Prop 8 Federal Lawsuit Could Set the Cause Back

Nine prominent LGBT organizations issued a joint release today urging caution in challenging Proposition 8 in federal courts.

The joint statement by the ACLU, Equality Federation, Freedom to Marry, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force urges those in favor of marriage equality to go back to the voters. While it may be "tempting to at least try a federal lawsuit first," the statement reads, "...it’s a temptation we should resist."

It is by no means clear that a federal challenge to Prop. 8 can win now. And an unsuccessful challenge may delay marriage even longer, not only in California but in other states, and seriously damage the rights of LGBT people on many other important issues.

Read the full release, below.

For more information, go to ACLU's national website.

Joint Release on Federal Challenge to Prop 8

Prop 8 fed lawsuit as setback.pdf