2006 Freedom to Marry Week Events

These are just a few of the Freedom to Marry Week events that went on across the country!

 

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ARIZONA

2006 Rally for Love and Justice

February 12, 2006
Location: Tucson's El Presidio Park by City Hall

The 2006 Rally for Love and Justice is being organized by Wingspan (www.wingspan.org), Southern Arizona's LGBT Community Center, to demonstrate the power of Southern Arizona's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied community to defeat the extreme and far-reaching proposed amendment to the Arizona state constitutions. Rally organizers expect a large crowd of supporters.

As well as protesting the proposed amendments, the rally is also a celebration of ALL of Arizona's Families. There will be activities at the rally for the youngsters and the young at heart, including face-painting!

E-mail cathy@wingspan.org or call 520-624-1779 for more information.

Sponsor: Wingspan, Southern Arizona's LGBT Community Center
URL: www.wingspan.org

 

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CALIFORNIA

Freedom to Marry Day

Tuesday, February 14, 2006 12:00 PM

The Queer/Straight Alliance is holding mock gay and lesbian marriages and distributing free wedding cake and flyers to raise awareness about marriage inequality. Rabbi Mychal will be conducting these mock marriages.

Email careym@stanford.edu for more information or call 415-425-7579.

Sponsor: Stanford University's Queer/Straight Alliance
URL: http://events.stanford.edu/events/77/7733/

 

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CALIFORNIA

2006 Get Engaged Tour 2006

58 Counties, 28 Days, 9 Teams and 1 Vision!

Have you ever wanted to travel and meet supporters of equality in other areas of California?

Do you live in a rural area and want to help to host a local outreach event in your town?

Equality California's "Freedom to Marry" activities and the second annual "Get Engaged Tour" are all in February.

MARRIAGE COUNTER DEMONSTRATION: On Valentine's Day, what could be more tragically romantic than standing up for your civil rights by getting turned down together at your local county marriage counter?

Render visible the discriminatory marriage laws by peacefully, politely introducing yourselves and educating the clerk about the thousands of rights that come with the marriage license and how your family is jeopardized without these protections.

Click here for more information.

Sponsor: Equality California
URL: www.eqca.org

 

Press Conference and Rally

February 14, 2006, 9:00 am
Location: 555 County Center—directly across courtyard from big County Hall of Justice, Redwood City

A large crowd of LGBT people, families, organizations, and supporters are expected to show up on the steps of Redwood City's county clerk's office, showing their support of San Mateo County's supportive stance on full marriage equality and equal rights, Tuesday morning Feb. 14th at 8:45 a.m. Teen activist Marina Gatto believes that her county—San Mateo County, and its leadership, will demonstrate that they are leading the way in setting an example for other counties and county leaders nationwide, to follow in supporting all their citizens, families and children.

 

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COLORADO

2006 Freedom to Marry Rally

February 11, 2006
Location: Old Town Square, Fort Collins

On Saturday, February 11, at 12:30p.m., National Freedom to Marry Day will be celebrated locally in Old Town Square. The rally will include speakers and music. Supporters will then march to Avogadro¹s Number, 605 South Mason for a reception which will include wedding cake and festivities.

This will mark the 7th annual Fort Collins event. Freedom to Marry Day is celebrated in many cities nationwide. It is a day to honor and support marriage and family bonds for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation.

The event is sponsored locally by the Foothills Unitarian Church Youth Group; BGLT Outreach at Foothills Unitarian Church; Namaqua UU Social Justice Committee; Center for Justice, Peace, and Environment; PFLAG; Lambda Community Center; GLBT Student Services at CSU; CSU's SOGLBT; Weird Sisters West; Metropolitan Community Church Family in Christ; the Northern Colorado AIDS Project; the GSA of Front Range Community College-Larimer;and KRFCfm Community Radio.

In Old Town, the event will feature music of GataNegra and The Rainbow Chorus. Representative Tom Plant will be the keynote speaker.

