Friday February 9, 2007 SGN.org |
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Volume 35 Issue 06 |
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Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008
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Same-Sex Couples participate in annual event request marriage licenses on Valentine's Day |
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| Same-Sex Couples participate in annual event request marriage licenses on Valentine's Day | |
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OAKLAND, California -- On Valentine's Day, February 14, 2007, at local marriage counters around the nation, Marriage Equality USA chapters and their allies will host the eighth annual marriage counter event in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples as part of the 10th Annual Freedom to Marry Week activities. "We engage in this annual event to put a local face on marriage discrimination around the country," said Davina Kotulski, Marriage Equality USA Executive Director. "We are your neighbors, your co-workers and your friends. In fact, we are your County Clerks. In Contra Costa, openly Gay County Clerk Steve Weir and his partner are celebrating 17 years together. Although he performs hundreds of marriages each year, he can't even have one for himself. On Valentine's Day, we join other couples in celebrating our love and commitment to one another - but unlike our heterosexual counterparts - same-sex couples are denied access to the 1,138 federal rights and hundreds of state rights that only come with a civil marriage license." In Davis, California, Ellen Pontac and Shelly Bailes, grandmothers who have been together for over 30 years, hope this year will be the last year they will be turned away by Yolo County Clerk Freddie Oakley, who has promised that when the law changes, she will pay for their marriage license herself. "It's always heartening to see so many people rooting for us to get married; we know that Americans believe in fairness and equality. Our hearts ache for the day we will be able to legally marry," said Pontac. In New York City, newly engaged couple, Ron Zacchi and Joe Moran, brace themselves for their first attempt at seeking a marriage license. "We just got engaged to be married and our families are thrilled, said Zacchi, MEUSA Board member. "This is a basic right of citizenship that we know we will have access to in the near future. We look forward to the day when we can tell our nieces and nephews about the olden days when Gay couples couldn't get married and see their look of disbelief. I'm sure they will wonder what was the big deal." In Redwood City, California, Marina Gatto, a freshman at UC Berkeley and the daughter of a Lesbian couple will again be leading the annual event with the full support of her San Mateo County Clerk Warren Slocum. ""It isn't just the couples who are hurt by marriage discrimination, but their kids too, said Gatto. "Because my parents can't get married, our family is at risk of having to leave the country to stay together because one of my moms is from Germany. It is time to right this wrong and ensure our country delivers the promise of liberty, equality and justice for all families." Founded in 2000, Marriage Equality USA is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation . For more information go to www.marriageequality.org. A Marriage Equality USA press release |
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