WATCH: New public education TV ads debut in Washington and Maine

July 27, 2012

Tonight, during the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, two new television advertisements will debut in Washington and Maine to make the case for the freedom to marry. The ads feature people speaking out about why marriage matters to them and why the support the freedom to marry for all couples. The debuts come at a critical time - we're just 100 days away from the November 6, 2012 election, when voters in Washington and Maine will be asked to vote on marriage at the ballot.

Washingtonians will be voting on Referendum 74, which, if approved, would uphold the freedom to marry across the state, which was passed legislatively in February. Mainers, meanwhile, will be voting on a proactive citizens' initiative that will allow same-sex couples to marry in the state. The final language from the ballot question was released yesterday - the question will read, "Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?"

The Maine advertisement is being heralded as one of the most effective spots from a statewide pro-marriage campaign in years. It features Harlan, a 90-year-old World War II veteran who speaks out about why he wants his granddaughter, Katie, to be able to legally marry her partner, Alex, in Maine. Harlan's been married for 59 years, and in that time, he's realized that "marriage is too precious a thing not to share." The Maine ad was developed by the Why Marriage Matters Maine Project and is funded by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. Watch the Maine ad here, and below:

The Washington advertisement, meanwhile, features former state senator Cheryl Pflug explaining why her Republican values and commitment to freedom compel her to support the law allowing all couples to legally marry. Pflug was one of the key votes earier this year when the Washington state legislature passed through the marriage bill that ended exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in the state. She says in the video, "As a Republican, I believe in freedom, and that includes the freedom to marry the person you love." The Washington ad was developed and sponsored by the Pride Foundation. Watch the ad here, and below:

Keep an eye out as these TV spots circulate in Washington and Maine over the next few months!