Freedom to Marry E-Update
Issue # 8 | December 14, 2005

On the Horizon South Africa sets one year deadline for marriage equality

South Africa, continuing its breathtaking journey to equality, inclusion, and human dignity, has become the first nation on the African continent to stand up for marriage equality. On December 1st the Constitutional Court, South Africa's highest tribunal, ruled that the denial of marriage to gay and lesbian individuals is unconstitutional.

The ruling gave Parliament one year to make the necessary changes and remove the restriction denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry. Once Parliament enacts the ruling, South Africa will become the fifth country in the world to end marriage discrimination, setting an example for Africa, where homosexuality remains largely taboo and often illegal, and for nations around the world where lesbian and gay couples continue to fight for equal rights, including here in the US.

The historic ruling says,

"The exclusion of same-sex couples from the benefits and responsibilities of marriage was not a small and tangential inconvenience resulting from a few surviving relics of societal prejudice destined to evaporate like the morning dew. It represented a harsh if oblique statement by the law that same-sex couples are outsiders, and that their need for affirmation and protection of their intimate relations as human beings is somehow less than that of heterosexual couples. It signifies that their capacity for love, commitment and accepting responsibility is by definition less worthy of regard than that of heterosexual couples. The intangible damage to same-sex couples is as severe as the material deprivation. They are not entitled to celebrate their commitment to each other in a joyous public event recognised by the law. They are obliged to live in a state of legal blankness in which their unions remain unmarked by the showering of presents and the commemoration of anniversaries so celebrated in our culture." [Read the complete ruling].

South Africa has shown us that while the road to freedom is neither short nor easy, it can and must be done -- and with a conscious commitment to the inclusiveness of everyone. The move toward recognizing and honoring the love and commitment of lesbian and gay couples and their families came back to back this month from both South Africa and Great Britain. The events served as a reminder, much like this summer when Canada and Spain extended full marriage rights to lesbian and gay couples, that America, once a respected world leader, is falling sharply behind in the area of equal rights.

For information about the organizations involved in this crucial victory, click here.

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Landscape
Speaking Out!

There is no better way to communicate who we are and the depths of our commitment to our partners than by telling the truth of our lives. Telling our stories to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers, and representing how the issue directly affects us to the media remains our strongest weapon for moving the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens. A number of our national and regional partners offer media and speakers' bureau trainings, as well as helpful tip sheets for those who just want to increase their skills at talking about the issue. Check our website for helpful hints.

In the fight to win and defend marriage equality nationwide, we always need more voices, more stories, and more people speaking out against discrimination. News stories that move people to fairness rely not on professional speakers, but on ordinary people who suffer from discrimination in marriage. Polish your media skills with media training and become a spokesperson for marriage equality.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has long been a media relations leader in our community. GLAAD's media training curricula, including trainings specifically addressing issues surrounding marriage equality, highlights a broad range of media skills from improving and building on what you already know, to more advanced topics.

Basic Rights Oregon's "Speak Now" speaker's bureau involves people willing to help educate voters statewide on the relevant issues pertaining to marriage equality. They will provide the training, as well as match you with appropriate community events. Whether you are looking for training, or are interested requesting a speaker for your class, community group, church, business, or any other setting, don't hesitate in contacting this wonderful resource!

The Action Wisconsin Speakers Network is a non-partisan, statewide effort to inform Wisconsinites about the proposed state constitutional amendment to ban both equal marriage rights and civil unions. The Speakers Network is made up of hundreds of trained speakers in all corners of the state. Action Wisconsin trains speakers on how to best bring their personal stories to the debate about the amendment.

There are other state wide organizations featuring speaker's bureaus, media trainings, and helpful information about how to talk about the issue whether you are gay, non-gay, partnered or single. For a list of the protections that come with marriage -- protections you and your loved ones are deprived of because you can't get married -- click here. And don't forget to check out the Get Involved area of our website for more ways to stay engaged in the fight for the freedom to marry.

Below is a brief selection of state resources available. For more information, visit our website -- to find your state click here.

Empire State Pride Agenda (NY)

Marriage Equality RI

Equality California

Freedom to Marry Foundation of Massachusetts (media training partnered with GLAAD)

Love Makes a Family (CT)

The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center

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