Press Release

(New York, March 1, 2012) Today, Governor Martin O’Malley signed the Maryland marriage equality bill into law, adding the state to the growing list of U.S. jurisdictions granting marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart made the following statement:

"It's a great day for equality in Maryland. The state is indeed stronger today with marriage equality for same-sex couples and their families.

(San Francisco, February 24, 2012) - Lawyers representing the majority leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives today filed a notice of appeal of the U.S. District Court's ruling Wednesday declaring a key section of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Tara Borelli issued the following statement:

(San Francisco, February 22, 2012) – U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey S. White today ruled the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, declaring that the discriminatory federal statute violated the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equality. Lambda Legal and Morrison & Foerster LLP brought the case on behalf of Karen Golinski, a federal court employee denied spousal health coverage for her wife.

(Trenton, February 21, 2012) – In response to the plaintiff’s request for reconsideration, a New Jersey Superior Court today reinstated the federal equal protection claim in Lambda Legal’s case seeking marriage equality on behalf of Garden State Equality and seven same-sex couples and their children harmed by the state’s unequal civil union system.

(Annapolis, February 17, 2012) - Today, the Maryland House voted to pass the marriage equality bill, overcoming a major barrier to same-sex couples being able to marry in the state. Lambda Legal urges the Senate to follow. The Governor is expected to sign the bill once it is passed by both chambers.

Lambda Legal Executive Director, Kevin Cathcart, made the following statement: 

(Nueva York, 14 de febrero de 2012) - Hoy, Lambda Legal anunció que ha agregado un nuevo recurso para Puerto Rico en su página web, para que los miembros de la comunidad LGBT y personas con el VIH en Puerto Rico puedan acceder información completa sobre sus derechos y las leyes que existen en la isla.

(New York, February 14, 2012) - Today, Lambda Legal announced that it has added resources for Puerto Rico on its website, so members of the LGBT community and those with HIV in Puerto Rico can find comprehensive information about their rights and about the laws in place to protect them in the commonwealth.

(Olympia, WA, February 13, 2012) -- As expected, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed the marriage equality bill passed last week by the Washington state legislature, adding Washington to the growing number of states where same-sex couples may marry.

Lambda Legal National Marriage Project Director Camilla Taylor issued the following statement after today's signing ceremony in Olympia: