California Supreme Court Fails to Overturn Proposition 8

The California Supreme Court today let stand Proposition 8, continuing marriage discrimination in California. The Court refused to undo the 18,000 marriages that same-sex couples celebrated in 2008, so that those couples remain married even while other California couples are, for now, barred from joining in marriage.

As the groundwork for a new ballot initiative to restore the freedom to marry in California and overturn Proposition 8 begins, rallies and opportunities for people to voice their disapproval of this decision and get involved with efforts to overturn this discrimination will take place across the state of California and the entire country over the next week. Learn more here

Maine Becomes Fifth State to End Gay Couples' Exclusion from Marriage

Maine's Governor John Baldacci signed into law a freedom to marry bill overwhelmingly approved by the Senate and House. Maine now joins Iowa, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut in ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage.

• New Hampshire will send a House and Senate-approved bill to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage to the Governor's desk soon.
• New York's Assembly passed a marriage equality bill and now it awaits Senate action.

Have You Had a Conversation About Marriage Equality Lately?

Having a conversation with your friends and family about why marriage equality matters to you is the single most important action everyone can take toward achieving equality for all families. If you've already started having them, then here's the latest news to prompt more conversation. If not, then get talking. Learn how to start a conversation here.

Which state will have the freedom to marry next—New Hampshire, Maine or New York?

• New Hampshire will send a House and Senate-approved bill to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage to the Governor's desk this week for signature.
  
• Maine's House is expected to vote on a Senate-approved marriage equality bill early this week.
  
• New York's Assembly passed a marriage equality bill out of committee and a full Assembly vote is expected soon.
  

Marriages Begin and Ad Released in Iowa, Advances in Other States

It's a day of celebration! Today, gay couples in Iowa will start applying for marriage licenses. Families will rejoice as couples celebrate their love for each other through the freedom to marry.

One Iowa, the leading LGBT advocacy organization in Iowa, released an ad last week as part of a broad public education plan to protect the freedom to marry from those who would strip these freedoms from the Constitution. The ad, "This Place" features Iowa scenes and Iowa families, and speaks to the traditional Iowa values of freedom and fairness. View the ad online here and help to keep it on the air!

Over the last few weeks, we've also seen advances in New Hampshire, Maine, andNew York.

Freedom to Marry Launches Voices for Equality Program

We are proud to announce the creation of a new program—Voices for Equality—an online record of prominent Americans who have spoken out against discrimination in marriage. From religious leaders to entertainers to politicians, these non-gay and gay women and men are refusing to be silent at a time when America's promise of equality is at stake.

Our first 50 Voices for Equality, including Steve Schmidt, are already profiled here, but everyone can help spotlight the next 50. Beginning April 20, 2009, nominations will be accepted to build the roster of Voices for Equality. Make sure your hero is among that group by sending an email to Tahlib@freedomtomarry.org today.

• Read the press release


• Visit Voices for Equality

YouTube Video Contest Winners Announced

After over 30 videos were submitted about why marriage matters, we are pleased to announce the winners of the 7 Conversations in 7 Days YouTube Video Contest:

1. Liz Turner took first place with a video entitled, "Left Alone" which addresses the pain and discrimination experienced by gay couples who are denied the freedom to marry, and


2. Orange County Equality Coalition took second place with a video entitled, "Marriage Matters" which brings together a diverse group of voices pressing the urgency of marriage equality.

Thank you to all those who participated and spoke out about why ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage matters.



Watch all the excellent, moving submitted videos on YouTube.

Equality Supporters Push Back Against Attack Ads

Last week, following victories for marriage equality in Vermont and Iowa, the so-called "National Organization for Marriage" (NOM) launched attack ads across the country against gay couples' freedom to marry.

People who believe in equality are pushing back against these attacks across the country. The Human Rights Campaign responded, uncovering the lies and scare tactics NOM uses in their ads, and Evan Wolfson addressed these fear-mongering ads on CNN and Huffington Post.

1. View HRC's pushback
2. Read Evan Wolfson's pushback
3. Watch Evan Wolfson's pushback on CNN

Vermont Ends Gay Couples’ Exclusion from Marriage

The Vermont legislature passed a bill ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage with a 2/3 majority in each chamber, effectively overriding the Governor’s veto. Gay couples should be able to start applying for marriage licenses by September 1, 2009.

