Freedom to Marry Blog

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.

VIDEOS: Moving testimony and joyful celebration from Minnesota marriage victory

2013-05-14T13:45:14+00:00

Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate approved the freedom to marry, making MN the 12th state in the country where same-sex couples can marry. Watch two moving speeches in support of marriage - and then relive the victory with these great videos.

Victory in Minnesota: MN becomes 12th state to approve the freedom to marry

2013-05-13T20:19:12+00:00

Today, the Minnesota Senate took a final vote on a bill to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples, making Minnesota poised to become the 12th state to approve the freedom to marry. Governor Mark Dayton is expected to sign the bill tomorrow.

Today: Minnesota could become the 12th state to pass the freedom to marry!

2013-05-13T13:45:38+00:00

Today, the Minnesota Senate will vote on a bill to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples, marking the final vote in the process of winning marriage in the state!

Freedom to Marry bids farewell to Tim Sweeney

2013-05-10T18:00:06+00:00

Last week, Freedom to Marry wished a fond farewell to Tim Sweeney, who has served on the board of Freedom to Marry since the campaign's inception in 2002 and launch in 2003. We applaud the lifelong advocate for the incredible impact he has left so far on the LGBT movement.

WATCH: On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, married Army couple discusses harms of DOMA

2013-05-10T13:00:54+00:00

Today, Freedom to Marry and OutServe-SLDN released the latest video in the 'Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry' video series featuring Major Shannon McLaughlin and her wife Casey. The couple speaks out about how DOMA hurts.

Minnesota House of Representatives votes YES on the freedom to marry

2013-05-09T19:00:13+00:00

Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted in favor of the freedom to marry by a vote of 75-59! The bill will now be heard by the full Senate on Monday.

My Two Moms: How 12 awesome families are celebrating Mothers’ Day this year

2013-05-09T14:30:06+00:00

Mothers' Day is a time to recognize the many varieties of families that come together to make our country so interesting. There is no one formulation for what makes a strong family, and there is no magic blueprint for what makes a good mother: The one thing that strong, dynamic families have in common is love.

10 ways marriage moved forward since President Obama came out for the freedom to marry

2013-05-08T20:00:45+00:00

One year ago, on May 9, 2012, President Barack Obama made history when he announced that he supports the freedom to marry for all loving and committed same-sex couples. The president's evolution increased momentum for marriage like never before, empowering many other political figures, business leaders, and community members to stop and reflect on their own views about why marriage matters.

Victory in Delaware! DE Senate passes freedom to marry legislation

2013-05-07T20:07:22+00:00

Today, the Delaware Senate approved legislation to extend the freedom to marry to loving same-sex couples across the state. With today's vote, Delaware is all but certain to be the eleventh state to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.

This week in Minnesota: The MN House will vote on the marriage bill!

2013-05-07T14:45:02+00:00

The freedom to marry is gearing up for a big week in Minnesota: On Thursday, May 9, the Minnesota House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on HF1054, the bill that would extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples across the state.

VIDEO: How we won the freedom to marry in Rhode Island

2013-05-07T14:15:56+00:00

Last week, Rhode Island became the tenth state in the country to end the exclusion of same-sex coupoles from marriage once and for all! Now, a new video from Rhode Islanders United for Marriage tracks how we won the Ocean State.

Today: The Delaware Senate will vote on the marriage bill

2013-05-07T13:30:41+00:00

At 2:00 p.m. EST, the Delaware Senate is scheduled to vote on the freedom to marry, marking one of the final steps in the process of ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage across the state.

U.S. Reps Scott (D-GA) and Schrader (D-OR) announce support for the freedom to marry

2013-05-06T14:00:07+00:00

This week, two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. David Scott (D-GA) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) announced their support for the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.

Thank you to Tim Sweeney for his years of service with Freedom to Marry

2013-05-03T16:15:04+00:00

This year, Tim Sweeney will be stepping down from the Freedom to Marry board - as well as from his full-time position as President and CEO of the Gill Foundation. We applaud the lifelong advocate for the incredible impact he has left so far on the LGBT movement and the campaign to win marriage nationwide.

Rhode Island becomes the 10th state where same-sex couples can marry!

2013-05-02T20:35:50+00:00

Today, Rhode Island became the tenth state in the country to approve the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. This afternoon, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee will sign the marriage bill into law on the steps of the Rhode Island State House.

Delaware Senate Executive Committee advances marriage bill to Senate floor

2013-05-01T19:30:16+00:00

Today, the Senate Executive Committee in Delaware voted to advance HB75, the bill that would extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples across the state. By a vote of 4-2, the committee voted to send the bill to the full Senate floor.

Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee advances marriage bill to final House vote

2013-05-01T14:30:22+00:00

Yesterday, the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to advance the marriage bill to a full vote before the RI House of Representatives. The vote, scheduled for Thursday, May 2, will mark the final vote for the freedom to marry in the state.

Civil Union law takes effect in Colorado

2013-05-01T13:30:24+00:00

Early this morning, May 1, a law that creates civil union for same-sex couples took effect in Colorado. As we celebrate the civil union law taking effect in Colorado, we also look forward to a day when same-sex couples can see their state stand up for their love, their commitment, and their families by extending the full freedom to marry.

Winning More States: Where marriage stands in 7 key states across the country

2013-04-30T17:30:53+00:00

In 2013, we've already seen significant developments from states where we can win marriage this year, and several other states have taken the first steps toward winning marriage. Here's a look at some recent victories, and what's on the horizon for these 7 States.

President Obama applauds NBA player Jason Collins on coming out

2013-04-30T16:00:33+00:00

In a press conference today, President Barack Obama commented on big news from the sports world yesterday: Jason Collins, a Center for the NBA, came out as a gay man. Collins is now the first openly gay male athlete in a major American sports league.

Marriage moves forward in Brazil: Two additional states pass the freedom to marry

2013-04-30T15:15:02+00:00

Yesterday, marriage continued moving forward in Brazil when the Corregedor Geral de Justiça in two additional states - Paraíba and Santa Catarina(Articles in Portuguese) - authorized marriages between same-sex couples.

New poll demonstrates that a majority of Minnesotans support the freedom to marry

2013-04-29T15:30:30+00:00

This week, a new poll from KSTP/SurveyUSA found that a majority of Minnesota adults support ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. The poll, measured last week, found that 51% of Minnesotans support the freedom to marry, while just 47% do not.

Zach Wahls celebrates 4 years of the freedom to marry in Iowa, looks toward SCOTUS ruling

2013-04-26T19:30:39+00:00

April 27 marks the four-year anniversary of the freedom to marry taking effect in Iowa, whose Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that same-sex couples should not be excluded from marriage. This week, marriage activist and LGBT ally Zach Wahls published an editorial celebrating the anniversary.

Delaware Senate Executive Committee to hear marriage bill on May 1

2013-04-26T16:15:43+00:00

Next week, the Senate Executive Committee in Delaware will hold a hearing on a bill that would extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples across the state of Delaware. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1.