Linda Sánchez Statement on Marriage Equality (May 9, 2012)

CongresswomanApplauds President for Supporting Same-Sex Marriage

Washington, DC –Today, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39)released the following statement after President Obama announced his supportfor same-sex marriage in an interview with ABC News.

"I applaud President Obama for endorsing same-sexmarriage," said Congresswoman Sánchez. "If we truly believe in theConstitution, it's clear that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenderedindividuals deserve equal rights. They deserve the right to stand infront of family and friends and proclaim their love and devotion for each otherin a ceremony recognized in the eyes of the law. We have a long way to gobefore we achieve full equality for the LGBT community, but today'sannouncement by the President puts us one step closer."

Background

Two weeks ago, Congresswoman Sánchez introduced the SocialSecurity Equality Act of 2012 (H.R. 4609) which would end a Social SecurityAdministration discriminatory policy that denies benefits to same-sexcouples. H.R. 4609 would require the Social Security Administration toprovide same-sex couples with the same spousal, survivor and death benefitstheir heterosexual counterparts receive. Congresswoman Sánchez introducedthe Social Security Equality Act of 2010 in the previous session of Congress.

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