Showing support for a cause close to her heart,
Ellen DeGeneres posted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of gay marriage on her show’s Facebook page on Friday (March 1).
Married to actress Porta DeRossi for four years, the talk show
comedian urged the court to overturn California’s Proposition 8, which
prohibits gay marriage in California.
In typical Ellen fashion, the 55-year-old began the letter with a
little humor, “California’s Proposition 8 is headed to the Supreme
Court. Hundreds of companies and families as well as Republicans are
submitting briefs urging the 9 judges to allow gay people to marry. I
thought that was ridiculous. Why would judges want all of that
underwear? Then, after a quick talk with some people, I found out what a
brief was.”
She wrapped up the poignant message with “I hope the Supreme Court
will do the right thing, and let everyone enjoy the same rights. It’s
going to help keep families together. It’s going to make kids feel
better about who they are. And it is time.”
Check out the full text of Ellen’s message to the Supreme Court below.
California’s Proposition 8 is headed to the Supreme Court. Hundreds
of companies and families as well as Republicans are submitting briefs
urging the 9 judges to allow gay people to marry. I thought that was
ridiculous. Why would judges want all of that underwear? Then, after a
quick talk with some people, I found out what a brief was.
I’ve never filed a brief to the Supreme Court, so I thought I would post mine here. I’m sure someone will tweet it to them.
Portia and I have been married for 4 years and they have been the
happiest of my life. And in those 4 years, I don’t think we hurt anyone
else’s marriage. I asked all of my neighbors and they say they’re fine.
But even though Portia and I got married in the short period of time
when it was legal in California, there are 1,138 federal rights for
married couples that we don’t have, including some that protect married
people from losing their homes, or their savings or custody of their
children.
The truth is, Portia and I aren’t as different from you as you might
think. We’re just trying to find happiness in the bodies and minds we
were given, like everyone else.
Coming out was one of the hardest things I ever did. I didn’t intend
to be on the cover of Time magazine saying, “Yep, I’m gay.” The truth
is, I don’t even remember saying that. I mean, I definitely said the
“I’m gay” part. It’s the “yep” I don’t remember. I’m not really a “yep”
person. “Yes siree Bob” maybe. But not “yep.”
In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “We’re here, we’re queer, get over
it.” And there’s another famous quote that says “A society is judged by
how it treats its weakest members.” I couldn’t agree with that more. No
one’s really sure who said it first, so if anyone asks, tell them I
said it.
I hope the Supreme Court will do the right thing, and let everyone
enjoy the same rights. It’s going to help keep families together. It’s
going to make kids feel better about who they are. And it is time.
*I was just told Benjamin Franklin did not say that first quote. I apologize and see that I have a lot to learn about stuff.
