National leaders speak out for marriage equality for same-sex couples

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, February 11, 2004 — Freedom to Marry has chosen tomorrow — national Freedom to Marry Day — to announce its initial slate of Voices of Equality, which includes two members of Congress and a Pulitzer and Tony award winning playwright.

Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality (for same-sex couples) nationwide. The group's Voices of Equality "speak out for an end to discrimination in civil marriage and bring the weight of their influence and expertise to the fight," says Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry.

Wolfson announced Freedom to Marry's Voices of Equality, noting that the group would grow "as the momentum of the marriage equality movement continues to grow:"

Mayor Rocky Anderson
Salt Lake City, Utah

Ruth Berman & Connie Kurtz
Human Rights Advocates
Brooklyn, NY

The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston
President and Dean
Episcopal Divinity School
Cambridge, MA

Fernando Ferrer
President
Drum Major Institute
New York, NY

Tony Kushner
Writer/Director
New York, NY

Congressman John Lewis
(D-Georgia)
Atlanta, GA

Rev. Dr. Thomas Mikelson
Senior Minister
First Parish (Unitarian-Universalist)
Cambridge, MA

Rev. Elder Troy Perry
Founder
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
Los Angeles, CA

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
(D-Illinois)
Chicago/Skokie, IL

The Rt. Rev. Bennett J. Sims
Episcopal Bishop (Retired)
Hendersonville, NC

Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Director
The Shalom Center
Philadelphia, PA

State Senator Sam Zamarripa
Atlanta, GA

Freedom to Marry calls on its "Voices" to make personal appearances related to the marriage equality issue, asks them to bring other luminaries into the fold, directs media to them for commentary regarding the fight for civil marriage equality and generally asks these representatives to speak out, whether through the course of their own work or through op-ed writings or other activities specifically devoted to Freedom to Marry's work.

"When a civil rights hero like John Lewis lifts his voice in support, it sends an important message to the American people, bringing the country together through this crucial dialogue," Wolfson says. "Likewise, when the Right Reverend Bennett Sims graciously takes time from his work as an author and founder of the servant-leadership movement to help advance the marriage equality movement, people of faith take notice and look into their own hearts regarding this issue."

"We are honored to have all of these impressive and generous leaders lend their voices toward marriage equality for same-sex couples," Wolfson says. "Their involvement significantly enhances our movement and further empowers our work. They help create an environment in which everyone can do the right thing — making civil (legal) marriage equality a reality."

Prior to joining Freedom to Marry, Wolfson was marriage project director for Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund. He has participated in a number of landmark marriage, human rights and HIV/AIDS cases. The National Law Journal has named him one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.

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Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Launched in 2003, Freedom to Marry is headed by Evan Wolfson, nationally recognized as a central "architect of the marriage equality movement." Freedom to Marry guides and focuses this social justice movement on a nationwide level, serving as a strategy and support center for national, state, and local partners, a catalyst that drives and shapes the national debate on marriage equality, and an alliance-builder fostering support from non-gay allies.