Supporters will then march to Avogadro's Number, 605 South Mason, for a reception and celebration. Music there will be provided by Tara Lee
We will also have an open mic portion.

E-mail distaso@frii.com or call 221-3247 for more information.

 

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FLORIDA

Freedom to Marry Week's Valentines Day of Action

DATE: Saturday, February 11, 2006
LOCATION: Lowery Park, Picnic Shelter 115, 7525 North Boulevard, Tampa, Florida
TIME: Noon. to 4 P.M.
NOTE: Rally is free and open to the public, a covered shelter offers picnic table seating for up to one-hundred and twenty eight people. So, bring your whole family, a picnic basket, blanket and make an afternoon of it.

DontAmend Tampa Bay Pride Rally Official Kick-Off of Winter Pride Events

DontAmend Tampa Bay Annual Valentines Day of Action Rally has become a tradition for the Tampa Bay area, this is the 3rd year we will be holding it. Our Valentines Day of Action Rally has coincided with 'Freedom to Marry Week' of Action, rallies and related events to be held nationwide. This years rally will be the official kick-off of Winter Pride activities and events and a prelude to Equality Florida's Town Hall Meeting the Inaugural Winter Pride Tampa Bay 2006, and the AIDS Walk as well as several other pride related events and activities.

With the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners new policy abstaining from acknowledging, recognizing, promoting or participating in any gay pride displays or events, and to honor our Right to Celebrate Our Pride and the Inaugural Winter Pride Tampa Bay 2006, this year's rally will be renamed DATB's Annual Valentines Day "Pride" Rally.

The Valentines Day "Pride" Rally will be a time for us to come together in a display of diversity, unity and a public celebration of GLBT pride. The Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners may believe that they can simply Ban Gay Pride in 72 seconds. Well we adamantly refuse to give up our right to express the pride we feel in ourselves and our community. The Valentines Day "Pride" Rally is a positive way for the Tampa Bay community to join together in strong opposition to this new policy.

E-mail dontamend@tampabay.rr.com or call 813-251-0693 for more information.

Sponsor: DontAmend Tampa Bay
URL: www.tampabaycoalition.com/dontamend.html

 

Town Hall Rally

February 14, 2006 7:00 PM
Location: MCC Tampa, 408 E. Cayuga Street, Tampa, FL

February 14th Town Hall Rally with Equality Florida hosted by MCC Tampa and Sponsored by Equality Florida. The Town Hall event will be at 7:00pm at MCC Tampa, 408 E. Cayuga Street, Tampa, FL and everyone is welcome. We will celebrate the successes of the past 8 months and look forward to up and coming opportunities for community involvement.

Call 813-870-3735 for more information.

Sponsor: Equality Florida
URL: www.eqfl.org

 

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GEORGIA

Houston's The 2nd Annual "Same Love, Same Rights" GLBT Wedding, Family Expo and After Party

Sunday, February 12th, 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Location: Holiday Inn Select in Decatur and the Red Chair Lounge

In 2006 RainbowWeddingNetwork.com is proud to return to the Atlanta area for the 2nd Annual "Same Love, Same Rights""! GLBT Wedding and Family Expo! This event is FREE to the public and features over 50 GLBT-friendly businesses, live musical performers and DJs, fashion shows, speakers and much more!

This coming year our focus will be on fighting to protect the right of same-sex couples in Georgia to adopt children, and on educating residents of Georgia about how they can protect themselves and their families. This is also a way for friends, cousins, grandparents, godparents and other extended family to learn how political, financial and personal choices can affect us all.

In the evening at the Red Chair Lounge Geronimo, Jen Foster and Stephanie Callahan will perform a benefit concert to raise money for Marriage Equality Georgia Family Project. The evening will also feature a sexy Valeninte's lingerie fashion show by Aphrodite's Toy Box. Doors open at 6 pm. Tickets are $15.00 or $10.00 with a discount ticket from the Wedding and Family Expo.

