Remembering Mildred Loving

Lambda Legal mourns the passing of Mildred Loving, whose interracial marriage sparked controversy more than 40 years ago. Loving died just one year after the 40th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down all state bans on interracial marriage and declared that marriage is a fundamental right, subsequently forging a connection to the ongoing fight for marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Last year, Mrs. Loving acknowledged the struggle for lesbians and gay men to marry the person they choose. "Mrs. Loving bravely stepped forward to include marriage equality for same-sex couples as part of her vision of equality," said Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart. "We are grateful for her leadership."