RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SAME SEX CIVIL MARRIAGES WITH FULL EQUALITY OF RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS ANY HETEROSEXUAL CIVIL MARRIAGE

January 2006

HCDCC endorsed the following resolution, recently passed by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.
(text from eqca.org)

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SAME SEX CIVIL MARRIAGES WITH FULL EQUALITY
OF RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS ANY HETEROSEXUAL CIVIL MARRIAGE.

WHEREAS, the County of Humboldt has, by local policy, ordinance and
practice, shown its commitment to fair and equitable treatment of all
persons regardless of gender or sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS, the County of Humboldt is home to numerous families headed by
same sex couples, many with children; and

WHEREAS, both the United States Constitution and California
Constitution clearly state no laws will be made or enforced that
abridge the privileges and immunities of its citizens and residents;
and

WHEREAS, both the United States Constitution and California
Constitution clearly state that no person within its jurisdiction will
be denied equal protection under their laws; and

WHEREAS, the right to marry is recognized under the United States
Constitution as a fundamental liberty interest; and

WHEREAS, providing equal access to civil marriage will not require
religious institutions to perform or recognize marriages that conflict
with their particular religious traditions or beliefs; and

WHEREAS, the opportunity to publicly and legally commit to share one’s
life with a person of one’s choice is for many people one of the most
central aspects of human experience; and the denial of marriage to
same sex couples is a denial of fundamental civil rights; and

WHEREAS, denying civil marriage to individuals who are gay or lesbian
deprives them of state and federal rights, privileges, immunities,
protections and responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, families headed by gay or lesbians deserve the same rights
and legal protections as other families under the law, including the
protection of their spousal rights and privileges and protection of
their children’s economic interests by ensuring their access to the
resource of both parents; and

WHEREAS, the inability to access these legal protections may result in
significant harm to these individuals and families, including
financial insecurity, deprivation of real property interests, lack of
retirement and death benefits and lack of standing in access to family
court for dissolution; and

WHEREAS, no resident of the County of Humboldt should be refused equal
protection under the law; and

WHEREAS, discriminatory laws undermine the State of California’s
commitment to equality, privacy, liberty and justice for all of its
citizens, as well as undermining civil marriage itself.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County of Humboldt declares
its support for civil marriage licenses and any enactments which
codify civil marriage equality for all couples residing in California
who are citizens of the United States; and requests our elected
representatives in State and Federal government to act with vigor to
develop laws to allow same sex marriage, defend same sex civil
marriages and protect the fundamental liberties of all families.

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