E-mail rwnsarah@bellsouth.net for more information or call 866-251-1564.

Sponsor: Rainbow Wedding Network
URL: www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com

 

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ILLINOIS

Freedom to Marry Reception

February 9, 2006, 7:00 PM -9:00 PM

Location: High Risk Gallery: Arlington Heights, IL

Celebrate Freedom to Marry Day with Lambda Legal's 5th Annual Freedom to Marry Reception. Join in the fun with Music, Cake-Cutting, Bouquet Toss, Hors d'oeuvres and Special Guest Speaker is Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois! Even enter to win a romantic weekend for two at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel!

Email clowery@lambdalegal.org. for more information.

URL: www.nwsubnow.org/nowevents.htm and www.lambdalegal.org

 

Celebration and Protest

February 11, 2006, 11:00 AM
Location: In front of the Cook County Marriage License Bureau, 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago (across the street from Daley Plaza)

E-mail LGBTliberation@aol.com or call 773-209-1187 for more information.

Sponsor: Gay Liberation Network
URL: www.GayLiberation.org

 

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IOWA

"Love, Commitment and Family: Why Same-Sex Marriage Matters"

February 12, 2006
Location: Auditorium, Brown Medical Industries, 1300 Lundberg Dr. (one mile west of Polaris Industries on State Highway 9), Spirit Lake, Iowa

Public forum/debate featuring:
Mike May (Republican), State Representative for Iowa District 6, Spirit Lake
Joe Wilson, Founding Director, Wilson Resource Center, Arnolds Park

E-mail FJosephWilson@aol.com or call 712-332-5043 for more information.

Sponsor: Dickinson County Issues Forum (DCIF); Wilson Resource Center (WRC)

URL: groups.yahoo.com/group/wrc-events/

 

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MASSACHUSETTS

Our Just Desserts

February 12, 2006
Location: Boston Park Plaza Hotel

The Seventh Annual Freedom to Marry Valentine Dance

E-mail dance@equalmarriage.org for more information.

Sponsor: The Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts
URL: www.equalmarriage.org

 

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MICHIGAN

"This Year, Every Year, Until"

February 14, 2006
Location: Oakland County Courthouse, Pontiac

The leaders of two LGBT-headed churches will be at the Oakland County Courthouse to assist same-sex couples in applying for marriage licenses.

The demonstration will begin at 9 a.m. with an attempt by the couples to receive licenses. Afterward, Pastors Deborah Dysert and Mark Bidwell will perform a blessing of relationships and lead demonstrators in a prayer vigil for marriage equality.

In Michigan, one member of the couple can go to the courthouse as long as they bring a copy of their intended spouse's ID. When they apply, they will receive a copy of Michigan's discriminatory anti-marriage ordinance and will be denied a license.

We instruct people to thank the clerks and say "We'll see you next year."

For more information on the Oakland County demonstration, call Divine Peace MCC at 248-618-1186 or MCC Detroit at 248-399-7741. For more information about right-to-marry events around the country, visit the Metropolitan Community Church's website at www.MCCchurch.org/marriage.

 

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MINNESOTA

Freedom to Marry Week Matrimony Event

February 12, 2006, 6:00 PM 10:00 PM

Location: Queer Student Cultural Center; Coffman Memorial Union; 300 Washington Avenue S.E., Room 205; Minneapolis, MN 55455

Celebrate marriage and protest for everyone's right to marry whomever they choose. On February 12th, 2006, the Queer Student Cultural Center is kicking off Freedom to Marry Week with its own matrimony event. Join us in Great Hall from 6:00pm-10:00pm with wedding cake, beverages, live DJ music, speakers, and a dance.

Sponsor: Queer Student Cultural Center
Call 612-626-2344 or email qscc@umn.edu for more information

 

Marriage Equality

Date/Time 9:15a.m Sundays, Feb 5,12,19,26

Type of Event: Adult Class
Location: Lyndale United Church of Christ; 810 W. 31st St.; Minneapolis

A series to discuss marriage equality and the freedom to marry

E-mail lyndaleucc@juno.com or call 612-825-3019 for more information

Sponsor: Lyndale United Church of Christ
URL: lyndaleucc.org

 

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Screening of Tying the Knot.

