A Note from Evan Wolfson
I am excited to say the 10th annual observance of Freedom to Marry Week was truly the greatest celebration for marriage equality to date. Nearly one hundred events for the week were registered on our website, we dispersed 17 mini-grants to an exceptionally diverse set of groups across the country, print materials about the freedom to marry were sent to more than 500 groups, and over 100 articles, op-eds, or letters to the editor were published nationwide. Possibly the most ground-breaking success of the week was our utilization of online advertising and dialogue on blogs to convey our message. Nearly 54 million people viewed our internet ads, and thousands logged on to our website – spiking our web traffice to an all-time high – to request information, register events, or download tools to help them in their Freedom to Marry Week activities. Thank you and congratulations to all those who contributed to this year's momentous week.
The dialogue for marriage equality continued with happenings in New Jersey. As civil unions began in New Jersey on February 18, Garden State Equality and others in New Jersey made clear that only the freedom to marry itself would fully protect couples and the fight continues. Weighing in on why civil unions are not equal to marriage, the Hartford Courant highlighted my argument that legislators have to ask themselves a simple question: Either civil unions and marriages are the same - in which case why do we need two lines at the clerk's office? Or they're not the same, in which case what is the government withholding from these couples and their kids?
As you can't help noticing, the 2008 election is already upon us, and marriage equality and fairness for all families is in the spotlight, alongside Iraq, healthcare, and other weighty concerns. Pam's House Blend presents an excellent overview of what the presidential candidates are saying thus far: either denying equal rights all-together or using the separate and unequal civil unions as a cop out, a solution to an issue they do not want to deal with in their campaigns. Since politicians rarely lead the way on social justice, it is up to all of us who care about what kind of country we have to make the case and do the heavy lifting, creating the space in which candidates and electeds can rise. This early in the debates, it is time to make the case for why marriage matters. We can get others to talk and think about this, and they will move faster if we tell them why we care, rather than begin by saying we don't.
Follow developments in the movement for marriage equality on our website, and in future issues of Freedom to Marry's bi-monthly E-Update.
Reports from the Front
Civil Unions in New Jersey
February 18th marked the first day in New Jersey that same-sex couples were allowed to apply for civil unions. Although civil unions remain a separate, intermediate step apart from marriage, many New Jerseyans celebrated the rights gained by civil unions. On Wednesday, February 21st in Asbury Park, a Jersey shore town with a thriving and active gay community, two couples were joined in after-midnight ceremonies at a party sponsored by Garden State Equality and the jersey shore Q spot .
The event was part ceremony, part political rally. Two couples, joined by a room full of gay and non-gay well-wishers, were read two sets of vows. First, the Rev. Bob Krieset asked the couples — Thomas Mannix and Kevin Pilla, Degn Schubert and Mark Rado — to vow to continue fighting for marriage equality. Then Mayor Kevin Sanders officiated in the exchange of civil union vows. Being able to celebrate gaining some rights was a cherished affair for those involved, but all present were definitely aware of the second-class citizenship which is perpetuated with civil unions, and the need for us to continue fighting for nothing less than the freedom to marry.
Rhode Island Attorney General Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages
Just last Wednesday, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch wrote an opinion supporting marriage recognition in Rhode Island which said, “It is our opinion based on all of the foregoing that whether based on Full Faith and Credit or on principles of Comity, Rhode Island will recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in Massachusetts as marriage in Rhode Island.” The opinion was highlighted in a New York Times article on February 22nd. We need to encourage others to see that it makes more sense to respect couples' marriages, rather than destabilize them.
Connecticut and Illinois Introduce Marriage Equality Legislation
Last Thursday, Illinois State Representative Greg Harris introduced a bill to end same-sex couples' exclusion from marriage. In the Chicago Tribune Rep. Harris said, “Illinois is a heartland state but has always been a leader in civil rights and social justice issues. It's the right thing to do.” When asked why Rep. Harris wrote a bill for equal marriage instead of civil unions, he said, “marriage is the fully equal term and that's where we want to begin.”
Similar legislation is pending in Connecticut, and a recent barrage of pro-marriage equality editorials and articles (Hartford Courant, New Haven Independent, Hartford Courant) along with positive polling results (Quinnipiac Poll) show the positive momentum is building. According to State Rep. Mike Lawlor, passage of the bill is “inevitable” because civil unions are separate and unequal, and just not good enough. Governor Rell has promised to veto a marriage equality bill, but Lawlor believes there is still hope to persuade her to sign marriage equality into law.
Evan Wolfson Debates Again in New York
Pace Law School hosts “Should State Legislatures Approve Same-Sex Marriages” on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 7 p.m. in the Pace Law School New York State Judicial Institute Lecture Hall. The featured speakers will be our very own Executive Director, Evan Wolfson, and David Blankenhorn, founder and president of the Institute for American Values. Attendance is free and open to the public. To register online, visit www.law.pace.edu/ppls or call 914-422-4123
The Latest News
For the latest news, opinions, and polls, including these articles,
check out our website.
Dark horse contenders like Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska) are calling for marriage equality at a time when more popular candidates are stumping for civil unions.
Married to the cause, one state at a time
The New York Times
February 16, 2007
"One state down, 49 to go," Mr. Wolfson says of Freedom to Marry's success rate. "Gay marriage is not what we're looking for. We're looking for the legal right for gays to marry. You don't ask for half a loaf. We don't need two lines at the clerk's office when there's already an institution that works in this country, and it's called marriage. One of the main protections that come with marriage is inherent in the word: certainly in times of crisis any other word than marriage would not bring the same clarity or impart the same dignity."
