Statement by Governor on Court's Ruling on Same Sex Marriage

Statement by Governor on Court’s Ruling on Same Sex Marriage

ATLANTA– Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding the unanimous ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court. This decision overturned a lower court’s ruling that the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage was unconstitutional.

"I want to thank the court for ruling expeditiously and helping us to avoid a special session. I particularly want to thank Stefan Ritter, the attorney who argued this case.

"We’re a republic. Public officials are elected to represent the people, and we don’t use a referendum very often. But when we do use a constitutional amendment, we are very respectful of the people’s voice. This issue was put before the General Assembly and passed by a two-thirds vote in both houses. Then it was put before the people on the ballot and passed by an even greater margin.

"The benefits of marriage, as defined by the people of Georgia, are afforded to a man and a woman."

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