February 12, 2006 1:00 PM
Location: NHTI Auditorium in Concord NH

New Hampshire Freedowm to Marry film screening — Tying the Knot.

Join New Hampshire Freedom to Marry in celebration of National Freedom to Marry day as we view the award-winning film: "Tying The Knot", directed by Jim DeSeve.

Tickets are $10 per person, please send check or money order by Feb 7, 2005 to:

NHFTM—Tying The Knot
PO Box 4064
Concord, NH 03302-4064

Tickets will be held at the door.

For more details please download this flyer (pdf)r.

 

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NEW JERSEY

THE GREATEST LGBTI RALLY EVER — THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT CASE — Tuesday, Feb 14 at 7 pm in Montclair

February 14, 2006
Location: Bnai Keshet Reconstructionist Synagogue, 99 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey

It's Garden State Equality's Night-Before-Supreme-Court Rally! There's never been an event like this: A star-studded, once-in-a-lifetime thrill on the very night before the New Jersey Supreme Court hears the marriage equality case.

That's Garden State Equality's Night-Before-Supreme Court Rally: Tuesday, February 14 at 7 pm, Bnai Keshet Reconstructionist Synagogue, 99 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey.

Who's speaking?

* An unprecedented gathering of national LGBTI leaders, including:

• Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal, which Garden State Equality will salute for bringing the marriage lawsuit
• Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
• Joan Garry, executive director emerita of Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
• Joe Solmonese, president of Human Rights Campaign
• Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry

* Heroes in New Jersey LGBTI civil rights history, including:

• Jon and Michael Galluccio, who won the right of same-sex couples to adopt
• James Dale, who won his case against the Boy Scouts in the New Jersey Supreme Court

* Some of the greatest speakers from town meetings past

* And the presentation of Garden State Equality's first-ever Lieutenant Laurel Hester Prize for Citizen Courage. The recipients of the first Hester Prize will be Stacie Andree, Lt. Hester's life partner, and Dane Wells, the retired Ocean County police officer who fought gallantly for Lt. Hester. Lieutenant Hester herself will appear in a newly produced video.

AS ALWAYS, ADMISSION IS FREE, NO TICKETS OR RSVP NEEDED. JUST SHOW UP AND BRING OTHERS WITH YOU. LET'S HAVE A JAM-PACKED HOUSE FOR THIS RALLY, COVERAGE OF WHICH WILL APPEAR THE MORNING OF THE SUPREME COURT ORAL ARGUMENTS.

But wait — there's more:
* If you'd like to join Garden State Equality's VISIBILITY CORPS in front of the New Jersey Supreme Court when it hears oral arguments on Wednesday morning, February 15 at 10:00 am, please e-mail me, Steven Goldstein, immediately at Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org. Though the case is slated for 10 am, we'd ask you to arrive a lot earlier to be part of Garden State Equality's Visibility Corps. The New Jersey Supreme Court is on the Eighth Floor of the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market Street, Trenton. Attendance in the courtroom itself is very limited. You may also watch the case LIVE via streaming video on your computer at www.judiciary.state.nj.us/webcast/index.htm

* If you're in Trenton on Wednesday morning, February 15th, right after the lawsuit, Garden State Equality will host a gathering with light food, soft drinks and conversation about the just-heard case at the Trenton Marriott Hotel, One West Lafayette Street.

* On Wednesday evening, February 15th at 7 pm, Garden State Equality will host a conference call with statewide legal experts to which you'll be able dial in, toll-free, from wherever you are. Dial-in information forthcoming.

E-mail Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org.

