Ms. Tyler, with partner Diane Olson, became the first lesbian couple married in Los Angeles County (May 2008) after their lawsuit prevailed in the CA Supreme Court...after which CA voters passed Proposition 8 which ended the short lived window for CA same-sex marriages.

Ms. Tyler (who led an inaugural "Dyke March" during Long Beach Pride Week in January) prefaced her comments with the caveat that at early morning she hadn't yet read the full Court opinions or spoken with a lawyer on the rulings...but said she was pleased that Prop 8 had fallen and along with portions of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

However she also reiterated her frequently stated view that the movement's focus should remain on ensuring marriage equality not just in California but nationwide.

To hear salient portions of her remarks, click here.

UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: Ms. Tyler issued the following written statement at midafternoon:

[begin Tyler written statement] Diane and I were thrilled that DOMA was struck down, and that we and other same-sex married couples, including those in the military, will receive Federal Benefits. We hope this will solve the problem for the tens of thousands of bi-national couples.

However, we were less excited about Proposition 8 not being ruled on because of "lack of legal standing." Yes, we are very excited that the freedom to marry will return to California. (Although we still worry and wonder why the case wasn't filed on behalf of the two terrific couples and as a class action suit as well?) This could possibly mean that someone might challenge the ruling as just applying to these 2 couples, or at least leave it open to interpretation.

The Supreme Court ruling on Prop 8 was extremely narrow which is why some of the liberal justices disagreed. In effect, rather then ruling, they just sent it back to California. Then why did the justices accept the case?

All of the major figures in the mid-20th century African American Civil rights movements firmly rejected that notion of 'states rights,' because they knew that enshrining 'states rights' over 'civil rights' would only delay full equality.

We know this also. So while we celebrate today, we know of the tremendous amount of work that has to be done. Yesterday's reversal of the successful 'voting rights act' shows how easily rights can be reversed.

So, now, more then ever, we need to keep fighting, not just for the freedom to marry nationally, but for ENDA, housing, and a comprehensive national civil rights bill that protects our entire community. Because Justice is not about Just Us.

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