Also note: A Long Beach public event is planned tonight at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St., sponsored by the LGBTQ Center. LBREPORT.com will have LIVE VIDEO WEBCAST COVERAGE of this event.

• CA Governor Jerry Brown: "After years of struggle, the U.S. Supreme Court today has made same-sex marriage a reality in California. In light of the decision, I have directed the California Department of Public Health to advise the state's counties that they must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in California as soon as the Ninth Circuit confirms the stay is lifted."

  [Release text] ...[T]he Governor has directed the California Department of Public Health to advise county officials today that the district court’s injunction against Proposition 8 applies statewide and that all county clerks and county registrar/recorders must comply with it. However, same-sex Californians will not be able to marry until the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals confirms the stay of the injunction, which has been in place throughout the appeals process, is lifted. In preparation for this outcome, Governor Brown sought an opinion from California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on whether the state, through the California Department of Public Health, can advise county clerks and registrar/recorders that they are bound by the federal district court’s ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. The Attorney General concluded that the California Department of Public Health "can and should" instruct county officials that they "must resume issuing marriage licenses to and recording the marriages of same-sex" couples. The Department will issue another letter to county officials as soon as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals confirms the stay is lifted.

• Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster: "Today is a monumental day that will change, for the better, the lives of friends and families throughout our great State and makes our Nation stronger."

• Long Beach Vice Mayor Robert Garcia: "Today is a great day for America, and for our state. Citizens across California will now have the ability to marry the person they love, and be recognized by the federal government. Long Beach has always been a welcoming place for everyone, and I look forward to welcoming same-sex couples at City Hall as they choose to marry their partners. Equality and fairness have won the day."

• Councilman Patrick O'Donnell:: "This is a monumental day for California and for our country. There was no rational, moral or legal basis to reject same-sex marriage and to deny this right is to deny the principles of our Constitution. The Supreme Court has affirmed the fight our LGBTQ community has fought for years. Today we celebrate marriage equality."

• Congressman Alan Lowenthal: "The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold equality for all Americans, especially my constituents and friends in California, starts to close a dark chapter in the our nation’s journey to ensure equal protection under the law. This is the kind of protection and judicial action all Americans deserve.

  "The unconstitutionality of DOMA and Prop 8 further proves the shifting mindsets of the American people. I applaud the Supreme Court for their decisions, and I wish to congratulate all of our LGBT citizens and equal rights advocates for showing no fear in the face of discrimination.

  "Despite these successes, I am committed to working with the Administration to strengthen federal protections for couples living in states that do not recognize their marriages; the federal government must ensure that these couples receive the federal recognition and respect that they deserve. Although this was a huge win, the fight for true equality for all Americans still pushes on."

• Ron Sylvester, President & Chairman of the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach: "History has been made today. Today's Supreme Court ruling restores marriage equality in California. Now same-sex couples can legally marry in 13 states and Washington, DC, and more than 93 million Americans -- nearly a third of the country -- live in a jurisdiction with the freedom to marry. In addition, by striking down DOMA, the Supreme Court affirms that all loving and committed couples who marry deserve equal legal respect and treatment. Today's victory also adds momentum to the work to win marriage equality in other states. We look forward to the day when loving couples in all 50 states can share these rights. The Center will also continue to fight to achieve full legal and social equality for all of our community including our transgender brothers and sisters, and our LGBTQ youth who are disproportionally impacted by bullying, harassment, and suicide."

• Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom: "As I sat in the chamber of the U.S. Supreme Court this morning, I took a moment to savor this final step in the long march towards justice. It is truly an emotionally staggering day.

  "When the city of San Francisco started on this journey in 2004, we were very aware that marrying same-sex couples would lead to litigation. We were also cognizant that we could have moved forward with a legal battle without challenging state law. But discrimination and inequality is as much about people as it is the law, and in marrying Phyllis Lyon and the late Del Martin, a loving committed couple of 50 years, we put a human face to marriage inequality.

  "The human faces - mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, grandchildren - have turned the cultural and political tide of this country. The monumental shift in public opinion during the last decade is a tribute to the hard work of LGBT activists and allies who continue to battle at the ballot box for equal treatment under the law - state-by-state, vote-by-vote. LGBT communities across this nation have won over individuals of all religious and political persuasions by rationally advancing that there is no basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of the basic rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

  "I salute Ted Olson, David Boies and the American Federation for Equal Rights as well as Dennis Herrera, Therese Stewart and the staff of San Francisco City Attorney's Office for their tireless passion and staunch commitment as the fight maneuvered through the legal system. Olson's pointed argument before the Justices of the Supreme Court was eloquent and persuasive, establishing a powerful narrative for equal treatment under law.

  "We are on the verge of the ultimate victory for same-sex couples. Now, as we patiently await the final verdict by the Supreme Court, I believe that a majority of justices will validate that those who yearn to live in loving, committed relationships can do so without the stain of discrimination.

  "Finally."

Further to follow on LBREPORT.com.

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