunc.org/issues/lgbt/asset_upload_file353_6683.jpg" />The California Supreme Court heard arguments on March 4 that everyone in the state should be able to build loving families and enjoy the honor, commitment, dignity and security that come with marriage.

The ACLU of Southern California's board of directors has elected actor and activist Alan Toy as its next president. He is the first disabled person to lead the ACLU/SC's board of directors, and he has been a strong advocate for disability rights within the ACLU as a member of its national board of directors.

SAN FRANCISCO -- In a brief filed today with the California Supreme Court, attorneys representing same-sex couples, Equality California and Our Family Coalition urged the court to strike down as unconstitutional a law that bars same-sex couples from marriage. The couples and organizations are represented by lead counsel the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Heller Ehrman LLP, and the Law Office of David C. Codell.

SACRAMENTO - Equality California (EQCA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, Southern California and San Diego announced today the joint sponsorship of a bill that would allow domestic partners and married spouses equal opportunity, regardless of gender, to change their surnames upon marriage or domestic partnership registration.

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ORANGE, Calif. - The trial of an Orange County teenager who filed a lawsuit last year against the Garden Grove Unified School District in an effort to stop discrimination and harassment of gay and lesbian students on campus concluded Tuesday.

The ACLU/SC went to federal court to protect the rights of gay and lesbian high school students in Garden Grove. Charlene Nguon, a straight-A student in the top 5 percent of her class, was singled out for punishment after she hugged her girlfriend on campus. School administrators suspended her from school and outed her to her parents. She lost a chance at National Honor Society.