Freedom to Marry (46 Articles with 240,875 total views)
Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We are pursuing our Roadmap to Victory by working to win the freedom to marry in more states, grow the national majority for marriage, and end federal marriage discrimination. We partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and the protections, responsibilities, and commitment that marriage brings.
August, 2015
Freedom to Marry Video Celebrates Victory and the Marriage Movement
New York - July 15, 2015 – Today, as it begins the promised campaign wind-down having achieved its goal of winning marriage nationwide, Freedom to Marry released a video celebrating the victory and featuring some of the many people, milestones, and hard work that paved the way. The video can be viewed here: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/WeDidIt
Gallup Poll Shows Stable Support for Marriage Post-SCOTUS Ruling
On Friday, Gallup released a poll that shows 58% of Americans support the freedom to marry following the Supreme Court's nationwide ruling in June and full implementation of the ruling. The findings mirror public support prior to the ruling, indicating its widespread acceptance and an absence of "backlash " predicted by opponents. Read more: http://www.gallup.com/poll/184217/support-gay-marriage-stable-high-court-ruling.aspx
July, 2015
Arkansas Judge Orders State to Respect Legal Marriages of Same-Sex Couples
New York- June 9, 2015 – Today Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen ruled in favor of respecting the marriages of the over 500 same-sex couples who were married in the "window" of the freedom to marry in Arkansas in 2014.
Historic Supreme Court Ruling Brings Joy to Families and Victory to Decades-Long Freedom to Marry Movement
Washington, DC - June 26, 2015 – Today the Supreme Court held that same-sex couples can no longer be denied the freedom to marry guaranteed by the Constitution, assuring that soon all loving and committed couples will be able to marry throughout the United States.
June, 2015
Bush-Appointed Judge Rules in Favor of the Freedom to Marry in Guam
New York - June 5, 2015 – Today, U.S. District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in Guam is unconstitutional. This ruling comes after Guam's Governor Eddie Calvo put a hold on Attorney General Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson's order for officials to begin licensing marriages to same-sex couples last April. Judge Tydingco-Gatewood was appointed to the federal bench by former President George W. Bush back in 2006.
Ireland Becomes First Country to Bring the Freedom to Marry by Popular Vote
New York - May 23, 2015 – Adding to the global momentum for the freedom to marry, today a referendum made the Republic of Ireland the first country in the world to accord same-sex couples the freedom to marry by popular vote.
May, 2015
Chicago Couple Makes History in Clinton Ad
On Sunday, April 12, Nathan Johnson and Jared Milrad were out near their home in Chicago, Illinois, doing some shopping for their wedding, which they're looking forward to this summer after more than six years together as a couple.
Evan Wolfson on Supreme Court Marriage Arguments: 'The case for the freedom to marry and equal respect shone undimmed an
New York - April 28, 2015 – Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard historic oral argument in marriage cases out of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, was in the courtroom and issued this statement:
Freedom to Marry Makes Closing Argument with National Ad
New York - April 26, 2015 – Ahead of Tuesday's oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court, Freedom to Marry released a national TV ad showing that America, all of it, is ready for same-sex couples to marry. The spot begins airing on three Sunday morning political shows and 60 Minutes, in addition to national cable programs throughout next week.
Freedom to Marry, Religious Institute to Host National Weekend of Prayer
New York- April 24, 2015 — With the U.S. Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments in marriage cases on Tuesday April 28, Freedom to Marry in partnership with the Religious Institute and 18 other religious organizations is hosting the National Weekend of Prayer for the Freedom to Marry. Nearly 300 congregations representing 20 different denominations in 46 states across the country will come together in prayer services and at vigils to pray that the values of love and the Golden Rule prevail over fear and discrimination.
New Study Shows Support for the Freedom to Marry Accelerates When State Bans End
New York - April 14, 2015 – Today UCLA's Williams Institute released a new report documenting that in states with the freedom to marry, support grows much more rapidly than in states that continue to exclude same-sex couples from marriage.
