Attorney General Loretta Lynch on
Tuesday said that she and the Department of Justice are committed to
gay rights.
“I am committed – as is this
department – to ensuring equal dignity and equal treatment for all
members of society, regardless of sexual orientation,” she said in
a statement.
Lynch released the statement on the
same day that the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging
bans on gay marriage in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky and Michigan.
(Related: Supreme
Court justices appear divided on gay marriage.)
“As we argue today before the Supreme
Court, same-sex couples deserve that treatment now,” she added.
On Monday, The 55-year-old Lynch was
sworn in as the nation's 83rd attorney general and the
first African-American woman to hold the position. She replaces Eric
Holder, who strongly supported gay rights.