Sponsor: Garden State Equality
URL: www.gardenstateequality.org

 

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NEW MEXICO

"The Cost of Committment" and "Marriage: the History and Hysterics

February 12, 2006
Location: Church of the Good Shepherd

Jimmy Creech is speaking at our church next Sunday the 12th — morning is "the Cost of Committment", the afternoon is "Marriage: the History and Hysterics."

E-mail sueucc@aol.com for more information.

 

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NEW YORK

Valentines Day Rally

Tuesday, February 14, 2006 7:30 AM
Location: City Hall, 52 Chambers St. bet Centre/Bway, New York, NY

This Valentines Day, join Marriage Equality NY, the Metropolitan Community Church and the LGBT community and demand equal marriage rights on "Freedom to Marry Day." Its success depends on the volume of our voice. Our goal is to reach 200 participants, so grab your friends and loved ones. If you can't make it, send someone in your place. If you can't get off work- stop here before going. Organizations belonging to the MEQWORK are asked to bring 5 people minimum to the action -this is our FIRST MEQWORk event together!

Don't be late — we need to move as a group.

Bring gifts. Bring flowers. Anything you would find at a wedding.

Sponsor: Marriage Equality and the Metropolitan Community Church

 

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NORTH CAROLINA

Freedom to Marry Week Event

February 13, 2006, 12:00 AM - February 16, 2006, 9:00 PM

Location: All events are within the School of Law at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

When/What:

• Monday, Feb. 13 to Thursday, Feb. 16: table of information on Freedom To Marry Week
• Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Noon: Panel discussion with professors of family and property law on the legal implications of same-sex civil marriage
• Thursday, Feb. 16 at Noon: Pro Se Power of Attorney Training for law students
• Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7-9pm: Screening of "Tying the Knot" documentary

Sponsor: Lambda Law Students Association and Co-Sponsored by law student chapters of the ACLU and Young Democrats
URL: studentorgs.unc.edu/llsa/

 

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OHIO

Families warm the heart

February 14, Valentine's Day, Columbus court house, downtown at 2PM!

February 14th Statewide Event — Families Warm the Heart

In cooperation with Equality Ohio and organizations around Ohio, this event will highlight how equal civil marriage rights for same-sex couples help strengthen and support the loving bonds of couples and families across the state. You and your loved one(s) — including children — can be an important part of this event.

On Feb. 14, participants will apply for a civil marriage license at their local county courthouse If you are interested in being a local organizer or participating in one of the identified communities, contact lynne@equalityohio.org.

 

On February 14th in Toledo, the Lucas County Courthouse at 700 Adams St. will be the site of a noon action featuring protesters carrying placards and handing out candy hearts bearing the legend, "Commitment strengthens our community: yours, mine, ours. Civil marriage is for everyone."

Couples will enter the courthouse to apply for marriage licenses to bring attention to the inequality enshrined in the Ohio Constitution following the November 2004 passage of an amendment barring the state from recognizing same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships or civil unions.

A similar event will be held at 2 pm in Columbus at the Franklin County Courthouse, 373 S. High Street, as well as at the Summit County Courthouse, 209 S. High St. in Akron.

On February 12, clergy are urged to devote part of their sermon to marriage equality, while the following day, a Monday, focuses on "Marriage Equality at Work," with community members asked to request domestic partner benefits at work or to place a photo of their partner on their desk.

"You'd be amazed at the many ways we are not out to people at work," she said. "The simplest gesture can send quite a powerful message."

Wednesday, February 15 focuses on talking to family members, while February 16 is devoted to contacting legislators.

Friday, February 17 is "Motivate Your Friends Day," the final day of Freedom to Marry Week. The Cleveland LGBT Center wants people to recount their experiences over the course of the week. Some responses will be posted on the organization's website.

 

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PENNSYLVANIA

Second Annual Freedom to Marry Rally

February 14, 2006, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Dauphin Co. Courthouse, Corners of Front & Market Streets; Harrisburg, PA

The purpose of the Freedom to Marry Lay Led Ministry is to educate ourselves, our congregation, and our community about all aspects of the right to marry, and explore ways to let it be known that this ministry supports the right of same sex couples to marry.

