Badpuppy Gay Today |
Tuesday, 14 January 1998 |
The day is announced by the National Freedom to Marry Coalition, which includes Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund; the Human Rights Campaign; the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force; Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; the American Civil Liberties Union; Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders; the National Organization of Women; Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays; the National Center for Lesbian Rights; and the L. A. Gay & Lesbian Center, as well as hundreds of non-gay and gay local and state partners across the country. Why February 12? Two words: equality and love. Abraham Lincoln's birthday is a time to think about equality; Valentine's Day is a time to think of love. In other words, there's no better day to mark the importance of ending sex discrimination in marriage and allowing lesbian and gay couples to share in the celebration, rights, and responsibilities of civil marriage. A Hawaii Supreme Court decision on marriage for lesbian and gay couples is expected soon, with national repercussions. Without discussion between gay and non-gay America, this tremendous chance for greater freedom and equality may be lost or significantly delayed. "The choice of whether and whom to marry is one of the most important personal decisions there is," says Evan Wolfson, who spearheads Lambda's Marriage Project. "It belongs to couples in love, not politicians or governments. National Freedom to Marry Day is an opportunity to help everyone understand the hardships and unfairness caused by denying lesbian and gay couples the Freedom to Marry. Working toward National Freedom to Marry Day's commemorations on February 12 gives us the chance to focus on winning more allies." Tying the Knot Many of the events on National Freedom to Marry Day will center around the Marriage Resolution, a statement of support for equal marriage rights endorsed by hundreds of organizations, clergy, and prominent individuals. (See list at bottom.) In addition to unveiling the names of new allies and introducing couples and families for whom the Freedom to Marry is urgently important, organizers are asking allies across the country to participate in a show of support by "Tying the Knot." "Tying the Knot" will entail knotting ribbons around trees, lamp posts, buildings, door knobs, and car antennae. Individuals are asked to tie a knot around their ring finger or arm, or to wear a knot on their lapel. "Every person who 'Ties the Knot,' on February 12 will be starting conversations," says Kevin M. Cathcart, executive director at Lambda. "When someone asks what the ribbon represents, each of us can explain: it represents support for the Freedom to Marry, equality for lesbians and gay men, and love." "We're asking everyone to think about their important life ties," Cathcart added. "That's what the knot represents. By refusing to recognize those ties, the state forces terrible risks on lesbian and gay families and couples - in effect, often severing those ties. Whether it involves hospital visitation, child custody, immigration, or other legal securities, lesbian and gay couples and families need the same basic family-survival rights that everyone else can enjoy." Individuals who are interested in finding out more about how they can support National Freedom to Marry Day can contact Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund (212) 809-8585, GLAAD (212) 807-1700, HRC (202) 628-4160, PFLAG (202) 638-4200, NGLTF (617) 492-6393, GLAD (617) 426-1350, NOW (202) 331-0066, NCLR 415-392-6257, ACLU 212-549-2623, or the L. A. Gay & Lesbian Center (213) 860-7357. THE MARRIAGE RESOLUTION Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice, RESOLVED, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage. National Freedom to Marry Coalition Select Signatories of The Marriage Resolution January 8, 1998 Select Individuals : Coretta Scott King Select Religious Organizations American Friends Service Committee (Quakers) Select Civil Rights Organizations & Others Albuquerque Center for Law & Justice ... and many others, state, local, and national THE MARRIAGE RESOLUTION Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice, RESOLVED, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage. I/We support the above Resolution. Please feel free to include me/us as a voice in educating the public: NAME(S): ___________________________________________ SIGNATURE(S): ______________________________________ AFFILIATION: ________________________________________ ADDRESS: __________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP:_____________________________________ PHONE: (________) ___________ -______________________ FAX: (________) ___________ - _________________________ E-MAIL: _____________________________________________ REPRESENTATIVE/CONTACT:__________________________ ____________________________________________________ Endorsing this Resolution authorizes Lambda's Marriage Project to identify you as a supporter of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples and use your name and/or likeness in various forums, including press and media, publicity, announcements, lists of such supporters, advertisements, testimony before legislatures, presentations to other potential supporters, and the like. As the battles advance, we would also like to call on you to discuss possible personal appearances, written or videotaped statements, testimony, and other assistance. Please check here if you do not wish to be contacted for additional involvement. Please make copies and circulate them to other potential civil rights supporters, celebrities, organizations or contacts that might be willing to endorse the Marriage Resolution and/or secure other support. For copies of the Marriage Resolution brochure and other materials, contact: Lambda's Marriage Project at: 120 Wall St., Ste. 1500, NY, NY 10005, (212) 809-8585, lldefmarry@aol.com www.lambdalegal.org www.ftm.org |
© 1998 BEI;
All Rights Reserved. |
