THE MESSAGE
40 Years After Loving V. Virginia
Tomorrow, June 12, 2007, marks the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia, which ended race discrimination in marriage in this country.
On this anniversary, we remember the lessons learned from Loving which apply to the ongoing struggle to end discrimination in marriage for same-sex couples and their families:
- People have to work for change.The Lovings had the courage to speak out and organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, ACLU and Japanese-American Citizens League worked hard on their behalf.
- Courts must have the courage to uphold basic rights and protections when legislators or executive officials fail to obey the Constitution’s mandate of equality.In the end, the Court spoke with courage and clarity in the Loving v. Virginia decision and upheld American values, even against the prejudices of the majority and the passions of the moment.
Keep reading to find out more about the Loving decision and how we can move forward on and beyond this Anniversary!
The Report
Love Counts: The Econcomic Benefits of Marriage Equality for New York (Office of the New York City Comptroller and the Office of Fiscal & Budget Studies) |
The Resource Why the Unamerican Attacks on so-called Activist Judges Must Stop (Freedom to Marry) |
The Number
Today, 50% more Americans support ending discrimination in marriage for same-sex couples than supported ending race discrimination in marriage in 1967. |
The Map
States Banning Interracial Marriage in 1967 |
THE SPOTLIGHT: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Loving
Freedom to Marry has joined with many other civil rights groups to celebrate the Loving 40th Anniversary:
- for its meaning as a milestone in the fight against racial inequality,
- for its importance in securing the freedom to marry as a civil right,
- for its embodiment of the importance of social justice activism and independent courts, and
- for its relevance to today's ongoing battles against unfair exclusion from marriage.
The celebration has included print ads in Roll Call and The Politico, blog ads by Freedom to Marry (see here), and other efforts to spark discussion about couples and lessons from history. The organizations will hold a press conference and a reception on Capitol Hill to mark the historic day, June 12th. Visit Freedom to Marry's Loving webpage to learn more about the decision, our celebration, and how we can work in the spirit of Loving to continue the fight against marriage discrimination today.
THE NEWS
For the latest news, opinions, and polls, including these articles, check out our website.
National
Arguing for Marriage Equality for EveryoneNewsweek; June 8, 2007
Mitchell Gold hopes that reminding people about the Loving decision—and how social arrangements considered morally unacceptable just a few years ago are acceptable today—will help them see it’s wrong to make policy decisions based on some individuals’ interpretation of the Bible.
The Inadequacy of Civil Unions
New York Times; June 7, 2007
In establishing civil unions two years ago, Connecticut lawmakers created a separate and inherently inferior institution
that continues to deny gay couples the equality they seek and deserve.
Regional
Get to the MA ConCon June 14!EDGE Boston; June 1, 2007
Lawmakers and marriage equality activists have given every indication that a second vote will be held June 14 on an amendment that would take away civil marriage rights from same-sex couples.
CA Marriage Equality Bill Advances
Sacramento Bee; June 6, 2007
California's gay and lesbian couples could legally marry in the state under legislation approved Tuesday by the Assembly
for the second time in two years.
