Civil and Human Rights Coalition Mourns Passing of Edith Windsor
WASHINGTON — Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement on the passing of Edith Windsor, who was the named plaintiff in a successful legal challenge to Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as applying only to heterosexual couples for purposes of federal law:
"Edie Windsor was unafraid to stand up when she knew she was being discriminated against, and ultimately, the Supreme Court agreed. Because of her bravery, the nation saw a significant leap forward for LGBTQ equality. While much work remains, the actions of courageous individuals like Edie have helped move us forward as we work towards a more perfect union. We extend our sympathies to her wife, Judith Kasen-Windsor, and all those who were touched by this amazing woman."
Statement from President Obama, at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Statement-from-President-Obama-on-the-Passing-of-Edith-Windsor/60353.html .
Lambda Legal Statement on Passing of Edie Windsor
Edie Windsor, plaintiff in the landmark case United States v. Windsor, which struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and helped pave the way for marriage equality nationwide, has passed away. She was 88 years old. Susan Sommer, Lambda Legal's Director of Constitutional Litigation, has issued the following statement:
"Our hearts are with Edie's wife, Judith Kasen-Windosr, their family, friends and all whose lives were changed because Edie so fearlessly stood up for herself and her community. She called for the respect and dignity denied to same-sex spouses, and the Supreme Court heard her plea. Because of Edie, we are a more perfect union. She left an indelible mark on all who knew her story, and all whose love is now recognized and protected because of the victory she helped secure for LGBT people. Thank you Edie. You will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude. We will miss you."
The Human Rights Campaign Remembers Marriage Equality Pioneer Edith Windsor
WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, responded to the tragic news that Edith "Edie" Windsor has passed away at the age of 88.
"Edie Windsor is a hero and civil rights icon who pushed our country closer to the promise of a more perfect union," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "Future generations will learn how she faced down discrimination with courage and defiance, and boldly challenged the United States government to treat her marriage to Thea Spyer equally under the law — as our Constitution guarantees. After Edie Windsor succeeded in defeating the Defense of Marriage Act, she continued to push forward, galvanizing the support of hundreds of thousands of Americans in support of the Obergefell case before the United States Supreme Court in 2015. We join millions across the nation in mourning the loss of Edie Windsor, and share our deepest condolences with her wife, Judith Kasen-Windsor."
Windsor, plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor, successfully challenged and defeated the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 2013. Her case was argued by Roberta Kaplan, and helped pave the way for the 2015 Supreme Court decision that granted nationwide marriage equality, Obergefell v. Hodges. Windsor was also the first signatory on the "People's Brief," a first-of-its-kind amicus brief signed by more than 200,000 Americans — the largest such brief in history — and submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of marriage equality in the Obergefell case.
As a leader and icon in the fight for marriage equality, Edie Windsor became a hero to millions and her advocacy continued well beyond the Supreme Court. Her marriage to Thea Spyer and fight for marriage equality was chronicled in the documentary "Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement."
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
From a Victory Institute press release
Washington, DC — Victory Institute President & CEO Aisha C. Moodie-Mills released the following statement in response to the passing of Edith Windsor, plaintiff in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor:
"Our fierce heroine Edith Windsor devoted her final years to her people — the LGBTQ community — and will be remembered as a seminal figure in our inevitable march toward equality. Edith felt deeply the injustice of being denied the right to marry her partner of more than 40 years, and she committed herself to fighting back with determination and a smile. I will never forget Edith standing on the steps of the Supreme Court, describing marriage as more than just rights and benefits but also as 'magic' — a powerful recognition of indescribable love. Edith opened the door for all LGBTQ Americans to experience this magic — and we are forever indebted to her because of it."
Victory Institute
Victory Institute works to increase the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in public office and to provide programming, service, and other support to ensure their success.
victoryinstitute.org .
PFLAG National on the Passing of Edie Windsor
"We've lost a lesbian national treasure, someone who committed to love and never stopped pushing for change..."
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On the passing of Edie Windsor, PFLAG National—the nation's largest and oldest organization uniting families and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ)—released the following statement from Executive Director Jaime M. Grant, Ph.D.:
"We've lost a lesbian national treasure, someone who committed to love and never stopped pushing for change and justice. Edie had such joy for life, and gave our community so much. I hope she felt our love for her, and that we gave back to her in the same way she gave to all of us."
PFLAG is the nation's largest organization uniting families, allies, and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ). PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy, and has nearly 400 chapters and 200,000 supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. To learn more, visit pflag.org, like us on Facebook (/pflag), or follow us on Twitter (@pflag) or Instagram.
SAGE Mourns the Passing of Edie Windsor
SAGE is deeply saddened to learn of the death of our hero, supporter, and friend, Edie Windsor, on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at the age of 88. Windsor, known nationally for paving the way for the rights of same-sex couples to marry under federal law, worked tirelessly for her beloved LGBT community and has been a staunch advocate of SAGE, the nation's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT elders.
"Words can't describe how important Edie Windsor is to SAGE and LGBT elders across the country," says SAGE CEO Michael Adams. "Long before she was a household name, Edie was as an early leader of SAGE, serving multiple terms on our Board of Directors. She shed her brilliant light in every corner of SAGE's work. She was a trailblazing pioneer in every sense, appearing in an early New York Times ad for SAGE at a time when few others had the courage to be out.
As Edie became an iconic leader for our movement and community through her historic litigation, she always returned home to SAGE, regularly joining fellow elders in activities and programs at our SAGE Centers. All LGBT people will remember and celebrate Edie for her pioneering leadership on marriage equality. We at SAGE will also honor Edie for being our friend, for making SAGE her home for more than three decades, and for being an endless source of inspiration for LGBT elders across the country."
Please check our Facebook page over the coming days for more information on Edie's memorial service.
