THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"Like most Americans, Tony Hawk knows that all families deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and equality under the law," said HRC's Charles Joughin. "We are incredibly grateful to Tony for speaking out in favor of marriage equality, and lending his voice to HRC's fight for fairness nationwide."

The most recognized action-sports figure in the world, Tony Hawk is also President of Tony Hawk Inc., a worldwide leader in action-sports video games, merchandising, events, endorsements, and film and digital media. He regularly appears on television and in films, hosts a weekly show on the Sirius XM satellite radio network, and frequently takes his talent on the road with the Birdhouse Skateboards team. Tony's success and good fortune have inspired him to do what he can to help young people, so in 2002 he launched the Tony Hawk Foundation to help achieve that goal.

This is the second video released for the re-launch of HRC's Americans for Marriage Equality video campaign. Last week, platinum-selling recording artist and actress Demi Lovato lent her voice to the cause with a web video and an email to HRC's more than 1.5 million members and supporters, calling on all Americans to support marriage equality.

Same-sex couples can legally marry in nineteen states and the District of Columbia, while 31 states have a law or constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of one man and one woman. However, polling continues to show Americans moving inexorably in the direction of supporting equality for same-sex couples, and there are over 70 court cases across the country challenging bans on marriage equality.

Nationally, Gallup puts support for marriage equality at 55 percent — an astonishing 15 points increase from just 5 years ago — with other polls showing support at even higher margins. And support for same-sex marriage rights continues to grow in virtually every demographic group. According to ABC News / Washington Post, 77 percent of adults under age 30 favor marriage equality. 40 percent of Republicans — an all-time high and jump of 16 points in under two years — now support marriage for gay and lesbian couples, while the number of Catholics supporting marriage has grown to 62 percent, according to the New York Times ( www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/02/27/us/politics/27poll-results.html. ) These numbers continue to grow, with no indication that support will slow down.