Marriage Equality

Robyn and Peg, Married

On May 17, 2004, Peg and I legally married in Brookline, MA. See an inspiring article and video about us inThe Washington Post. On September 4th, 2004, we celebrated with family & friends. We believe that the right to marry the person of ones choice is a human right. This issue is important to us, and we hope to stem the backlash and help the United States catch up with progress made in many countries around the world.

“Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the “wrong kind of person” for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights.

“I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.” – Mildred Loving, plaintiff in Loving v. Virginia the Supreme Court case that struck down race restrictions on the freedom to marry, on the 40th anniversary of this landmark case, June 12, 2007.

Marriage Equality Advocacy

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders: These are the folks who have brought us equal marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont. New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression. Providing litigation, advocacy, and educational work in all areas of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights and the rights of people living with HIV, GLAD has a full-time legal staff and a network of cooperating attorneys across New England. Lots of great information on this website.

Freedom to Marry: A national US organization working to win marriage equality nationwide. Freedom to Marry encourages dialogue with Americans thinking through the need to end discrimination in marriage, provides support to targeted state and local efforts, and promotes fairness for all families, including same-sex couples and the children raised by gay parents. By working to secure equal access to civil marriage licenses from the government, we help reinforce our country’s historic commitment to freedom, the pursuit of happiness, and equal justice for all.

Lambda Legal: A national legal group committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of, and combating the discrimination against, the GLBT community and people with HIV/AIDS, through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.

If you live in the United States and want to locate your state’s equality group, ask Google: type in the word “equality” and the name of your state and your state’s group will show up. Magic! And they need your help – get on their email list, if you can, send money to support their work, and when they ask people to contact your elected representatives, please do so.