Praise: Lambda Legal Sues in Nevada

The march toward fully equality for the LGBTQ Community continues with Lambda Legal's lawsuit, filed 10 April 2012 in the United States District Court for Nevada.  From the press release:

“Every day that same-sex couples in Nevada are denied marriage equality, the government sends a message that their families are not worthy of equal dignity and respect,’” said Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Tara Borelli.

In the lawsuit, Lambda Legal, joined by pro bono co-counsel from O’Melveny & Myers LLP and Snell & Wilmer LLP, argues that the Nevada constitutional amendment barring same-sex couples from marriage violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The lead plaintiffs, Beverly Sevcik, 73, and Mary Baranovich, 76, of Carson City, have been together for nearly 41 years and committed their lives to each other in October, 1971. Together, they raised three children, and they are now proud grandmothers of four grandchildren.

Equality is important not just for Ms. Sevcik and Ms. Baranovich but also for their children and grandchildren.  End of life healthcare and inheritance are among the issues of concern.

The other plaintiffs in the case are: Antioco Carrillo and Theo Small of Las Vegas, who have been together since 2006; Fletcher Whitwell and Greg Flamer of Las Vegas, who have been together for 14 years and adopted a baby girl last year; Karen Goody and Karen Vibe of Reno, who have been engaged since 2005; Mikyla and Katie Miller of Reno, who are expecting a baby girl in July; Adele Terranova and Tara Newberry of Las Vegas, who are raising two children; Caren and Farrell Cafferata-Jenkins of Carson City, who have been together for 15 years and are raising two sons; and Megan Lanz and Sara Geiger of Las Vegas, who have been together since 2004 and have a daughter.

Lambda Legal has been doing important work for a long time.  They were responsible for striking down anti-sodomy laws in Lawrence v. Texas.  Their importance of their efforts to gain civil and human rights for the LGBTQ Community cannot be overstated.