May 19, 2014

Wyden Applauds Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden issued the following statement in response to a U.S. District Court’s decision to strike down Oregon’s ban on gay marriage:

“Judge Michael McShane’s decision marks a significant moment in Oregon’s civil rights history, and it’s an important step toward equal rights for all Americans. Every American deserves the freedom to marry the person they love, and, starting today, all Oregonians will have that choice. I am proud to have stood with Oregon’s same-sex couples in this struggle for marriage equality for nearly 20 years, and it’s important to keep pushing until that right extends to all Americans.”

Wyden spoke in support of equal rights for gay couples during his first campaign for senate, and he was one of 14 senators who voted against DOMA in 1996. Wyden’s floor speech from the 1996 debate over DOMA can be found here.

Listen to Senator Wyden's statement: http://www.wyden.senate.gov/newsroom/media/wyden-applauds-same-sex-marriage-ruling