San Francisco, CA – Today San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer is hearing a second day of oral arguments on whether same-sex couples in California should be allowed to marry. Liberty Counsel is representing Campaign for California Families (“CCF”) and its founder, Randy Thomasson in the case. Rena Lindevaldsen, Senior Litigation Counsel for Liberty Counsel, is presenting oral argument on behalf of CCF.

Last February, the California marriage laws came under attack when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom broke the law and began to arbitrarily issue same-sex marriage licenses. Liberty Counsel filed suit on behalf of CCF against Mayor Newsom. In July, the California Supreme Court ruled that Newsom had no authority to issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples and found such licenses to be null and void. However, several lawsuits filed by same-sex marriage advocates are still pending which challenge the constitutionality of California’s marriage laws.

The arguments today center on whether California’s marriage laws, which clearly limit marriage to one man and one woman, are constitutional. Liberty Counsel’s brief filed with the Court argues that limiting marriage to between one man and one woman is not discriminatory and is backed by undeniable evidence. Studies and evidence presented in the brief clearly demonstrate that children do best when raised in a home with a mother and a father. Liberty Counsel’s brief stated, “In endorsing same-sex marriage, law and government will be making a powerful statement: Our government no longer believes children deserve mothers and fathers.”

Rena Lindevaldsen stated, “It is proven that children who are raised in homes by a mother and a father, which by nature is the only coupling able to produce children, are in the most healthy and stable environment.” Mathew Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated, “The definition of marriage is not up for grabs in America. Legislatures and electorates throughout the Unites States have steadfastly maintained the traditional definition of marriage. Pro-family groups across the nation have mobilized and are fighting to protect the sanctity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The people of California voted overwhelmingly to protect marriage as one man and one woman. We will not allow their voices to be stifled by endless court battles which seek to overthrow common sense and the will of the people.”