Respect for Marriage Coalition launches website and grassroots toolkit

Today, the Respect for Marriage Coalition, a broad coalition of 75 organizations that oppose the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act, launched a website featuring critical information about the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that would overturn DOMA, which prohibits federal recognition of legally married same-sex couples. 

The website features a grassroots toolkit with materials and resources designed to help people get involved in the movement to overturn DOMA and pass the Respect for Marriage Act. These resources include a sample letter to the editor and editorial for constituents to submit to their local newspaper, sample language to discuss the importance of the freedom to marry in online media, invitations for other organizations to join the Coalition, news and updates, and fact sheets. The website will also become the primary place where organizations can sign up to become new members of the Coalition.

Freedom to Marry's founder and president Evan Wolfson heralded the launch of the website in a release this morning. He said:

Americans understand the Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated, and know that our nation's commitment to liberty and justice for all really does apply to 'all.' The work being done by the Respect for Marriage Coalition empowers the majority for marriage with on-the-ground tools to engage in the personal conversations and public dialogue that will continue to move the country to support the freedom to marry. The grassroots actions spurred by the Coalition will help us repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, restoring the normal practice of federal respect for marriages lawfully celebrated in the state, without DOMA's 'gay exception.'

The Human Rights Campaign's president, Chad Griffin, also sounded off about the Coalition. He said:

Hearts and minds are changing and Americans are embracing equality and acceptance. It's time for Congress to catch up with the people in treating everyone with dignity and respect by passing the Respect for Marriage Act. It is important to give constituents the power to participate in the political process at this momentous time in our nation's history.  

Coalition chairs Freedom to Marry and the Human Rights Campaign launched the Respect for Marriage Coalition in February, and since then, over 70 other organizations - including groups related to LGBT issues, faith, law, medicine, labor, and civil rights - have signed on as coalition members. Freedom to Marry is proud to stand with these organizations in support of the successful passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. With our strength in numbers, the Coalition is making it known that support for the freedom to marry is expansive and encompasses all kinds of people and constituency groups - and that it continues to grow each day.