"Richard Adams and Tony Sullivan gay marriage case"

Reporter Mike Botula covers the legal battle being waged by Richard Adams and Tony Sullivan to have their marriage recognized by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The couple was legally married in a 1975 civil ceremony in Colorado, but Immigration refuses to recognize the marriage license and grant Tony Sullivan, an Australian citizen, permanent resident alien status. As a result, they have filed suit in the Federal District Court of Los Angeles. Adams, Sullivan and their lawyer meet with the press, where they talk about their struggle and how it has implications for both the gay and heterosexual communities. Their lawyer talks about a legal marriage being all that is required to obtain legal status as the spouse of an American citizen. Since they fundamentally meet that requirement, he believes they are being denied the equal protection guaranteed by the Constitution. Sullivan speaks briefly about gay people being capable of the same loving relationships as heterosexuals, and his deportation hearing. Footage includes shots of Sullivan and Adams at their home. Some voiceover segments are sound only and have no accompanying picture.

Note:  The KTLA newsfilm collection at UCLA consists of cut and unedited stories, outtakes and fill footage, originally shot on 16mm reversal film stock with magnetic soundtrack. Some footage, particularly material not used for broadcast, may be without sound.