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“Four Religions,” collage and mixed media on Masonite board by Vivian Chen See page 9
Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and the City of Signal Hill
VOL. 37 NO. 5
Your Weekly Community Newspaper
July 3, 2015
From outlawed to outcast, from legalized to constitutionalized LGBT community, its supporters, celebrate SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage Cory Bilicko Managing Editor
Jamie Brennan/Signal Tribune
A touching moment
Trinidad Marin, Jenni Rivera’s first-born son, places his hand on the mural he created to help dedicate Jenni Rivera Park on Thursday. The park is located at 2001 Walnut Ave. More photos, page 7.
The rainbow-colored flags were flying June 26, including one hoisted by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia outside City Hall at noon, in celebration of the United States Supreme Court’s decision that day legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the nation. However, local leaders who are part of or who support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people warned that the ruling is not a panacea to any and all injustices that the community experiences, and those opposed to same-sex marriage continue their mission to ensure that legal matrimony remains an institution between opposite-sex couples. In the 5–4 ruling for Obergefell v. Hodges, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion on behalf of the other four liberal justices. “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family,” Kennedy wrote. “In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.” Shortly after the ruling was announced, elected officials throughout California issued statements supporting the decision. Gov. Jerry Brown related the ruling to the anniversary of the 1969
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Stonewall riots in New York, saying that it is a reminder “of how long and winding the road to equality has been.” “Today, our highest court has upheld a principle enshrined in our Constitution,” Brown said, “but only now finally realized for same-sex couples across America.” California Attorney General Kamala Harris also showed her support of the decision. “Finally the highest court in the land has acknowledged that marriage is a fundamental right to which no one should be denied,” Harris said. “This holding reaffirms the sacred principle that all people are created equal. It’s time to end the debate– let the wedding bells ring.” Garcia called the ruling “a historic victory for equality, freedom and love” and said he couldn’t be prouder of the country. “Millions of Americans– includsee LGBT page 14
July 3 through July 7, 2015
Friday
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Photo by Leslie Lay
Amidst media and residents on June 26, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia raises a rainbow-colored flag outside City Hall in honor of the Supreme Court’s ruling that day that allows for same-sex marriage nationwide.
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