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Equal Means Equal, Freedom to Marry applauds latest Massachusetts court decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2004

Evan Wolfson: 'Constitution is clear: let these couples wed'

NEW YORK, February 4, 2004: Today, in response to an inquiry from the legislature regarding the November 2003 decision in favor of marriage equality, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court strongly reaffirmed that there is no good reason to deny same-sex couples the equal freedom to marry, as protected by the Constitution.

Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, said, "Marriage brings tangible as well as intangible protections to families that matter to gay people just as to non-gay people. Equal means equal, and separate-and-unequal regimes such as 'marriage for some couples and civil unions or other lesser protections for other couples' violate the constitutional command of equality. It is time to embrace equality and let these committed couples wed."

"On May 17, 2004 — the fiftieth anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education — civil marriage licenses should be issued (without discrimination) to same-sex couples willing to take on the commitment and follow the rules and responsibilities of marriage. Elected officials should follow the law and do what is clearly right for families — provide the full measure of support and equal respect without delay. That means allowing gay couples the freedom to marry," said Wolfson.

In regards to Massachusetts, anyone wishing to learn more or contribute to this civil rights cause can go to www.massequality.org.

The text of the Court ruling is on Freedom to Marry's website www.freedomtomarry.org; the site includes resources about the national marriage equality debate.

Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Wolfson previously served as marriage project director for Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, and is recognized for his leadership in the marriage equality movement. The National Law Journal has named him one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.

Freedom to Marry, founded in 2003, recently relaunched its web site, www.FreedomtoMarry.org, in anticipation of Freedom to Marry Week, beginning February 8. The Freedom to Marry web site lists some of the events taking place across the country for the Week, and includes a Resource Kit to assist people in taking action on behalf of marriage equality.

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To initiate interviews with Evan Wolfson or for questions regarding Freedom to Marry, or its Voices of Equality, please contact B. Andrew Plant of bizvox Marketing Communications, in Atlanta, 404-634-7102, AtlantaWriter@mindspring.com.

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Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Launched in 2003, Freedom to Marry is headed by Evan Wolfson, nationally recognized as a central "architect of the marriage equality movement." Freedom to Marry guides and focuses this social justice movement on a nationwide level, serving as a strategy and support center for national, state, and local partners, a catalyst that drives and shapes the national debate on marriage equality, and an alliance-builder fostering support from non-gay allies.