ACTION ALERT: Join The Freedom To Marry Nationwide Marriage Equality Campaign Launched on Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day marked with nationwide rallies, protests to call attention to marriage equality Advocates for same-sex marriage marked this year’s Valentine’s Day with rallies and protests across the nation, many responding to a call from GetEQUAL and Marriage Equality USA to raise awareness about federal marriage equality. “As we cheer on our heterosexual fellow citizens who are able to marry on this wonderful day of love, we will remind the world that falling in love and the desire to marry the person you love is a universal sentiment and that all citizens should have the freedom to marry the one they love.” said Molly McKay, Marriage Equality U.S.A. media director, in a press statement. In at least 25 cities nationwide, same-sex marriage couples requested marriage licenses Monday to highlight the fact that they are denied full marriage equality in 45 U.S. states, and also denied federal recognition in the five states and District of Columbia where same-sex marriage is legal. More: http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/02/valentines-day-marked-with-rallies-protests-to-call-attention-to-marriage-equality/ >From Freedom To Marry: Just the Facts Why do gay and lesbian couples want to get married?For similar reasons as anyone who wants to marry. To stand in front of friends and family to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love. To share the joys and the sorrows that life brings. To be a family, and to be able to protect that family. As more Americans consider what it means to allow same-sex couples to join in civil marriage, you may have questions about what it means and how it works. Here are answers to some common questions: Does this change the definition of marriage?No. Allowing same-sex couples to marry does not change the meaning of marriage. It simply allows same-sex couples to marry the person they love, to establish and protect a family and to make a lifetime commitment in the same way that other couples are able to. How would gay and lesbian couples marry?All couples who marry get a civil marriage through a license, usually obtained at a courthouse or City Hall. States could make civil marriage available to same-sex couples. Some couples also choose to marry in a religious setting. This would not change. Does civil marriage for gay couples affect churches or other religious institutions?No. It does not affect religious marriages, religious institutions or clergy in any way. No religion would be forced to marry same-sex couples, or recognize same-sex marriage within the context of their religious beliefs. Aren’t there other alternatives to marriage for gay and lesbian couples?There have been attempts to create marriage-like relationships, but they don’t work. For example, Domestic Partnership and Civil Union laws still don’t qualify a spouse or children for health care coverage that employers only extend through marriage. If a loved one is sick and needs to take time off from work, same-sex couples are not eligible for family leave. More questions? Check out our full Q and A page. http://www.whymarriagematters.org/pages/just-the-facts Take Action, Join The Freedom Tpo Marry Campaign Sign the Pledge Help build a Majority for Marriage: Sign your name to the Freedom to Marry pledge supporting marriage rights for all Americans. Sign the Pledge! Ask Your Elected Officials to Stand Up for Marriage Your elected officials need to know that their constituents insist on Marriage Equality for all Americans. Use this simple tool to send a letter to your elected officials urging them to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act. Ask Your Elected Officials Now! Donate Make a secure contribution to Freedom to Marry. Your donation will be used to fund the research and fieldwork we do all over the country to help make marriage equality a reality. Make a Donation Now! Sign Up and Help Here: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pages/take-action -- Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time. Have a great day, Tommy -- Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time. Have a great day, Tommy -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more.
