Fighting to preserve the freedom to marry

 

Everyone — EVERYONE — deserves to marry the person they love most in the world and receive the support and recognition that only comes from marriage.

Zach Silk
Campaign Manager
Washington United for Marriage

 

a message from Zach Silk

We really appreciate your support.

It has helped us lay a very, VERY solid foundation for the rest of this race to defend marriage equality, and approve R74 this fall — but November is still 82 days away.  And this will be a dogfight, for sure.

As we stare down Labor Day, the official start of the campaign season, it seemed the right time to update you on where we are and where we’re headed.

We’re ready for this fight, thanks to you. And we’re going to need to really buckle down in the final phase of this race to make sure that we’re ready, no matter what they throw at us.

TAKE ACTION: Help child marriage bill pass the House before the holiday recess

Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act. Now, we need your help to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to follow the Senate and stand-up against child marriage. Time is short. Please ask your representative to help push this critical legislation through the House before Congress adjourns for the holidays. Child marriage is more prevalent than you might think — more than 60 million girls worldwide are married before the age of 18, many to men twice their age or older. If child marriage continues at its current rate, an additional 100 million girls will be married within the next decade. That’s 25,000 child brides every single day for the next 10 years. The cost of child marriage to girls and entire communities is too high to ignore. This unacceptable practice thwarts a girl’s education, endangers her health and often locks her and her children into a life of poverty. Together, we can help bring an end to this serious human rights violation. Please join me in urging the House to move quickly so millions of girls have a chance to reach their full potential by passing the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act today. Let’s give girls around the world a priceless gift this season. Let’s give them a chance at a brighter, healthier future. Sincerely, Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH President and CEO, CARE

Senate showdown approaching

HRCnews September 2010	UPDATE What has HRC done for me lately? US – HRC delivers thousands of petition signatures for DADT repeal. More » US – HRC and activists give input on new HHS hospital regulations. More » NY – HRC’s Campaign for NY Marriage wins big in state Senate race. More » US – HRC supports launch of Catholics for Equality. More » DC – HRC to join progressive groups at One Nation Working Together March. More » US – HRC introduces brand new Welcoming Schools site. More » US – HRC launches new Facebook app for Nat’l Coming Out Day. More » ACT Urgent push needed on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Last week’s ruling by a federal judge that declared DADT unconstitutional was a huge step. If appealed by the Administration, the ruling will face a long and rigorous appeals process. In the meantime, the Senate must act. A simple, one-minute call to your senators’ offices could make all the difference. Call your senators now. call now » NEW YORK MARRIAGE Tell your friends in New York to stand up for equality Just 8 votes meant the difference between love and hate when the New York State Senate voted down marriage equality last December. Victory on marriage equality in NY is within reach – but we need more supporters of marriage from all corners of the state to get involved. Tell your friends in New York to take a stand for love by signing our petition. tell a New Yorker now » SUPPORT 14th Annual HRC National Dinner Sellout expected soon so buy your tickets now! Join us on October 9 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center as hundreds of equality supporters come together for a night of celebration and inspiration. With dynamic guests like Tony Award-winning actress Bette Midler, Grammy Award-Winning artist P!nk, the cast of the Emmy Award-Winning TV show Modern Family, and Lee Daniels, the Academy Award Nominated Producer/Director ofPrecious, this year’s event promises to be as moving – and entertaining – as ever. Enter the raffle for a chance to win a new Lexus! All proceeds go to support HRC’s important work for LGBT equality. find out more » NEWS Federal court declares “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” unconstitutional » Nat’l Org for Marriage struggles – and fails – to hide Maine election activities » State Dept. reveals efforts to fight LGBT discrimination in the U.S. » No marriage and no divorce for same-sex couples in Texas, says court » Justice Dept. files brief siding with gay victim of sexual harrassment » NY Gov. Paterson signs safe schools bill into law » Video: Julianne Moore says ‘I do’ to marriage equality Video: Watch some of the great entries from HRC’s Epic WIN or Epic FAIL contest Sponsor Spotlight HRC is proud to welcome MetLife as our newest Bronze National Partner. MetLife has achieved a 100% score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index since 2004, and has been a longtime supporter of the HRC Greater New York Gala Dinner. The company also generously supports the work of the HRC Foundation through a grant from the MetLife Foundation. Please support all HRC National Partners.
What has HRC done for me lately? Urgent push needed on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Tell your friends in New York to stand up for equality 14th Annual HRC National Dinner News: Federal court declares “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” unconstitutional Video: Julianne Moore says ‘I do’ to marriage equality
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