Fwd: Two more historic marriage wins

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sarah Warbelow, Human Rights Campaign <hrc@hrc.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 25, 2014 at 1:23 PM
Subject: Two more historic marriage wins
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

Dear HRC Member, In our line of work, there is never a dull moment. Just as we were getting ready to send this very special note from our friends Kris & Sandy and Paul & Jeff, two more historic decisions regarding same-sex marriage in Utah and Indiana were handed down. The decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit regarding Utah represents the broadest appellate court ruling in favor of a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry—another huge step forward in favor of justice and equality for LGBT Americans. These two decisions now constitute what we know for certain—the U.S. Constitution guarantees the basic civil rights of all Americans, not just some. Our progress over the past year has been unprecedented, but the message from our friends below remains true: much remains to be done, and we will not rest until full equality is the law of the land. Please take a moment and read this heartfelt personal message from Kris & Sandy and Paul & Jeff. We thank you for the role you have played and will continue to play on this journey. Sincerely, Sarah Warbelow Legal Director Human Rights Campaign

Dear HRC Member, We can't believe it has been a year. One year ago this week, our nation took a giant step forward with two Supreme Court marriage rulings. We were honored to stand alongside Edie Windsor and so many other heroic champions in our movement who helped make that historic day possible. The decision to marry and to fight for this right was a personal one. But we realized along the way that this case was much bigger than us. Many of the fears that we initially had about putting ourselves out there washed away as we reflected on the fact that the vast majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans lack even the most basic protections under the law. As a Human Rights Campaign member, you were with us every step of the way. Through your generosity, you helped HRC amplify our voices and our message of equality for all. There is no question that HRC—along with so many others in the movement—helped lay the groundwork that made our marriages possible. We'll never forget the sea of red logos across Facebook. It was historic, heartwarming and an important reminder that this wasn't about just us—it was about all of us. So thank you. The question people most often ask us is "How have your lives changed since you were legally married?" The answer is "A lot!" Marriage matters. The moment you're married, everything changes. It's almost a cliché to say that, but marriage is revered for a reason. Everything that we were fighting for now makes sense. We are so grateful to the American Foundation for Equal Rights for making this lawsuit possible. But marriage isn't the finish line. Currently, there's no federal law that explicitly bans workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In 29 states it's perfectly legal to fire a person based on sexual orientation, and 32 states lack explicit laws banning discrimination based on gender identity. We're grateful that HRC has launched Project One America to help move the needle faster in the Deep South—on employment protections and so much more. In states such as Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas, our LGBT brothers and sisters are treated like second-class citizens. Yes, in California, full legal equality is nearly a reality for LGBT people—and we are grateful for this. But equality isn't just a California value; it's an American value. And we have a long way to go until this is a reality. Please remain visible and vigilant with us. Together, we will achieve full equality for everyone, everywhere. In gratitude, Kris & Sandy Paul & Jeff

© 2014 The Human Rights Campaign. All rights reserved. Human Rights Campaign | hrc.org 1640 ​Rhode Island Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3278 Phone: 202-628-4160 TTY: 202-216-1572 Fax: 202-347-5323   Your support is important to us. Please contact us here so that we can respond to your questions or comments. Please do not reply directly to this email. If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific Human Rights Campaign list, or update your account settings, you can visit your Subscription Management Page.

--
Jeremy Tobias Matthews