Richard Gere is speaking out for same-sex rights in the U.S. in support of his brother, who married during the brief period gay unions were legal in California.

Gere is outraged by the California Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold a gay marriage ban, which came into effect under the Proposition 8 legislation late last year - six months after homosexual unions were declared valid.

And he is adamant there is "no reason" why individuals like his younger brother David should be denied the same rights as straight couples.

He says, "My brother is gay and he got married in that brief period when gay marriage was allowed in California. He has two great kids and is a wonderful father."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)