April, 2015
Former Solicitor General Dellinger Authors Freedom to Marry's Amicus Brief for U.S. Supreme Court
New York - March 6, 2015 – Today, with former U.S. Solicitor General Walter Dellinger of O'Melveny & Myers as counsel of record, Freedom to Marry is filing a friend-of-the-court brief in support of marriage cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief argues that sexual orientation discrimination should be presumed unconstitutional, even in the absence of explicit judicial heightened scrutiny, and that because there is no legitimate, evidence-based justification for marriage discrimination, the Supreme Court should affirm the freedom to marry throughout the land.
Mayors for the Freedom to Marry Submits Amicus Brief on Marriage to Supreme Court
New York - March 6, 2015 – Three years after its launch in 2012, Mayors for the Freedom to Marry today signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Supreme Court to end marriage discrimination nationwide. The brief includes 226 individually named mayors as well as 40 cities across the country, from towns as small as Thompson, North Dakota, to the five largest cities in the nation, as well as the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the International Municipal Lawyers Association.
Puerto Rican Government Will No Longer Defend Island's Marriage Ban
New York - March 20, 2015 – Today the Puerto Rican government announced that it will no longer defend the territory's law barring same-sex couples from sharing in the freedom to marry. A federal case out of Puerto Rico is currently before the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
Washington Post Ad Showcases Broad Business Support for the Freedom to Marry Nationwide
New York - March 10, 2015 – Freedom to Marry today ran a full-page ad in the Washington Post highlighting the nearly 400 businesses that submitted a friend-of-the-court-brief on Friday in support of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Of the 379 businesses on the brief, more than half – 196 – had not previously signed onto friend-of-the-court briefs supporting marriage.
Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry Responds to Republican National Committee Growth and Opportunity Memo
New York- March 20, 2015 – This week the Republican National Committee released a memo outlining the strides they have made since the 2012 elections. The memo is an update on the progress of the recommendations of the Growth and Opportunity Project, which showed younger voters were troubled by the tone and messaging used by some in the GOP.
March, 2015
Alabama Supreme Court Orders Temporary Hold on Marriages for Same-Sex Couples
Montgomery - March 4, 2015 – The Alabama Supreme Court has ordered probate judges in the state to temporarily stop issuing marriage licenses, aside from probate judge Davis in Mobile, who was specifically ordered to stop enforcing Alabama's ban on marriage for same-sex couples.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Nebraska Marriage Ban
New York - March 2, 2015– Today U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in Nebraska is unconstitutional. The ruling is set to go in effect on March 9th at 8:00 a.m., unless a stay is granted by the 8th Circuit.
First Same-Sex Couple Marries in Texas
Austin - February 19, 2015 – Today Suzanne Bryant and Sarah Goodfriend became the first same-sex couple to legally marry in Texas. They received their marriage license from Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir in Austin, accompanied by their two daughters. The news follows an order on Tuesday from State Judge Guy Herman in which he struck down Texas' ban on marriage between same-sex couples.
For First Time in Polling History, Supermajority of Americans Support Gay Couples' Freedom to Marry as Constitutional Ri
New York - February 19, 2015 – The highest percentage ever of Americans – a 63% supermajority - now back the freedom to marry as a constitutional right for gay couples, according to the latest CNN/ORC poll. This is up 14 percentage points from 2010, with significant increases by both Republicans and Democrats.
Freedom to Marry Video Showcases First Marriages in Alabama
February 13, 2015 - For Valentine's Day, Freedom to Marry has released a video celebrating the joy and happiness of the first weddings for same-sex couples in Alabama this week. On Sunday night, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore ordered local officials to defy a federal court ruling ensuring marriage for same-sex couples. But an order issued yesterday by Judge Callie Granade has led to an increasing number of counties that have opened their doors to same-sex couples. As of this afternoon, 50 out of 67 counties are currently issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples or will do so by next week. You can view the video here: http://youtu.be/r2cP2GiHKdk
February, 2015
Federal Judge Orders Michigan to Respect Legal Marriages of 300 Same-Sex Couples
New York - January 15, 2015 – Today U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ruled that Michigan must respect the marriages of the approximately 300 same-sex couples who married after Judge Bernard Friedman struck down marriage discrimination last March. The decision rebukes the state for refusing to respect those marriages. The ruling came as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to grant review of several marriage cases, including one out of Michigan.
