After the U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments yesterday about the federal Proposition 8 lawsuit, movie director and American Foundation for Equal Rights board member Rob Reiner, California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, and others weighed in about the historic proceeding.

“This case has always been about the love shared by two individuals and about the central promise from our nation's founding that all men are created equal and are endowed with inalienable rights, including the pursuit of happiness,” says Reiner in a press statement.

The U.S. Supreme Court also released an audio tape of the hearing.

Reiner, director of such films as The American President and A Few Good Men, also says, “I'm proud of the powerful argument presented today by our legal team, and the courage and perseverance displayed by our plaintiffs over these last four years. I, along with millions of other Americans, look forward to the decision in June and believe the Supreme Court will come down on the side of fairness, dignity and equality.”

California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who attended the hearing in Washington D.C. and described it as an “emotionally staggering day,” says in a press release, “LGBT communities across this nation have won over individuals of all religious and political persuasions by rationally advancing that there is no basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of the basic rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.”

He adds, “Now, as we patiently await the final verdict by the Supreme Court, I believe that a majority of justices will validate that those who yearn to live in loving, committed relationships can do so without the stain of discrimination.”

John Lewis, legal director at Marriage Equality USA, says in a press statement, “These cases are ultimately about our common humanity, our common instinct to love and to have kin, and what should be our common freedom under the Constitution to marry the person we love. Listening to today's argument we are hopeful that the justices see our common humanity and will rule in favor the freedom to marry.”

Karen England of the Sacramento-based Capitol Resource Group, an organization that wants to maintain the gay marriage ban in California, asked supporters in an email to “pray for wisdom for the Supreme Court and those who are representing traditional marriage.”

Kris Perry, one of the California plaintiffs in the Prop. 8 lawsuit, who wants to legally marry her longtime partner Sandy Stier, says in a press statement, “Today is a monumental day, not just for Sandy and me, but for the millions of other Americans across the country who have waited for years for the Supreme Court to consider whether they too should enjoy the right to marry.”

She adds, “Witnessing today's proceedings gives me hope that our four sons, and kids across America, will soon live in a country where love and equality prevail.”

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to come back with a decision in June.

Read more L.A. Weekly Proposition 8 coverage:

“USC Expert David Cruz Predicts Prop. 8 Supreme Court Decision is Unlikely to Make History” and…

“Why Los Angeles Deserves Major Credit for the National Gay Marriage Movement.”

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.

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