FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT: MARIE MUYER
DATE                                                                                                                     123/555-0000
 

 HOMETOWN NOW PLANS (EVENT) TO STAND UP FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

Hometown National Organization for Women (NOW) will stage a (event) at (location) to demonstrate support for the freedom to marry, according to Hometown NOW President Phoebe Feminist.  The (event) is part of a national campaign coordinated by NOW. "We stand united in the belief that all women should be afforded the opportunity to marry whom ever she chooses," said Feminist, "we believe the freedom to marry -- regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation -- is as fundamental as the right to vote ."
 
 By legalizing same-sex marriage lesbian and gay families would have the basic rights other families enjoy, including, filing joint tax returns, inheriting in the absence of a will and obtaining next-of-kin status regarding medical decisions for a partner.

 The argument of the right-wing that marriage is solely meant for procreation is clearly their cloak for homophobia.  There are countless married couples who either cannot or choose not to have children.  It would be ridiculous for these people to be denied a marriage license.  Obviously  then, the freedom to marry is not guaranteed only to those couples who plan on having biological children.  By withholding this right millions of lesbians and gay men are being denied equal treatment.

 Three State Supreme Courts (Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont) are grappling with this issue.  The movement for equal marriage rights is truly a national struggle whose time has come. "On National Coming Out Day we stand together -- lesbian and straight alike -- to come out against homophobia and to end marriage discrimination," said National NOW President Patricia Ireland.

   "We will come together at this (event) and expose the illegitimate, illogical and often hateful arguments put forth by the right-wing."
 

                                        WHAT:                  (event)
                                        WHERE:                (location)
                                        WHEN:                  (day and date)
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