Attorney General Lockyer Issues Statement In Response To Appellate Court Decision Upholding State Domestic Partner Law

Monday, April 4, 2005
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today issued the following statement in response to the Third District Court of Appeal's unanimous decision upholding California's domestic partner law in Knight v. Superior Court of Sacramento. Lockyer defended the state's domestic partner law at both the trial and appellate court levels. At oral argument before the appellate court, Lockyer shared his time with an attorney representing both Equality California and 12 same-sex couples who had intervened in defense of state law.

"I am pleased that the court has upheld the most expansive domestic partner law in the country. Today's decision not only validates the will of California voters, it also upholds the rule of law.

"California grants same-sex couples important rights and responsibilities that appropriately attach to a committed relationship. The law recognizes that couples who enter a loving relationship deserve respect and the freedom to care for and support one another without the burden of artificial restraints.

"Today's decision also underscores the value that all Californians place on loving, committed relationships - regardless of sexual orientation.

"Despite the unambiguous language of Proposition 22, some who oppose the recognition of gay and lesbian relationships have threatened the trial judge in this case, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Loren McMaster, with recall because he declined to proactively create new state policy by illogically construing the initiative to do more than its plain language demands. I am pleased that the 3rd District Court of Appeal has joined Judge McMaster in upholding the rule of law in the face of these unconscionable bullying tactics."

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