E-mail alannaberger@comcast.net or call 717-361-2992 for more information.

Sponsor: The Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
URL: www.uchuua.org

 

A Musical Revue by Proudly Presents Productions

2/11/2006 7:00 pm

UUCNH is kicking off Freedom to Marry Week with a musical revue by Proudly Presents Productions. All proceeds will benefit Marriage Equality Pennsylvania Chapter and the GLCC of Pittsburgh. Join us for an evening of music and merriment as we raise money and our voices in support for the freedom to marry for all. Tickets may be ordered by calling (412)366-0244 for $10 or you may buy them at the door for $12. For directions, log on to www.uucnh.org.

 

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RHODE ISLAND

Get Engaged! Rally for Marriage Equality

February 14th, 4:30 pm
Location: Rhode Island State House

Join Marriage Equality Rhode Island under the dome of the State House to raise your voice for equal marriage rights!

We will be celebrating the success of district organizing, recognizing legislative leaders, and issuing a call to all Rhode Islanders to Get Engaged! Come at 4 to lobby your elected officials; stay to rally at 5 pm.

E-mail: info@marriageequalityri.org; jsteinfeld@marriageequalityri.org

Phone: 463-5368, ask for Jennifer or Stephen

Sponsor: Marriage Equality Rhode Island
URL: www.marriageequalityri.org

 

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SOUTH CAROLINA

It's Marriage Equality Week

STAND UP FOR MARRIAGE, CIVIL UNIONS, OR RELATIONSHIP EQUALITY
02/13/2006
Location: Statewide
It's Marriage Equality Week. Couples in committed, loving realtionships from across the state will file for marriage licenses and other forms or relationship recognition at their local county offices.

 

SCEC Board Meeting
02/13/2006
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Columbia
The board of SCEC is hard at work securing civil and human rights for GLBT South Carolininas.

 

FREEDOM TO MARRY DAY COMING FEB 13!
02/13/2006
Location: Courthouses in Columbia and Charleston (and other cities, if possible!)
For a third year in a row, the SC Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement will host events centered on Freedom to Marry Day, recognized by gay and lesbian civil rights groups across the nation on Feb 12.

 

Marriage Press Conference for Clergy
02/16/2006
Location: Columbia
A press conference with supportive clergy on marriage. For more information about the work of supportive clergy, email Candace Chellew-Hodge at editor@whosoever.org.

 

Town Hall on Marriage Equality
02/16/2006
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: USC - Columbia, Gambrell Hall
A town hall meeting in Columbia on Thursday, Feb 16. For more information about the town hall meeting, email Michael Drennan at ed@scequality.org.

For more information about Marriage Equality Week, contact SCGLPM at SCPrideCenter@aol.com, or call 803.771.7713. For more information about the town hall meeting or the SC Equality Coalition, go to www.scequality.org, or contact executive director Michael Drennan at ed@scequality.org, or call him at 803.741.1590 or 803.381.4314.

 

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TENNESSEE

Film and Q & A Session

February 13, 2006
Location: McClure Hall at Grace-St. Luke's Church

To celebrate Freedom to Marry Week (Feb. 12-18, 2006), all are invited to watch the highly acclaimed documentary, Tying the Knot, on Monday, Feb. 13. This though-provoking film highlights the vulnerabilities faced by many gay couples who are without civil marriage rights. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about plans to oppose a Nov. 2006 ballot referendum that seeks to ban marriage equality in Tennessee.

Can you imagine losing a beloved spouse and then having the love for your spouse put on trial? When a bank robber's bullet ended the life of Tampa, Florida police officer Lois Marrero, her wife of 13 years, Mickie, was honored as her surviving spouse but denied all pension benefits. When Sam, an Oklahoma rancher, lost his beloved husband of 22 years, long-estranged cousins of his late spouse tried to lay claim to everything Sam had. As Mickie and Sam's lives were put on trial, they were forced to confront the tragic reality that in the eyes of the law their marriages meant nothing. From an historical trip to the Middle Ages, to activists storming the Manhattan marriage bureau in 1971, Tying the Knot digs deeply into the past and present to uncover the meaning of civil marriage in America today.

