Equal Marriage Launches During Freedom to Marry Week

By Lisa Weiner-Mahfuz,Senior Field Organizer

The National Organization for Women celebrated Freedom to Marry Week with the launch of a year-long Equal Marriage Campaign and an information drop on Capitol Hill.

"NOW will not waver in our commitment," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "Our campaign aims to ensure that same-sex couples and their families have access to the full benefits and protections that only civil marriage can provide."

NOW is also determined to block passage of any constitutional amendment that denies marriage rights to same-sex couples, and to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

"Our campaign aims to ensure that same-sex couples and their families have access to the full benefits and protections that only civil marriage can provide." NOW is also determined to block passage of any constitutional amendment that denies marriage rights to same-sex couples, and to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

We have been meeting with Capitol Hill allies like Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and will continue communicating with members of Congress and policymakers to create an open dialogue and expand support.

While Action Center staff, interns and volunteers busily dropped information packets on Capitol Hill, NOW Action Vice President Olga Vives spoke at an equal marriage rally in Annapolis, Md.

"Our aim is to strengthen and support the commitment of same-sex couples and their families, while securing for women the freedom to marry whomever they choose," said Vives.

"NOW's mission is to fight for civil and human rights for all women—and equal marriage is a crucial part of that larger struggle."

More than 1,000 Maryland residents attended the rally co-sponsored by Maryland NOW and Equality Maryland. The rally sparked national attention when Maya Keyes, daughter of anti-gay Republican politician Alan Keyes, told the crowd she was a lesbian.

Both inside and outside the beltway, NOW chapters are engaging in community organizing with a focus on creating a climate of justice, fairness and equality for LGBT people and their families in neighborhoods across the country.

To assist with this effort, an Equal Marriage ad hoc Committee of NOW grassroots leaders has been appointed to advise on content, strategies and media work developed throughout the campaign.

A brand new Equal Marriage brochure is now available. Call the National Action Center today to place your order: 202-628-8669 or email us.