Following Iowa which had their Supreme Court rule to uphold the freedom to marry last Friday, Vermont becomes the fourth state to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage.

• Join the celebration in Vermont
• Follow the latest news on Straight Talk on Marriage
• Read the Iowa decision

Iowa Ends Gay Couples' Exclusion From Marriage

The Iowa Supreme Court today handed down a unanimous decision in Varnum v. Brien in favor of the freedom to marry, bringing marriage equality to America's heartland.

Iowa now joins Massachusetts and Connecticut in ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.

Following the decision, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy released a joint statement which celebrated the ruling:

“Thanks to today’s decision, Iowa continues to be a leader in guaranteeing all of our citizens’ equal rights…When all is said and done, we believe the only lasting question about today’s events will be why it took us so long.  It is a tough question to answer because treating everyone fairly is really a matter of Iowa common sense and Iowa common decency.”

1. Join the celebration in Iowa
2. Follow the latest news on Straight Talk on Marriage
3. Read the decision

Young Advocate in Vermont Gives Powerful Testimony in Support of Marriage Equality

Vermont Outright youth & Board Representative James Neiley gave testimony in front of the state Senate Judiciary Committee in support of marriage equality in Vermont. James delivered one hundred letters of support from classmates and spoke about the importance of the dignity and respect that come with marriage, and how denying marriage for gay couples fuels the hate speech and homophobia he faces in school: "When I know the best thing I can do in most states is get a civil union, how am I supposed to feel accepted? How am I supposed to overcome the ripping, nagging feeling that I am inferior?"

The Vermont Senate voted in support of marriage equality, and now the House is holding hearings on the bill, but Vermont’s Governor Douglas says he plans to veto civil rights.

 

1. Take Action with Vermont Freedom to Marry
2. Watch James testify
3. Follow the latest news on Straight Talk on Marriage

Legislatures in Vermont and New Hampshire Vote This Week on Bills to End Exclusion from Marriage for Gay Couples

After a week's worth of hearings on a bill to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage, Vermont's Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to support the bill last week. The full Senate is expected to vote today, March 23 at 3pm.

The bill is expected to move through the legislature in the next three to five weeks.

New Hampshire's House will vote on a marriage equality bill this Thursday, March 26th.

 

1. Take Action with Vermont Freedom to Marry
2. Take Action with New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition
3. Follow the latest news on Straight Talk on Marriage

Vermont Senate Committee Unanimously Votes in Support of Marriage Equality

After a week's worth of hearings on a bill to end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage, Vermont's Senate Judiciary Committee just unanimously voted to support the bill. The full Senate is expected to vote on Monday, March 23 at 3pm.

The bill is expected to move through the legislature in the next three to five weeks.

 

1. Take Action with Vermont Freedom to Marry
2. Follow the latest news on Straight Talk on Marriage

Vermont Legislative Leaders Announce Intention to Pass Marriage Equality Bill

Vermont Senate President Peter Shumlin and House Speaker Shap Smith announced their intention to pass a bill to ensure the freedom to marry in Vermont. A public hearing will be held on March 18th at the Capital in Montpelier and the bill is expected to move through the legislature in the next four to six weeks.

TAKE ACTION in Vermont with Vermont Freedom to Marry:

1. Mark your calendar for the PUBLIC HEARING in Montpelier on Wednesday, MARCH 18 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Vermont Freedom to Marry needs each and every Vermonter! They'll make it easy: SIGN UP NOW TO RIDE THE EQUALITY BUS -- departing from various locations all around the state and bound for the public hearings. Have a blast while you do your part for equal rights!
2. Email Senator Shumlin and Speaker Smith to thank them for their leadership. Let them know we appreciate their aggressive efforts to meet Vermont's economic challenges AND their leadership in protecting our families and civil rights. And let Senator Shumlin know you appreciate his remarks!
3. Email Governor Douglas to ask him to join you in supporting equal rights for all Vermonters.

A Week of Events in California to Overturn Prop 8

The California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the validity of Prop 8 this Thursday, and events are planned throughout the week to unite people in support of invalidating the discriminatory proposition because equality should not be put up for a popular vote.

• Monday, the California Senate and Assembly are expected to vote on the resolutions to overturn Prop 8.


