A Note from Evan Wolfson
In 1790 George Washington declared, “As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.”
In its sharply divided 5-4 ruling at the end of July, the State Supreme Court fell short of Washington’s principle of fairness, failing, for now, to end the exclusion of committed gay couples and their kids from marriage, with all its protections, security, and meaning.
What’s to be said about the court’s ruling?
It was a splintered court—four justices joined powerful dissents (Justice Bridge’s and Justice Fairhurst’s dissents are must-reads.) A three-justice plurality applying the wrong standard of review—one that was undeservedly, hopelessly, and self-fulfillingly deferential—was joined by two justices in a fiery anti-gay concurrence, making up the margin of defeat.
We cannot accept the right’s invitation (or that of some of our “friends”) to declare our fight over and slink away. And we should not let our politicians off the hook by saying it can’t happen here in Washington or that it will take forever; you don’t rally people to action or hold politicians accountable by declaring at the outset that your goal is beyond your reach. The work ahead will entail organization, outreach, lobbying, education, and supporting candidates who are for marriage (and replacing those who are not).
Click HERE to read the rest of Evan’s Note.
Follow developments in the movement for marriage equality on our website, and in future issues of Freedom to Marry's bi-monthly E-Update.
Marriage Matters
Civic, religious, civil rights leaders join to declare ‘Marriage Matters’ in a broad, new affirmative ad campaign
In full-page newspaper advertisements that began on July 25, 2006, and appeared from coast to coast, more than 60 civic, religious, labor and civil rights leaders and organizations declared their commitment to working toward equality for gay and lesbian families. The ads, titled "Marriage Matters," appeared in 51 publications, including the New York Times, the Fresno Bee (Calf.), the Cedar Rapids Gazette (Iowa), the Raleigh News & Observer (N.C.), the Capital Gazette (Md.), the Cook County Daily Herald (Ill.) and La Opinion (Calif). The advertisements come at a moment of widening and deepening support for the legal recognition of same-sex relationships, including the freedom to marry.
Two-thirds of the signatories are non-gay allies, including nine prominent labor leaders, heads of six leading civil rights organizations, 11 religious leaders and nine mayors, in addition to 14 national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations.
Click HERE to read more.
Freedom to Marry welcomes a new Voice of Equality
UUA President Rev. William G. Sinkford has signed on as a Voice of Equality with Freedom to Marry.
The Rev. William G. Sinkford, 59, was elected president of the Unitarian Universalist Association in June, 2001. As president of this liberal denomination, he is responsible to the UUA Board of Trustees for administering staff and programs that serve its more than 1,000 member congregations. He also acts as principal spokesperson and minister-at-large for the Association.
“Like so many people of conscience, Unitarian Universalists are saddened by the recent setbacks in the struggle for marriage equality,” said Rev. Sinkford in response to the recent ruling against equal marriage rights by the Washington Supreme Court. “Today we are even more keenly aware that our society has a long way to go before we fully honor every person's inherent worth and dignity.”
Read Rev. Sinkford's statement decrying the WA Supreme Court ruling against marriage equality in its entirety HERE.
The Latest News
For the latest news, opinions, and polls, including these articles, check out our website.
Marriage and "Backlash": The fight is worth it
William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal
July 31, 2006
Drawing on parallels from other civil rights chapters in American history, Prof. Carlos Ball concludes that the progress made in fighting for and winning
the freedom to marry outweighs the costs and "backlash" gay families have endured, inherent in any social justice struggle.
Winning amidst setbacks
New York Times
July 30, 2006
Dan Savage writes, "These defeats have demoralized supporters of gay marriage, but I see a silver lining. If heterosexual instability and the link
between heterosexual sex and human reproduction are the best arguments opponents of same-sex marriage can muster, I can’t help but feel that our side must be
winning. Insulting heterosexuals and discriminating against children with same-sex parents may score the other side a few runs, but these strategies won’t
win the game."
Top MD court takes up marriage
case
Baltimore Sun
July 27, 2006
Appeal challenging ruling that ban is unconstitutional to be heard in December.
