Washington — Given the historic nature of the marriage cases before the U.S. Supreme Court this week, the United for Marriage Coalition is hosting a celebration of marriage equality on Tuesday as the high court hears oral argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry (California's Proposition 8 case). New polling shows a supermajority of Americans now back marriage equality, including a majority of Republicans under age 50. Download a media kit on both cases here: http: //bit.ly/YuK77x .
The celebration at the steps of the Court kicks off at 9am with speakers representing a broad cross-section of marriage equality supporters: legendary civil rights leaders, religious and labor champions, Republicans who signed a friend of-the-court brief, and members of the military and National Football League. Everyday families - loving LGBT couples and their families and friends - will explain why marriage matters to them.
UFM, a coalition of more than 150 organizations, has also organized 175 similar events in all 50 states to show the nation is ready for marriage equality.
"Today we stand on the steps of the Supreme Court and on the threshold of history, as the highest court in the land considers one of the most defining civil rights issues of our time. Our gathering at the Supreme Court, as well as all of the powerful events occurring in every state across the country, reflects the vast diversity of support for marriage equality," said National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey. "The array of people and organizations standing up for equality is historic: nearly 300 leading businesses, 30 retired military leaders, 131 top Republicans, 214 sitting members of Congress, and dozens of religious, labor, legal and family health organizations. This is a watershed moment for America."
"Today the children of gay and lesbian parents are standing up for their families outside the Supreme Court," said Sean Carlson, Family Equality Council spokesperson. "The three million parents in America who are LGBT want to marry for the same reasons as everyone else — to share their hopes and dreams, build a future with the person they love, and find someone to grow old with. Our families and our children are living proof that marriage strengthens all families."
"Americans in communities across the country have stepped up and organized around marriage equality in truly momentous ways," said Heather Cronk, Co-Director of GetEQUAL. "In every single state across the country, everyday folks are organizing publicly and powerfully to show their communities' support for equality."
"There's a lot to celebrate given that we've reached the tipping point on marriage equality," said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. "Families all over this country from coast to coast, in red states and in blue, believe in basic fairness and the freedom to marry the person you love. The right to marry the person you love has been upheld by the Court 14 times in its history. It's a fundamental part of who we are as Americans."
"The movement in support of marriage equality has never been deeper or more diverse," said Brian Silva, Marriage Equality USA Executive Director. "Individuals and groups from labor and business, progressives and Republicans, faith leaders and LGBT activists and so many others have worked tirelessly to create over 150 community events and 150 faith gatherings in all 50 states to show that our country believes the time for the freedom to marry for all Americans is now. We are blown away"
"Marriage equality is one of the great civil rights issues of our time, and something our community of organizers cares about deeply," said Ethan Roeder, Executive Director, New Organizing Institute. "NOI is honored to be part of this coalition that's fighting to ensure that love and commitment is recognized equally in America."
The United for Marriage Coalition is a group of LGBT and allied organizations working to elevate the broad support for marriage equality through events in Washington, DC and across the country in advance of the Supreme Court rulings on two marriage cases. Groups leading the United for Marriage efforts include the Family Equality Council, GetEQUAL, GLAAD, Good As You, the Human Rights Campaign, Marriage Equality USA, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the New Organizing Institute.