The evening of Feb. 13th begins at 6 p.m. in McClure Hall at Grace-St. Luke's Church with free refreshments and information about civil marriage equality. The film will begin at 6:30 p.m. and be followed by an opportunity to ask questions about the film and the marriage amendment referendum in Tennessee. No charge for admission.

E-mail JonathanTN@juno.com or call 901.374.9484 for more information.

Sponsor: Grace St. Luke's Episcopal Church
URL: www.gslparish.org

 

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TEXAS

Houston's 4th Annual & Texas's Largest Same-Sex Wedding Celebration and Demonstration for the Right to Marry

Saturday, February 18th, 2:00 pm
Location: Community Gospel Church, 4305 Lillian, Houston, Texas 77007

The Foundation for Family and Marriage Equality will host Houston's 4th Annual Texas's Largest Same-Sex Wedding Celebration and Demonstration for the Right to Marry. Each year our event grows larger and more popular. Typically, the wedding ceremony is presided over by more than 20 clergy members from many faith traditions who all agree on one thing--marriage is a fundamental right to which all individuals are entitled, whether gay or straight.

We have enjoyed great local media coverage, as well as sporadic national coverage. Hey, we're doing this in the middle of "Bush Country"! Please visit our website for the wonderful history of this event and see our week-long program of events.

Couples taking part in the ceremony should arrive no later than 1:30 for a brief rehearsal. There is a small parking lot and off-street parking throughout the neighborhood. A reception will follow at the church with cake, refreshments, and music.

E-mail info@FamilyEquality.org for more information or call 713-227-1717.

Sponsor: Foundation for Family and Marriage Equality
URL: familyequality.org/page2.html for Calendar of Events.

 

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VIRGINIA

"Crab Fest: A Touch of Summer in February."

February 12, 2006 6 to 9 pm
Location: Merriman's Restaurant in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Pride Inc. invites the local community to attend its "Crab Fest: A Touch of Summer in February." The event will take place Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Merriman's Restaurant in Fredericksburg.

Rob Tanner, the group's president, said he hopes straight people come and find out what FPI is all about.

"It's an opportunity to have some fun and get to know each other," he said.

Tickets and reservations are available at Merriman's, Tanner said. Single tickets are $30 and tickets for pairs are $50.

Included is a menu of snow crab legs, pulled pork barbecue, coleslaw, hush puppies and drink specials.

 

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WASHINGTON

"We Are Family"

Feb 12, 2006, 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Tibbets United Methodist Church, 3940-41st Ave, SW, Seattle, Washington

This event will feature Lambda Legal's National Leadership Council chair attorney Jamie Pedersen and the Religious Coalition for Equality's Rev. Monica Corsaro in "Marriage Equality in Washington State: Where Does it Stand?" and other great topics. Noted sociologist Stephanie Coontz will keynote. She recently wrote the new book Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy or How Love Conquered Marriage. Ticket prices are $20 in advance or $25 at door. For more information contact finance@pnw-rmn.org, call 253-572-8582, or visit www.pnwrmn.org.

 

 

WASHINGTON

"Marriage Equality: The Role of the Courts, the Legislature and the People"

Feb 15, 2006, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Location: Bellevue First United Methodist Church, 1934-108th Ave. NE, Bellevue, Washington

Lambda Legal, League of Women Voters, the King County Bar Association, NW Women's Law Center, the ACLU of WA, QLaw and the American Constitutional Society-Puget Sound Lawyers Chapter present this forum moderated by radio personality Dave Ross. Panelists include former state Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge, NW Women's Law Center executive director Lisa Stone, a Castle plaintiff couple, Families NW leader Jeff Kemp and opposition attorney Steve O'Ban.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact sluthens@lambdalegal.org.