Ten entertainers who support the freedom to marry
September 13, 2010
Ten entertainers who support the freedom to marry:
Amid its glitz and glamour, Hollywood has long been known for its overwhelming support of full LGBT equality. The strong support of marriage equality among some of Hollywood’s leading names has shifted discussions of marriage into the mainstream media, forcing the public to take note. We are fortunate to have countless actors, musicians, directors, and writers as staunch allies in the nationwide campaign to win marriage nationwide. Our Voices for Equality program has highlighted these visible allies, and we’ll continue to do so in the years to come! Take a look at some of our more notable Voices for Equality in the Arts & Entertainment sector, and be sure to check out our full list of Voices for Equality.
Mariah Carey is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress who has sold over 175 million albums worldwide. On October 10, 2009, Ms. Carey displayed her support for marriage equality by inviting two men onto the stage at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, so that one could propose to the other. Mariah brought out champagne for the two men, led them in a toast, and then gave them a big hug before the cheering audience at the Pearl. “I’m glad I could be of help,” she said
Stephen Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian and host of The Colbert Report. Mr. Colbert has been a tireless satirist of anti-gay groups' efforts to use fear and falsehoods to influence opinions about marriage equality.
Amid its glitz and glamour, Hollywood has long been known for its overwhelming support of full LGBT equality. The strong support of marriage equality among some of Hollywood’s leading names has shifted discussions of marriage into the mainstream media, forcing the public to take note. We are fortunate to have countless actors, musicians, directors, and writers as staunch allies in the nationwide campaign to win marriage nationwide. Our Voices for Equality program has highlighted these visible allies, and we’ll continue to do so in the years to come! Take a look at some of our more notable Voices for Equality in the Arts & Entertainment sector, and be sure to check out our full list of Voices for Equality.
Mariah Carey is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress who has sold over 175 million albums worldwide. On October 10, 2009, Ms. Carey displayed her support for marriage equality by inviting two men onto the stage at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, so that one could propose to the other. Mariah brought out champagne for the two men, led them in a toast, and then gave them a big hug before the cheering audience at the Pearl. “I’m glad I could be of help,” she said
Stephen Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian and host of The Colbert Report. Mr. Colbert has been a tireless satirist of anti-gay groups' efforts to use fear and falsehoods to influence opinions about marriage equality.
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Whoopi Goldberg is an American actress, comedienne, singer-songwriter, activist, and media personality. Goldberg, who has frequently vocalized her support for marriage equality on The View is a proud signer of Freedom to Marry's Marriage Resolution.
Lady Gaga is widely known for her support of the LGBT community, crediting it for her mainstream success. On Sunday, October 11, 2009, at the Marriage Equality March in Washington, D.C., Lady Gaga delivered a powerful speech to the huge crowd gathered on the mall calling on President Obama and Congress for full equality for the LGBT community.
Seth MacFarlane is an American animator, writer, producer, actor, singer,voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. After tackling marriage equality in an episode of Family Guy, MacFarlane remarked, “Every civil-rights conflict—black people, women—comes to an end in the right way."
Bill Maher is an American stand-up comedian, television host, social and political commentator, and host of HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher. On October 9, 2009, Mr. Maher wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Huffington Post, in which he remarked:
Lady Gaga is widely known for her support of the LGBT community, crediting it for her mainstream success. On Sunday, October 11, 2009, at the Marriage Equality March in Washington, D.C., Lady Gaga delivered a powerful speech to the huge crowd gathered on the mall calling on President Obama and Congress for full equality for the LGBT community.
Seth MacFarlane is an American animator, writer, producer, actor, singer,voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. After tackling marriage equality in an episode of Family Guy, MacFarlane remarked, “Every civil-rights conflict—black people, women—comes to an end in the right way."
Bill Maher is an American stand-up comedian, television host, social and political commentator, and host of HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher. On October 9, 2009, Mr. Maher wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Huffington Post, in which he remarked:
Tomorrow night President Obama will speak before a gay rights group, and on Sunday there will be a massive gay rally in Washington... Which makes this weekend the perfect time for Obama to announce he's repealing "don't ask, don't tell" and committing to a full-throated endorsement of marriage equality.
Jason Mraz is an American singer-songwriter who has sold hundreds of thousands of albums around the world. In a note posted to his Facebook discussing the freedom to marry, Jason wrote:
"Everyone Deserves Music
Everyone Deserves Love
Everyone Reserves the Right to Express
The Light that They Are Made Of
-Jason Mraz,
Standing Up for Equality"
Pink is an American singer & songwriter who has sold more than 10 million albums in the US and over 30 million records worldwide. When asked by The Advocate to share her thoughts on the freedom to marry, she replied:
“If you wanna marry 'Joe millionaire,' go ahead. If you're a celebrity and you wanna marry your high school sweetheart for 55 hours, go right ahead. If you're J.Lo, and you wanna marry 18 people, for 6 days each, hey! Go right on ahead! But if you happen to be reasonably minded and have fallen in love and wanna marry your soul mate and make a life of it, and you just so happen to be the same sex, then NO! How dare you! You demon creatures! We'd rather you just buy gasoline and support our war and continue to consume and fear in our country so we can make money off you. But do us a favor — don't hold hands in public. Love, Pink.”
Natalie Portman is an Israeli American actress. In an interview with W Magazine, Portman remarked, “Why are they making rules that say my lover can stay in the United States if they're foreign or share my health care benefits because I'm straight but if you're gay, you can't have that?"
Perhaps best known for his role as Doogie Howser M.D., Neil Patrick Harris was awarded AfterEltons Gay/Bisexual man of the decade! He recently announced that he and his partner David Burtka are expecting twins this fall.
Freedom to Marry salutes these entertainers for lending their voices to equality!