Rabbi David Saperstein: This progress has been a long time coming and brings our country closer to fully reflecting our founding values of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for all.
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Washington, D.C. February 15th, 2012 - In response to the enactment of marriage equality legislation in Washington State, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
"We applaud Washington State for passing long overdue marriage equality legislation. This achievement ensures that loving same-sex couples in that state are granted the same responsibilities, protections and benefits of the law granted to their heterosexual peers. This progress has been a long time coming and brings our country closer to fully reflecting our founding values of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for all.
"Washington's achievement is an important step forward for equality for lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans. However, it is not the end of the road. Loving same-sex couples are still denied the federal benefits that are accorded to opposite-sex couples because of the discriminatory 'Defense of Marriage Act.' As we celebrate this history-making legislation in Washington, we also look forward to a future in which all Americans are treated with dignity and respect by all levels of our government."
