Freedom to Marry Blog

8 members of ‘The Out List’ speak out about marriage and acceptance

2013-06-18T16:30:54+00:00

This month, on Thursday, June 27, HBO Documentaries will debut The Out List, a documentary by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders that explores LGBTQ identity in the United States. Here, we share quotes from 8 members of "The Out List" about marriage, tolerance, and the importance of acceptance.

VIDEO: Straight allies in the military speak out for marriage

2013-06-18T13:15:17+00:00

Today, Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN released a new video featuring three prominent straight allies in the military speaking out in support of gay and lesbian servicemembers and their spouses.

Poll: 63% of Americans oppose DOMA’s marriage discrimination

2013-06-17T16:00:38+00:00

A new poll found that a large majority of Americans - 63% - oppose the marriage discrimination caused by the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal respect for legal marriages between same-sex couples.

Documentary ‘The New Black’ examines growing support for marriage in black community

2013-06-14T18:45:00+00:00

This month, a new documentary exploring the American black community and their views on the freedom to marry, debuted at the Los Angeles Film Festival. The documentary, The New Black, hones in on the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples in Maryland.

Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry expands with new members, video campaign

2013-06-13T15:15:20+00:00

Today, dozens of new conservative voices joined Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry, the campaign to amplify and build support for ending the exclusion of same-sex couples among young conservatives across the United States.

My Two Dads: 8 families share how they’re celebrating Fathers’ Day this year

2013-06-12T21:30:42+00:00

Fathers' Day is a great time to recognize the many types of families that make our country so dynamic. We know that there is no single formulation for what makes a strong family, but we spoke with eight great dad duos about the common denominator in family: love.

46 years ago, SCOTUS ruled against marriage discrimination in ‘Loving v. Virginia’

2013-06-12T15:00:52+00:00

Today, as we reflect on the 46th anniversary of the momentous Loving v. Virginia decision, which declared bans on interracial marriage unconstitutional, we hope that this month, we have another landmark marriage victory to celebrate.

Military couple Stacey and Genevieve: Serving our country in the face of DOMA discrimination

2013-06-12T13:30:31+00:00

For support in dealing with the harms of DOMA, Genevieve and Stacey, who promised their commitment to each other last year in Emery, California have turned to the American Military Partner Association, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBT military families and speaking out against DOMA.

EVENT: Marriage at the Supreme Court panel by Swish Nights Out

2013-06-11T18:15:50+00:00

This week, on Thursday, June 13, Freedom to Marry's Director of Online Programs, Michael Crawford, will participate in a panel about the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8. Rulings in both Supreme Court cases are expected this month.

Freedom to Marry and SAGE host panel demonstrating how DOMA hurts older couples

2013-06-10T15:00:19+00:00

This morning at the National Press Club, Freedom to Marry and SAGE hosted a panel on how the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal respect for legal marriages between same-sex couples, uniquely and dramatically affects older same-sex couples.

WATCH: PSA from ‘Familia es Familia’ highlights importance of the freedom to marry

2013-06-10T13:45:54+00:00

Today, Familia es Familia, released a new public education video featuring civil rights leader Dolores Huerta that highlights the importance of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.

First openly gay professional bowler speaks out about why marriage matters

2013-06-07T15:30:56+00:00

This week, Scott Norton, a professional bowler who made headlines earlier this year when ESPN aired footage of him kissing his partner after winning the 2012 PBA Chameleon Championship in Las Vegas, spoke with OutSports about why marriage matters and the importance of visibility in sports.

Q&A: Theatre company performs Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ to benefit Freedom to Marry

2013-06-07T14:00:37+00:00

Ripple Effect Artists' version of 'Twelfth Night,' which opens on June 20, 2013 at the Access Theater in New York City, will, in part, benefit Freedom to Marry. Here, we spoke with Founding Director of Ripple Effect Artists, Jessie Fahay, about Twelfth Night, social justice, and why marriage matters.

1 year ago, a district court judge found DOMA unconstitutional in Edie Windsor case

2013-06-06T17:30:32+00:00

One year ago today, Edith Windsor, the 83-year-old at the center of a landmark Supreme Court case challenging the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, took a huge step forward in her attempts to overturn DOMA.

Some Minnesota counties begin issuing marriage licenses

2013-06-06T15:15:57+00:00

Today, several counties in Minnesota began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The first weddings will take place on August 1, when the freedom to marry takes effect, but some counties have opened the license application process early in anticipation of a high volume of applications.

Twin sisters raised by two moms named Valedictorian and Salutatorian of Florida school

2013-06-05T16:00:04+00:00

This month, twin sisters Erin and Elizabeth Czerwinski were named Valedictorian and Salutatorian of Key West High School in Florida. The successful young women were raised and supported by their proud mothers, Caroline Bauer and Sharon Czerwinski, who have been together for 25 years.