• On Wednesday evening, the Eve of Justice, people will unite at statewide candlelight vigils in preparation for the oral arguments the following day. More information at EveofJustice.com.


• Thursday morning, oral arguments will take place in the California Supreme Court. Watch online starting at 9am pst/12pm est or attend watch parties throughout California.


• Wherever you are, show your support by joining Freedom to Marry in attending the online rally through Thursday to overturn Prop 8.

Freedom to Marry Bills Expected to be Introduced in a Record 11 State

A record 11 statewide marriage bills are expected to be introduced in legislatures in the US in 2009. Reflecting the ever-increasing support for and enlarged conversation around the freedom to marry, this represents a 35% increase from just a year ago. While 2009 may not see success everywhere at once, were all those bills passed and signed into law, along with victories in the marriage cases before the state supreme courts in Iowa and California, then almost 40% of Americans would live in jurisdictions with equality in marriage.

Already 14 states have at least some kind of protections for gay couples: 2 states have ended the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage; 3 honor out-of-state marriages; 4 have civil unions or broad domestic partnership; and 5 have created some lesser legal status on the road to marriage equality.

• See where your state stands on ending marriage discrimination
• Find a local equality organization to get involved
  

New Jersey’s Garden State Equality Hosts '24 Hours for Marriage Equality'

On Thursday, February 19, 2009, New Jersey will mark the two-year anniversary of New Jersey's failed civil union law. Over the past two years, studies have shown that civil unions in New Jersey are failing couples, just as we see both civil unions and domestic partnerships not providing full equality in other states such as Vermont, Maine, and Oregon. The failure of these laws reaffirms that marriage is indeed the only way to achieve equality.

Join Garden State Equality for 24 HOURS FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY and work to end the inequality in New Jersey by supporting marriage equality. It all begins at 7:00 pm on Fight Back Night, Wednesday, February 18, 2009, and continues through Thursday night, February 19th. The events are listed here.

• Learn more about why civil unions are not equal to marriage
  

Celebrate Freedom to Marry Week This Week!

Join us in celebration of the 12th annual Freedom to Marry Week this week, February 8-14, 2009. People across the country have pledged to take part in any of our 7 Conversations in 7 Days during the week to move equality forward across the country, and it’s not too late: join in today!

To kick off blogging on Straight Talk on Marriage, Evan Wolfson wrote, "Conversations with the circles of people around us are the prerequisite to winning, the key to helping them push past their discomfort, complacency, or indifference to becoming supportive of our equality."
Having conversations is the single most important action you can take towards achieving marriage equality nationwide. Check our blog all week for special guest bloggers!

New Web Campaign Helps Promote Conversations for Upcoming Freedom to Marry Week

Just in time for Freedom to Marry Week, February 8-14, Join the Impact has partnered with other national LGBT groups to develop a web based public education campaign, www.tell-three.org, to encourage LGBT people and their supporters to have three conversations with friends and family to help build support for LGBT equality. The new web campaign can assist people across the country pledging to have 7 Conversations in 7 Days next week.

• Check out www.tell-three.org
• Attend our Facebook Freedom to Marry Week Event
• Learn more about next week's activities: 7 Conversations in 7 Days

White House Website Updates Civil Rights Section, But Stops Short of Support for Marriage Equality

Just as he took office, President Obama’s updated White House website had a section on Civil Rights which supports the LGBT community. Concerning marriage equality, it includes the repeal of the discriminatory so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' (which actually took away rights from gay and lesbian couples), opposition to discriminatory marriage amendments, and support for extending 1,000+ federal rights to gay and lesbian couples.

Since the Obama administration stops short of advocating for full marriage equality, we all must take responsibility for change with our new government, and hold Obama to the stance he took in 1996: "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."

White House Website Updates Civil Rights Section, But Stops Short of Support for Marriage Equality

Just as he took office, President Obama’s updated White House website had a section on Civil Rights which supports the LGBT community. Concerning marriage equality, it includes the repeal of the discriminatory so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' (which actually took away rights from gay and lesbian couples), opposition to discriminatory marriage amendments, and support for extending 1,000+ federal rights to gay and lesbian couples.

Since the Obama administration stops short of advocating for full marriage equality, we all must take responsibility for change with our new government, and hold Obama to the stance he took in 1996: "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."