It’s 2014. It’s the future! Still, every day I'm shocked that parts of our nation still seem trapped in a time warp.
Even in this day and age, we see politicians vote against the wishes of their constituents, approving laws that weaken Roe v Wade. We see legislators ignore Supreme Court rulings and and the will of the 99 percent, supporting laws that take voting rights away from millions of Americans.
Although a majority of Americans disagree, these time-travelers even vote for legislation that deprives LGBT people of their core rights and privileges.
Today, our Marriage Matters blog will devote some space to our grand plan to put our entire country on track for true equality with our Out For Freedom campaign.
Twenty-nine states, including Michigan, still have anti-gay, anti-marriage laws embedded in their constitutions. The ACLU has launched Out for Freedom to focus on repealing these laws and put state-approved discrimination where it belongs: in history books!
So how is Out For Freedom working for LGBT rights and marriage equality across the country??
Although a majority of Americans disagree, these time-travelers even vote for legislation that deprives LGBT people of their core rights and privileges.
Today, our Marriage Matters blog will devote some space to our grand plan to put our entire country on track for true equality with our Out For Freedom campaign.
Twenty-nine states, including Michigan, still have anti-gay, anti-marriage laws embedded in their constitutions. The ACLU has launched Out for Freedom to focus on repealing these laws and put state-approved discrimination where it belongs: in history books!
So how is Out For Freedom working for LGBT rights and marriage equality across the country??
- Improving the map state-by-state! With the Supreme Court's decision in the Prop. 8 case, 17 states plus the District of Columbia allow same-sex couples the freedom to marry.
By 2016, we're committed to seeing marriage equality in at least 20 states. We’re already laying the groundwork for passing fair marriage laws in Oregon and Nevada, among others. - Broadening public support. We're reaching across the aisle to work with right-of-center voices in states where guaranteeing the freedom to marry is on the horizon.
- Working on a federal solution. Discriminatory state laws that exclude same-sex couples from marriage will be before the U.S. Supreme Court again within the next few years. We’re working to lay the foundation for a favorable SCOTUS ruling, shaping the cases that will bring this important issue to the Court.
We are seeing incredible progress on marriage equality and relationship recognition across this country in spite of efforts to hold back the pace of change. We know wonderful Michigan couples who have tied the knot in other states since Edie Windsor and the ACLU teamed up to knock the Defense of Marriage Act out last June.
Destination weddings are fun, but everyone deserves to marry the one they love at home here in the Great Lakes State. That's what the ACLU of Michigan and our partner organizations keep in mind every day as we work toward marriage equality in our state.
Every single day, I see donors, card-carrying members and supporters like you help the ACLU take this fight to the courts, to the legislature, and to the streets. You knock on doors, pass out flyers, write op-eds, call congress, and make your collective voices heard. For that, we can’t thank you enough!
Together, we can transform our country’s landscape and ensure the freedom to marry in every state!
By David M. Moss, Stewardship & Events Manager
Key News & Documents
Marriage Matters
Out for Freedom Campaign
LGBT Rights
