We are writing to you about two important events in NOW's continuing commitment to lesbian rights: National Freedom to Marry Day and the Lesbian Rights Summit: A Feminist Strategy Session.

 February 12, 1999 is National Freedom to Marry Day. Many of you participated in 1997 and 1998 in more than 150 Freedom to Marry events in communities across the country, more than 100 of which were organized by NOW chapters and activists. If you haven't already made plans for this year, enclosed are some suggestions.

 On February 12 and throughout that weekend, NOW activists and our allies will stage community events and political actions to protest the systematic discrimination against same-sex couples, who are denied equal access to civil marriage. We encourage you to stage your own event and to invite activists from other organizations in your area to join your local effort.  If you have not had a chance to organize an event, join with and support events planned by groups like Metropolitan Community Churches, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ("PFLAG") chapters, LGBT community centers, LGBT university groups and other active organizations.

 The recent election results in Hawaii and Alaska have prevented us from achieving our goal this year, but these results have not weakened the movement for equal marriage rights. Our movement is a long-haul civil rights struggle which, like all civil rights struggles, will require great fortitude and persistence. Political campaigns alone will not change hearts and minds.  Months and years of ongoing personal contact and public dialogue are needed – exactly the kind of work that Freedom to Marry Day can engender.  If no public events are scheduled in your community, sending letters to the editor can raise the discussion. A sample is enclosed.

 The National Freedom to Marry Day is also an excellent opportunity to reach out to your community about the upcoming Lesbian Rights Summit: A Feminist Strategy Session.  NOW will be hosting the Lesbian Rights Summit on April 23 through 25, 1999 in Washington, D.C. to organize for the next millennium. A copy of the Lesbian Rights Summit flyer is enclosed for you to duplicate and use for outreach, as well as a list of products to add to your fundraising and visibility.