A forum discussing legal issues that affect LGBT families was hosted March 15 at Jane Addams Hull House Center for Arts & Culture. The guest speaker at the event was Camilla Taylor, a staff attorney for the Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund.
Among the topics discussed was the March 14 ruling by San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer—a Catholic Republican—that California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional; in doing so, Kramer compared the ban to laws requiring racial segregation in schools, and said there seemed to be 'no rational purpose' for denying marriage to gay and lesbian couples.
Taylor commented that the ruling was 'an amazing victory ruled on two grounds. One, that it is irrational; there is no justification whatsoever for denying gays and lesbians the right to marry under the Equal Protection Clause. The other thing [ Kramer ] ruled was that [ the denial ] constitutes sex discrimination under the California Constitution.'
Other topics that were discussed ranged from family medical leave to the Defense of Marriage Act.
The forum was held in connection with the 'Just Married' photo exhibit at the center. The exhibit showcases dozens of photographs taken during the 29 days last year that San Francisco offered same-sex marriages. The images will be displayed through March 31.
Among the people featured are celebrity Rosie O' Donnell, who married Kelli Carpenter, as well as Chicago couple John Pennycuff and Robert Castillo. 'What we're seeing in these images is a lot of the emotion. What's expressed here is what it feels like to have a taste of equality,' Taylor said.
The discussion was co-sponsored by groups including Amigas Latinas, Chicago NOW, Equality Illinois, and Gay Liberation Network.