Statement from Human Rights Campaign President on Former Rep. Harold Ford Now Supporting Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples |
| Washington, DC – Today, Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, issued the following statement:
“Congressman Harold Ford’s announcement this morning on the Today Show that he has reversed his position and is now in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples is certainly welcome news. However, it is also going to take more than an overnight conversion for our community to forget and forgive the two votes, one as recently as 2006, the Congressman made in support of George Bush’s Federal Marriage Amendment – an amendment that would have enshrined discrimination into the US Constitution. Not to mention, his outspoken support and personal declaration to vote for the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages in his home state of Tennessee, and the ads he ran promoting his anti-marriage position during his 2006 senate race. These are actions that need to be remedied with a tangible commitment to move equality forward rather than hampering it."
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. |
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Task Force responds to New Jersey marriage equality vote |
| Vows to keep fighting until fundamental freedom is attained
WASHINGTON, DC— The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responded to the New Jersey Senate's failure today to pass a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"The New Jersey Legislature has let down the state and the nation by failing to uphold the promise of equality and the state Constitution's demand that same-sex couples be treated equally. Denying this fundamental freedom to the people of New Jersey — loving, committed same-sex couples and their families — doesn't protect anyone. This action by the Legislature simply places more families in harm's way and makes them more vulnerable to discrimination and hardship.
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D.C. poised to allow same-sex couples to legally marry |
| “As a D.C. resident, I am personally proud of the council for standing so strongly for fairness and affirming the common humanity that bonds each of us.”
— Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
WASHINGTON DC— The D.C. Council today overwhelmingly approved legislation extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. Today’s outcome follows a similarly decisive council vote earlier this month. Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has pledged to sign the bill, has 10 days to act. Once signed, Congress will have 30 legislative days to review it and decide whether to intervene. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force urges Congress to respect home rule.
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Lambda Legal Calls for More Education and Time to Restore Marriage Equality in California |
| "While we’re within striking distance, we’re not there yet."
Los Angeles, CA — Lambda Legal today called for more outreach, education, research and time to change hearts and minds before returning to the ballot to reopen marriage to gay and lesbian couples in California. At least one initiative to restore marriage equality for same-sex couples is currently circulating that, if it qualifies, would appear on the November, 2010 ballot, but Lambda Legal believes that putting this measure to a vote in 2012 is the strongest strategy.
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Lambda Legal Applauds Washington, D.C. Council Vote for Marriage Equality |
| "We are one giant step closer to fairness for same-sex couples and their families in Washington, D.C."
New York, NY— After the Washington, D.C. Council voted in favor of marriage equality Lambda Legal issued the following statement from Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal:
“We are one giant step closer to fairness for same-sex couples and their families in Washington, D.C. We congratulate the members of the Washington, D.C. City Council for their leadership and commitment to equality. Elected officials in New York and New Jersey also have the opportunity to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and we urge them to do so quickly. ”
The marriage equality measure passed 11-2 in the first of two required votes. |
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