LAMBDA LEGAL ARCHIVE SITETHIS SITE IS NO LONGER MAINTAINED. TO SEE OUR MOST RECENT CASES AND NEWS, VISITNEW LAMBDALEGAL.ORG

Lambda Legal Hosts Week-Long Series of Events from Coast to Coast Marking 5th Annual National Freedom To Marry Day, Feb. 12

Find Your State

Know the laws in your state that protect LGBT people and people living with HIV.
February 10, 2003

(New York, Monday, February 10, 2003) - In cities and towns nationwide starting today, Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund and dozens of local groups will hold celebrations, community meetings, workshops and other events to mark National Freedom To Marry Day this week.

For the last five years, communities across the country have joined Lambda Legal for National Freedom To Marry Day on Feb. 12 - leading up to Valentine’s Day -- to build public support for the right of same-sex couples to marry.

“With each passing year, we’re getting closer and closer to achieving full marriage rights for lesbian and gay couples,” said Michael Adams, Director of Education and Public Affairs at Lambda Legal. “Through our groundbreaking litigation, our powerful public education programs and our results-oriented policy advocacy, we work for marriage rights every day - but Freedom To Marry Day is an opportunity to really focus attention on marriage equality and keep broadening our network of support around the country.”

A list of Lambda Legal’s major events planned for this week, along with contact information and major co-sponsors, follows.

Monday, Feb. 10: Town hall meeting (Trenton, New Jersey)
7 p.m. at the War Memorial adjacent to the State Capitol; Media contact: Steve Goldstein, 917-449-8918
The third in a series of 10 town hall meetings statewide focused on Lambda Legal’s historic lawsuit seeking full marriage rights for gay couples in New Jersey and also outlining legislation seeking domestic partnership rights for unmarried couples. State Assembly Member Reed Gusciora is hosting the town hall meeting, which New Jersey Democratic State Party Chair and Assembly Member Bonnie Watson Coleman will also attend. Co-sponsors include the ACLU of New Jersey, New Jersey NOW, and 55 other groups.

Monday, Feb. 10: Workshop on current rights and marriage equality (San Gabriel Valley, California)
7:30 p.m. at 111 N. Ave 56; Media contact: Fred Shank, 212-809-8585, x267
A workshop focusing on the legal rights, responsibilities and benefits that are currently available through California’s domestic partnership law, as well as the significance full marriage rights will bring. Co-sponsored by The Wall/Las Memorias. (NOTE: Lambda Legal will repeat this workshop in Spanish on Thursday, Feb. 13, in Van Nuys, Calif., and on Saturday, Feb. 15, in Hollywood, Calif., in conjunction with Bienestar Human Services. These are the first Freedom To Marry Day events presented entirely in Spanish. For information on those events, contact Pedro Chavez at 213-382-7600, x226.)

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Press conference and strolling wedding party (Atlanta, Georgia)
11:30 a.m. at 1 Margaret Mitchell Sq. near Peachtree Center; Media contact: Greg Nevins, 404-897-1880
A press conference on progress in the fight for marriage rights - and the need for full equality - will be followed by a strolling wedding party, where lesbian and gay couples in wedding gowns and tuxedoes, accompanied by a marching band, will walk through downtown Atlanta eating wedding cake and talking to passers-by. Co-sponsored by Al-Fatiha Atlanta, Atlanta Freedom Marching Band, Georgia Equality and the ACLU of Georgia.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Annual Freedom To Marry Reception (Chicago, Illinois)
7:00 p.m. at High Risk Gallery, 1131 West Belmont; Media contact: RoiAnn Phillips, 312-663-4413
Couples and single people - gay and straight - will share an evening of celebration with friends, families, faith leaders, colleagues and neighbors who are allied in the struggle for same-sex civil marriage. Wedding cake will be served, and a bridal bouquet will be tossed. More than two dozen local groups are co-sponsoring the event, and one of the seven couples in Lambda Legal’s lawsuit seeking full marriage rights in New Jersey will be the special guest speakers.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Anniversary Party (Louisville, Kentucky)
7:00 p.m. at the MCC church at 1432 Highland Ave.; Media contact: Asha Leong, 404-897-1880
Couples and supporters will gather to cut wedding cake, “count down” the anniversaries of lesbian and gay couples in attendance and dance. Co-sponsored by MCC Louisville, Open Door Communities, Louisville Youth Group and the Fairness Campaign. Attendees will also be invited to day-long legal workshop in Louisville on Feb. 22, where they can learn how to legally protect their relationships and get answers to other legal questions.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Love-Struck: Shorts for Valentine’s Day (Los Angeles, CA)
7:30 p.m. at the Renberg Theater at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Village, 1125 N. McCadden Place (just north of Santa Monica); Media contact: Fred Shank, 212-809-8585, x267
A screening of several romantic, sexy short films will be followed by a reception for couples and singles. Co-sponsored by OUTFEST: The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Absolut Vodka and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

Thursday, Feb. 13: Workshop on estate-planning for same-sex couples (Newport Beach, CA)
12 noon at the Sutton Place Hotel at 4500 McArthur Bl. In Newport Beach; Media contact: Fred Shank, 212-809-8585, x267
A lunch session to help couples learn more about planning their financial future, particularly in light of new state tax laws. Co-sponsored by The Center of Orange County and the Tax Financial Group, Inc.

Friday, Feb. 14: Rallies in support of same-sex marriage (County Registrar offices, municipal offices and courthouses nationwide)
All across the nation, Lambda Legal will join Metropolitan Community Churches and gay rights groups for rallies in support of same-sex marriage and mass applications for state marriage licenses.


 

###

Contact Info

Share