Assembly Member Gordon Reacts To U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Written by Vanessa Castañeda

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Wednesday that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, a declaration that pleased local elected officials and changes the way some lead their lives. 

California Assembly Member Rich Gordon (D-24) is the Chair of The Legislature's LGBT Caucus. He lives with his husband in unincorporated Menlo Park.

Gordon said today's decision is a positive development for civil rights.

“The tide has been moving over the past several years toward greater equality, more justice and greater recognition of our individual differences,” Gordon told Patch.  “And today’s rulings push that tide forward, but it’s just a part of the process," he said when asked to comment about legislation he authored thatencourages health care providers to have cultural sensitivity.   

At its essence, the DOMA decision means that if you live in a state that has approved same-sex marriage, the federal government must recognize that. About 18,000 people in California are in same-sex marriages, according to Steve Epstein, Marriage Equality USA Spokesperson. Prior to this historic ruling, people in same-sex marriages were not able to put their significant others on their healthcare plans. This decision also impacts the way people file their taxes. 

Gordon said it would indeed be changing the way he files his.

“We’ve been in this odd situation where we file in California as a married couple, but we’ve had to file federal tax forms as two single individuals,” he said. “We will be changing the way we file our federal tax forms.”    

Gordon said he would be spending the day by working at his office in Sacramento and perhaps attending a celebration after he concludes his duties. 

Rich Gordon represents California’s 24th District which encompasses Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, North Fair Oaks, Atherton, Sunnyvale, and the San Mateo Coastside from El Granada and Half Moon Bay to the Santa Cruz County border.