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Quoting Evan Wolfson
Freedom to Marry head responds to gays' first marriage anniversaries
Evan Wolfson is hopeful about the influence of marriages in Massachusetts over time. He says it serves as "[A] standard of equality that others will aspire to and define themselves by," adding it is a "living example of fairness and family values."
Mass. court limits marriage law
The legal bedrock of the court's original decision remained intact -- namely, that Massachusetts gay couples have an unfettered right to marriage.
Marriage equality moves forward
Not only are we seeing the American people moving swiftly (in historical terms) toward marriage equality, but, in fact it turns out that even the third Wolfson considered unreachable on any reasonable timeline are not so adamant.
Activists meet with Dem senators
Eight Democratic senators listened to complaints last week from activists that they and their party colleagues have hindered progress on gay rights. Instead of pandering to voters whose support they are unlikely to get, Democrats should make the case for marriage equality in a way that will move the issue forward.
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Religious leaders speak out on marriage
Clergy members and gay and lesbian leaders exchanged ideas on how to influence the religious middle on marriage equality and organize opposition to the proposed federal constitutional gay marriage ban during a forum held at San Francisco's LGBT Community Center.
Field Poll: support for marriage equality in CA continues to grow
Poll shows that opposition to marriage equality is lower than expected (51%), there has been a sharp decline in strong opposition, and the long-term trend towards ending marriage discrimination continues.
Marriage blitz
The 2004 marriage initiatives and the subsequent Democratic gay-bashing had a salutary effect on LGBT organizations. People had a strategic epiphany that [victory] wasn't going to come in an avalanche, said Evan Wolfson, founding director of the national group Freedom to Marry.
There they go again
"...On the other side there's Evan Wolfson, a longtime movement leader, who famously argues that no one ever got half a loaf by asking for half a loaf..."
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Marriage was a Valentines Day focus
Advocates led by Marriage Equality, Metropolitan Community Church converged in downtown New York. Evan Wolfson said about the event, We have an opportunity to have a much greater impact by going out and engaging opinion makers and groups of New Yorkers on this issue. The next several months are crucial because we have to create a climate that shows New Yorkers are ready for it.
Houston celebrates Freedom to Marry week with weddings and attempts to receive marriage licenses
"In addition to the wedding ceremony and demonstration at the clerk's office, foundation officials will sponsor a three-part discussion series..."
Conservatives still trying make correlation between marriage equality and marital anarchy
"The right wing would love nothing more than for us to spend all of our airtime discussing distractions such as polygamy, bestiality and other — from their point of view — doomsday scenarios rather than engage the public about committed same-sex couples being discriminated against," says Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, which advocates marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.
Wedding March: Should Washington's gays accept civil unions if full marriage equality fails?
What does the timetable set by the chief justice of Washington State's supreme court for a decision on marriage equality mean? As Evan Wolfson said in an interview with the reporter, "All of this is going to be a many-year struggle." Starting off by bargaining against ourselves, he says, "misunderstands how you end opposition. You don't end opposition by appeasing it, you end opposition by allowing fair-minded people to grow."
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Connecticut's first same-sex unions proceed civilly
Lidia Agramonte and Maria Gomez were the first in line at the Hartford City Hall Saturday morning, when Connecticut's civil union law took effect. Connecticut's legislature was the first to create a "civil union" status without a court order to do so, and now provides same-sex couples most of the state-level legal rights as different-sex married couples, though not marriage itself, with all its intangible meaning and importance, or federal and interstate protections and security. Despite the smiles and occasional tears, this was nothing like the hoopla when Vermont began civil unions in 2000, or the midnight ceremonies kicking off Massachusett's marriage celebrations last year. Randy Sharp, third in line with his partner says, "It's bittersweet because we're being treated as second-class citizens. It's not full marriage equality."
Marriage equality enters a new era, but the fight continues on
105 lawmakers in Mass. have recently moved to the side of fairness helping squash a proposed marriage amendment in the only state, so far, where everyone has the freedom to marry. The California legislature's historical vote said 'yes' to marriage equality. Connecticut created civil unions for same-sex couples, without a court order. Polls are reflecting a shift in public opinion as more people move toward equality and fairness. Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson says, "we've entered a new era. It doesn't mean we'll win overnight, but it means we've turned the tide." Though much work remains in the efforts to win marriage equality nationwide, many are busy organizing, volunteering and raising money to help win and defend their right to marry.