WATCH: Bill and John’s bittersweet love story through seven decades

2013-06-05T14:20:09+00:00

Today, Freedom to Marry and the Devotion Project released a new video featuring Bill Campbell and John Hilton, a couple who lived together in New York for 54 years. Their love and commitment spanned seven decades - from meeting in the 1950s as young men through the 2010s.

Oregon United for Marriage kicks off campaign with ‘Summer of Love’ event

2013-06-04T19:00:19+00:00

On June 1, Oregon United for Marriage, the campaign working to pass the freedom to marry in Oregon, kicked off its canvassing efforts with 'Summer of Love,' a rally to mobilze volunteers and engage supporters of the freedom to marry in a signature-collecting effort.

United Kingdom House of Lords moves marriage forward in overwhelming vote

2013-06-04T17:30:05+00:00

Today, the movement to win marriage abroad took another step closer when the United Kingdom's House of Lords overwhelmingly - by a vote of 390-148 - voted in favor of the marriage bill in its second reading. They also rejected a proposed 'fatal motion,' which would have effectively removed the bill from consideration.

Nevada legislature sets in motion initiative to pass the freedom to marry

2013-06-04T15:30:31+00:00

Last month, legislators in Nevada took the initial steps necessary to begin the multi-year process of repealing a constitutional amendment in the state that prohibits same-sex couples from marrying and replacing it with a measure guaranteeing the freedom to marry to all couples.

New Hampshire celebrates fourth anniversary of approving the freedom to marry

2013-06-03T16:45:47+00:00

Today is the fourth anniversary of New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signing the freedom to marry into law across the state of NH after a bill passed through both houses of the legislature. The first marriages for same-sex couples in New Hampshire took place on January 1, 2010, and the law has maintained popular support among New Hampshire residents.

Illinois House fails to vote on marriage bill

2013-06-03T15:30:03+00:00

On Friday, May 31, the Illinois House of Representatives failed to vote on the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which would have affirmed the freedom to marry for all same-sex couples in the state. We will fight and make our case until all Illinois families have the freedom to marry the person they love.

Commitment through Friendship: Leah, Natalie and Hayes in New Orleans

2013-06-03T14:00:23+00:00

Leah and Natalie, who just moved from Mobile, AL to New Orleans, LA know that their family deserves respect - and that the love, commitment, and devotion of all families should be treated equally. They look forward to the day when they can publicly declare their love in a legal ceremony with their son Hayes.

WATCH: Wedding video from Susan and Shannon’s celebration wins international award

2013-05-23T16:14:30+00:00

Last year, Susan and Shannon promised their commitment to each other in Kansas City, MO, and they had a filmmaker capture the experience in a video called "Radiance." Now, the film has won an international award. Michael Ransdell of One Tree Films has won an international film contest from Top Knots!

Q&A: Photographer nears completion of project on how DOMA hurts military families

2013-05-22T14:47:36+00:00

This year, Tatjana Plitt, a photographer from Australia living in the United States, has been amplifying these stories of military families affected by DOMA through her "Gay Warriors" project, where she photographs couples and their families in their uniforms and shares their stories. Here, we caught up with Tatjana to ask her about her trip!

British House of Commons overwhelmingly approves the freedom to marry

2013-05-21T17:32:05+00:00

Today, the British House of Commons voted 366-161 to approve the freedom to marry on the bill's third reading. The bill now moves to the House of Lords.

Happy Anniversary, Massachusetts: 9 Years with the freedom to marry

2013-05-16T14:57:56+00:00

Today marks the ninth anniversary of the first weddings between same-sex couples in Massachusetts! Now, less than ten years after that historic day in Massachusetts, same-sex couples across the New England region have the freedom to marry.

New polls demonstrate majority support for marriage in Arizona, Michigan and Virginia

2013-05-15T18:00:57+00:00

This week, new polls were released demonstrating majority support for the freedom to marry in three states where same-sex couples currently do not have the freedom to marry. Check out the inspiring results from Arizona, Michigan, and Virginia!

Pre-order Audra McDonald’s new solo album and support Freedom to Marry!

2013-05-15T14:30:28+00:00

Until Monday, May 20, Freedom to Marry supporters have the opportunity to pre-order Audra McDonald's new solo album, 'Go Back Home' using the promo code FREEDOM. Nonesuch Records will donate $1 to Freedom to Marry for every album pre-ordered at nonsuch.com using the "FREEDOM" promo code at check-out.

Brazil’s high court rules that notaries must register marriages for same-sex couples

2013-05-14T16:45:40+00:00

Today, the National Council of Justice in Brazil - the panel responsible for overseeing the Brazilian judicial system - ruled that government offices that issue marriage licenses have no standing to reject same-sex couples from marriage.