Federal Judge Strikes Down South Dakota Marriage Ban
New York - January 12, 2015 – Today U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in South Dakota is unconstitutional. The ruling is stayed, meaning same-sex couples cannot yet receive marriage licenses in South Dakota.
Freedom to Marry Debuts Alabama TV Ad Ahead of Marriages Commencing on Feb. 9
New York - February 2, 2015 – Following two recent rulings striking down Alabama's ban on marriage for gay couples and last week's sideshow drama by Chief Justice Roy Moore, Freedom to Marry began airing a TV ad across Alabama calling for respect for all families. The ad airs as many anticipate the possible start of marriages in the state beginning February 9.
History in the Making: SCOTUS to Decide on Marriage Once and for All
New York - January 16, 2015 - Following its decision last fall to effectively green light same-sex marriage in 11 states, the U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to hear six consolidated marriage cases out of Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky this term, with a ruling potentially by June. The Court's review will take place on a transformed legal landscape, with gay couples being able to marry in 36 states, covering two-thirds of the American people, and with nearly 60 federal and state courts having struck down discriminatory marriage bans in the past two years.
President Obama Announces Plan to Ensure Social Security for All Married Gay Couples
New York - February 2, 2015 – President Barack Obama's budget proposal includes a change to the Social Security Act that would allow legally married same-sex couples to receive the full array of protections even if they live in one of the 14 states that doesn't respect their marriage.
President Obama Extols Progress Toward the Freedom to Marry Nationwide in State of the Union
New York- January 20, 2015 – Today in his sixth State of the Union address, President Barack Obama extolled progress toward same-sex couples' freedom to marry in America, calling marriage for same-sex couples "a story of freedom across our country, a civil right now legal in states that seven in ten Americans call home."
Rep. Dold (R-IL) Signs On to Respect for Marriage Act
New York - February 2, 2015 – Today Congressman Robert Dold (R-IL) became a cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure that the federal government respects all valid marriages across all agencies. He joins an increasing number of high-profile Republicans who have expressed support for marriage in recent months, including fellow House Republican cosponsors Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Richard Hanna (R-NY).
Republican-Appointed Alabama Judge Strikes Down Marriage Ban in Second Consecutive Ruling
New York - January 27, 2015 -- This week, U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade ruled that same-sex couples in Alabama have the freedom to marry. The victory follows another ruling from the same judge, who was appointed by George W. Bush, on Friday in a separate case. The rulings have both been stayed for 14 days. Unless the stays are extended, same-sex couples should be able to marry in Alabama beginning the week of February 9.
Speaker Boehner: House Republicans Will Not 'Weigh In' On SCOTUS Marriage Cases
New York - February 5, 2015 – Today U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) told the Washington Blade that he does not anticipate that House Republicans will take a position on the marriage cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Boehner said, "I don't expect that we're going to weigh in on this. The court will make its decision and that's why they're there, to be the highest court in the land."
January, 2015
Respect for Marriage Act Reintroduced in Congress to Repeal DOMA
New York - January 6, 2015 – Today Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) reintroduced the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure that the federal government respects all valid marriages across all agencies. The bill has 42 original cosponsors in the Senate, including every returning Senator to the 114th Congress who supported the bill in the past; and 78 cosponsors in the House.
Stay on Marriages in Florida to Expire at Midnight
New York - January 5, 2015 – At midnight tonight, a federal district court ruling in favor of the freedom to marry takes effect in Florida, allowing committed same-sex couples to marry throughout the state. The ruling takes effect after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to extend a stay that was put in place last year. Miami-Dade County began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples earlier today, a result of a judge's order in a separate case. The 11th Circuit has yet to schedule a date to hear appellate arguments.
December, 2014
Federal Judge Affirms the Freedom to Marry in Arkansas
New York - November 25, 2014 – Today U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in Arkansas is unconstitutional.
