Extra

Between meetings today,Councilman Kriss Worthington told the Planet about his reaction to today’s decision to overturn Proposition 8. 

Said Worthington: “It’s a beautiful thing. Civil rights and civil liberties are frequently won in the courts before they are won at the ballot.” Reflecting on his long history of involvement with civil rights struggles he adds that today’s outcome is “continuing a long trend”. 

“There is a unique Berkeley angle [aside from two plaintiffs being from Berkeley],” he added. “Shortly after I was elected, in 1997, I introduced the idea that Berkeley should endorse marriage equality. We did not seem to have the votes at that time.” Worthington and additional supporters met with clergy and other community leaders. By 1998 the time was ripe and by an 8-1 vote, Berkeley became the first city in the US to endorse marriage equality for same-sex couples, Worthington proudly recalls. 

“There is a large contingent in Berkeley who went to San Francisco around 3 today to celebrate,” he said. When asked if he would be joining them he quipped: “Believe it or not I still do prioritize. I have one more meeting and some other [city business] to attend to today. And then, yes, I’ll [go celebrate].”