Lambda Legal To Honor 'Marriage Protection Week' With a Range of Activities Featuring Families, Clergy

(New York, Wednesday, October 8, 2003) -- As two-dozen right-wing organizations, supported by an official White House proclamation, gear up to celebrate “Marriage Protection Week” next week, Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund announced plans today to honor and participate in the week with a range of activities focused on same-sex couples’ commitment to protecting their families and strengthening the institution of marriage.

“While the groups who started ‘Marriage Protection Week’ disagree with us about providing critical protections for lesbian and gay families, this is a week for celebrating and honoring couples who want to build strong families and a strong society,” said Michael Adams, Director of Education and Public Affairs at Lambda Legal, the national organization that won the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark gay-rights ruling this summer and represents seven couples suing for full marriage rights in New Jersey. “We want to protect and strengthen marriage, too -- by making it equally available to all families who want to protect themselves and their children.”

Lambda Legal announced that it is hosting the following events for “Marriage Protection Week”:

Clergy Town Hall on Marriage; Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, 7 p.m.

WHAT: Clergy leaders from throughout New Jersey -- who understand and embrace the difference between religions performing religious marriages and the government that represents all people granting civil marriages equally -- will gather with same-sex couples who are plaintiffs in Lambda Legal’s lawsuit seeking full marriage equality in that state. Clergy will share why they believe civil marriage is strongest when available to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples alike, and couples will share their own personal experiences and why they need the protections civil marriage provides.
WHO: New Jersey clergy leaders; several of the long-term, committed couples suing for full marriage rights; straight and gay New Jersey citizens and people of faith.
WHERE: Montclair State University; Russ Hall, Kops Lounge, Montclair, NJ

‘Queer Eye for the Straight Couple’ (Long-term gay couples providing marriage counseling and advice to married heterosexual couples)

WHAT: “Marriage Protection Week” marks the launch of Lambda Legal’s public service initiative that turns individual same-sex couples’ decades of experience in strong, committed relationships into practical advice for married, heterosexual couples. The advice is available for those heterosexual, married couples who, for whatever reason, feel that their marriages are vulnerable, jeopardized or in need of additional protection.
WHO: Several lesbian and gay couples from various states around the country -- who, among them, have more than 100 years of combined relationship experience -- will join a renowned therapist and expert who will moderate and funnel questions from the heterosexual, married couples seeking advice and assistance.
WHERE: Details about logistics for the counseling and advice session -- which will be accessible to anyone in the country - will be released widely on Tuesday, along with announcements about special guests joining the session.

‘Heart-to-Heart, Faith-to-Faith,’ Sending a Message on Strength and Protection

WHAT: Recognizing that many of the groups who started “Marriage Protection Week” cite religious reasons for opposing civil marriage equality, Lambda Legal is helping clergy who believe marriage is best protected and strengthened when it protects all families send a message to the original organizers of the week. A Message Card on Strength and Protection will be signed by clergy at the New Jersey town hall Tuesday night, and Lambda Legal is collecting notes and signatures from people of faith nationwide -- who understand and embrace the difference between religions performing religious marriages and the government that represents all people granting civil marriages equally - which will be added to the card before sending it to the organizers at the conclusion of “Marriage Protection Week.”
WHO: New Jersey clergy leaders, joined by clergy and people of faith nationwide who believe civil marriage and its critical protections should be available to same-sex couples.
WHERE: The cards will be available to sign throughout the week in Lambda Legal’s offices in New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Those who cannot sign a card in person can send their name and any note they want included to outreach@lambdalegal.org before Friday, Oct. 17.

For more on the New Jersey case and other efforts to secure civil marriage equality for same-sex couples - including Lambda Legal’s publication on clergy and other people of faith supporting civil marriage equality, People of Faith Speak Out! -- go to www.lambdalegal.org/Marriage.

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Contact: Lisa Hardaway, 212/809-8585 ext. 266; pgr: 888-987-1971