Federal Judge Affirms the Freedom to Marry in Mississippi
New York - November 25, 2014 – Today U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in Mississippi is unconstitutiona
Federal Judge Affirms the Freedom to Marry in Montana
New York - November 19, 2014 – Today U.S. District Judge Brian Morris ruled in favor of the freedom to marry and respect for same-sex couples' marriages in Montana.
Federal Judge Affirms the Freedom to Marry in South Carolina
New York - November 12, 2014 – Today U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in South Carolina is unconstitutional. The decision also cites a previous ruling from the U.S. Fourth Circuit of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over South Carolina.
Freedom to Marry Launches Texas Marriage Campaign
New York - November 18, 2014 - Freedom to Marry, in partnership with Equality Texas, today launched a public education campaign to amplify the bipartisan momentum for the freedom to marry in the Lone Star State. The campaign, called Texas for Marriage, will highlight that support as well as the continued harms that committed gay couples face everyday until the state's marriage case, DeLeon v Perry, is decided by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals early next year.
Judge Affirms the Freedom to Marry in Missouri
New York - November 7, 2014 – Today U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in Missouri is unconstitutional. The ruling comes just two days after St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison also declared Missouri's ban unconstitutional, and a month after a state ruling which found that Missouri must respect the legal marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere.
Marriages for Same-Sex Couples to Begin in Florida After Jan. 5
New York - December 3, 2014 – Today the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to extend a stay on marriages for same-sex couples in Florida. The stay expires at the end of the day on January 5, meaning that same-sex couples should be free to receive marriage licenses after that.
November, 2014
Arizona Becomes 31st State with Same-Sex Couples' Freedom to Marry
New York - October 17, 2014 – Today Arizona Republican Attorney General Tom Horne announced that he will not appeal a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick, which held that Arizona's law denying the freedom to marry to same-sex couples is unconstitutional. Arizona is now the 31st state where same-sex couples can marry, up from 19 at the beginning of October.
Federal Judge Affirms the Freedom to Marry in Kansas
New York - November 4, 2014 – Today U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree ruled in favor of the freedom to marry in Kansas.
Judge Affirms the Freedom to Marry in Missouri
New York - November 5, 2014 – Today St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison ruled that denying marriage for same-sex couples in Missouri is unconstitutional.
New Report: Inconsistent Marriage Laws Cost Businesses $1.3 Billion Annually
SAN FRANCISCO, November 6, 2014 — Today Freedom to Marry and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates released a new report estimating that the remaining patchwork of marriage laws for same-sex couples across the United States costs businesses in the private sector $1.3 billion every year. Over the next five years, the private sector is expected to spend $6.6 billion in order to accommodate laws that allow same-sex couples to marry in some states, but prohibit them from marrying in others.
Wrong Side of History: 6th Circuit Rules Against the Freedom to Marry, Creating Split in Circuits
New York - Nov 6, 2014 – Today the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati became the first federal appellate court in over a year to rule against the freedom to marry. The ruling overturned lower court decisions out of Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan, all of which found that denying marriage to gay couples is unconstitutional. The 6th Circuit's decision is in conflict with favorable marriage rulings in virtually every court up until this point, including the 4th, 7th, 9th, and 10th circuits and a strong majority of the American people.
October, 2014
9th Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms the Freedom to Marry
New York - October 7, 2014 – Today the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed same-sex couples' freedom to marry in cases out of Idaho and Nevada. The ruling paves also the way for the freedom to marry in Alaska, Montana, and Arizona.
Supreme Court Lets Marriage Wins Stand
New York - October 6, 2014 – Today the Supreme Court denied review of five cases seeking the freedom to marry, leaving standing marriage victories in several federal circuits and opening the door to the freedom to marry in many more states, while deferring for another day the national resolution that Freedom to Marry, businesses, elected officials, and families across the country had urged now. The Court's decision not to review the rulings means that soon as many as 60% of the American people will be living in freedom to marry states, with a majority of the states (30) having the freedom to marry for all.
Freedom to Marry
Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We are pursuing our Roadmap to Victory by working to win the freedom to marry in more states, grow the national majority for marriage, and end federal marriage discrimination. We partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and the protections, responsibilities, and commitment that marriage brings.
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