Supreme Court nominee's positions on gay equality matters
The recent discovery revealing Supreme Court Justice nominee John Roberts' pro bono work on the groundbreaking Romer vs. Evans case, striking down an anti-gay ballot initiative in Colorado, brings up questions on both sides of the fence. Gay rights groups wonder whether or not Roberts truly believes the Romer case ruling was correctly decided, and whether he believes the Constitution contains a right to privacy. Evan Wolfson, head of Freedom to Marry, comments, "Everybody's in favor of judicial restraint, but what does that mean? If it means not acting as a check against majoritarian excesses or upholding constitutional rights against improper government action, then restraint is not something admirable."
Majority of Americans support rights for same-sex couples
A recent poll from the Pew Research Center reveals that more Americans have moved on the side of fairness and equality, favoring same-sex couples to have the same rights as married couples. "This is exactly what the right wing is afraid of," says Evan Wolfson," executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters. "If we stick with the conversation and persist in engaging the non-gay public on marriage equality the public will move to fairness."
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TV networks pull biases in exchange for inclusion of same-sex couples
After meeting with officials from the Gay & Lesbian Association Against Defamation (GLAAD) and encountering many protests over the show's anti-gay tone in its beginning episodes, ABC decided to pull its 6-episode reality show, "Welcome to the Neighborhood." This follows a decision by NBC to revise applicant requirements allowing same-sex couples to enter it's "Today Hosts a Hometown Wedding" contest. Equality supporters like Freedom to Marry executive director Evan Wolfson applaud GLAAD's work in allowing the American public to view the reality of loving same-sex couples seeking marriage rather than the scare tactics from the opposition.
Spain, Canada laws provide valuable lesson for U.S.
The progress of laws ending marriage discrimination in Canada and Spain has given gay advocates a chance to celebrate equality and recommit to the struggle at home. Prominent gay leaders such as Freedom to Marry executive director Evan Wolfson applauded the virtuous example saying, "The victories in these countries show that families are helped and no one is hurt when discrimination ends."
Church leader endorses the freedom to marry
Rev. John H. Thomas, head of the United Church of Christ, publicly endorsed a proposed resolution supporting the freedom for same-sex couples to marry. Thomas said the UCC should affirm the rights of GLBT Americans to have marriages "equal in name, privileges and responsibilities to married heterosexual couples." The announcement comes just days before the annual meeting of the General Synod in Atlanta.
US Supreme Court sees new round of issues, including gay rights
While speculation on the composition of the nation's highest court continues, one thing remains clear, the nine justices have a slew of new issues to tackle. Since 2003's Lawrence v. Texas decision, the court has shyed from taking on other gay rights cases; however, it's certain the court must eventually address discriminatory legislation against gays including the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and the exclusion of marriage.
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Opposing leaders debate marriage equality
Hundreds attended a debate between Freedom to Marry director Evan Wolfson and Traditional Values Coalition chairman Lou Sheldon. Those in attendance aligned with Wolfson; equal marriage reflects American values: love, commitment, fairness & freedom.
Evan Wolfson debates Traditional Values Coalition leader
In a first-ever debate, Evan Wolfson faced off with anti-gay Rev. Lou Sheldon at Stanford Law School. The audience of students and community members agreed that the time to end marriage exclusion is now.
Gay couples across the U.S. asked for marriage on Valentine's Day
Raising awareness for equal marriage, U.S. gay couples spent Valentine's Day at marriage bureaus. Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, said, "the more we talk about it, the more fair-minded Americans will embrace ending our exclusion from marriage."
LIBRARY JOURNAL: Book review, Why Marriage Matters [BROKEN]
Wolfson shows that marriage has changed in meaning over the years and points out how similar fears were raised in the 1960s to justify denying marriage to interracial couples.
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Crossing the Threshold: Equal Marriage Rights for Lesbians and Gay Men and the Intra-Community Critique
In a law review article, Evan Wolfson addresses the intra-community differences of opinion and emphasis most recently reincarnated in the "Beyond Marriage" document and press blitz. Wolfson examines the false "either/or" premises of some advocates, and draws on history and social change theory in evaluating many of the claims made against the work to win the freedom to marry. The article was written in 1994.
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Why Marriage Matters America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry.
By Evan Wolfson
Read reviews! Purchase the book or receive a signed copy as a thank you for your donation!
Read families’ stories about how marriage discrimination affects everyday life. These stories communicate, in concrete ways, how the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage hurts families and helps no one.
Start in The Marriage Basics to get short answers to your big questions about the freedom to marry, and learn more about the protections and responsibilities of marriage, the historical background for this civil rights movement, why separate is not equal, and so much more.
