Mayor Ed Murray issued the following statement about today’s United States Supreme Court’s hearing of oral arguments about marriage equality:

“Today’s oral arguments before the Supreme Court represent an important next step in the fight for equality for all. We have seen a tremendous shift across the country following Washington State voters’ lead on marriage equality. Residents of every state must have the legal protections that our voters affirmed in 2012 as paramount to equality.

“Every American should be able to marry the person they love regardless of where they live. No one should have to choose to leave their home state for a different state to enjoy the benefits of marriage. And no family should have to turn down a job offer because an existing marriage would not be recognized in a new state.

“I strongly urge the Supreme Court of the United States to make the only logical choice. Marriage equality should be nationwide. It is the right thing to do.”