Sen. Edward Kennedy on California gay marriage ruling

Sen. Edward Kennedy (right) (D-MA) has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor after having had a seizure at home three days ago. Long a progressive stalwart in the United States Senate, he had this to say about last week's California Supreme Court ruling overturning laws that excluded same-sex couples from marriage:

KENNEDY ON CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT DECISION
May 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to the decision by the California Supreme Court overturning a previous ruling banning same-sex marriages.

"I congratulate the California Supreme Court on its recognition that true equality demands that all people have the right to marry and form families. Massachusetts has recognized the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry since 2004 and our experience has refuted the critics. We only strengthen our society when we allow all our citizens to enter into a solemn commitment to share in life’s joys and difficulties."