“I am encouraged by Judge Walker’s ruling last week because it affirms the equality owed to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in California and across the country.

While his decision has been appealed, I support calls to reinstate marriage rights for LGBT people in California in the interim. These loving and committed couples wrongly had their rights removed in 2008, and in light of Judge Walker’s decision marriage rights should be immediately restored.

As the Proposition 8 case moves through the courts, I remain cautiously optimistic that justice will be served. The legal process may be out of our hands but we each have a role to continue educating our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors about the need for marriage equality. These individual conversations will change hearts and minds no matter what happens in the courtroom.”