June is the month for weddings. It’s the time when many couples decide to pledge their love to one another and enter a special bond that will form the foundation of their family for years to come.

June is the month when, five years ago, I married Gabe, the love of my life. We had been together for five years and already had plans for a wedding when the California Supreme Court ruled that gay and lesbian couples were entitled to the same rights and benefits as any other couple. We could legally get married, so we did.

We were honored to have Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa marry us at City Hall, and when he declared: “By the power vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you legally married,” it gave me chills. With those words, it struck me that our marriage was being officially acknowledged and sanctioned by our government.  With those words, I felt for the first time that our government would be there to protect Gabe and me, and the family that we wanted to create.

Then our daughter, Ilaria, was born. Becoming a father has filled my life with unexpected joy. Now that she’s two years old, I already see the person she’s becoming. She’s happiest walking down the street holding her daddy and papa’s hands because she knows she has a family that loves her.

The only damper on our happiness is the realization that even though Gabe and I are legally married, the federal government will not be there to protect Ilaria if anything happened to one of us, as it would for any other child. By not recognizing her parents’ marriage, the federal government is telling my young daughter—and the 6 million children of gay and lesbian couples like her—that somehow there is something wrong with her parents, her family and, by extension, with her.

As a father who loves his daughter more than words can describe, that kills me.

This Father’s Day, I only want a big hug and an “I love you, daddy” from my daughter. But this June, I want something more from my government. After building a loving family and home with my husband, and after witnessing the sea-change of public support for marriage equality, I want the U.S. Supreme Court to treat all loving, committed couples and their families with equality, respect and dignity. I want our government to protect all children, and strike down discriminatory laws that hurt families, like Proposition 8 and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.

Although June is known as the month for weddings, I hope that this year, it will be also be known as the month for equality and love.

The 2010 study Hatzenbuehler released with colleagues Katie McLaughlin, Katherine Keyes and Deborah Hasin was recently covered by NPR:

Beginning around 2004, several states banned gay marriage. Just before that series of bans, the National Institutes of Health happened to conduct a massive survey of 43,093 Americans. The questions elicited detailed information about respondents’ mental health. (To validate what people reported about themselves, psychiatrists also interviewed samples of the people in the survey, and their medical diagnoses closely matched the findings of the survey.)

Soon after the wave of state bans on gay marriage, in 2004 and 2005, the NIMH conducted a second round of interviews, managing to reach 34,653 of the original respondents. (That’s a high rate compared with most polls and surveys.)

The study reiterates evidence and expert testimony presented during the 2010 Prop. 8 trial, which became a truth commission of marriage equality.

But is the reverse true? Are there mental health benefits for marriage equality?

Hatzenbuehler has also found, in a study conducted in Massachusetts, that gay men experienced fewer stress-related disorders after that state permitted gay marriage.

In a study tracking the health of 1,211 gay men in Massachusetts, Hatzenbuehler found that the men visited doctors less often and had lower health treatment costs after Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage.

This issue is compounded by the fact that the metro areas with the highest percentages of gay and lesbian couples raising children are in states with constitutional bans on marriage, according to the UCLA Williams Institute.

The percentage of same-sex couples raising children in metro areas with a population above 1 million are the highest in Salt Lake City, Virginia Beach, San Antonio, Memphis, and Detroit. Each of these metro centers are in states with constitutional amendments banning marriage for same-sex couples. Among all states, Mississippi has the highest percentage of same-sex couples raising children at 26 percent.

It’s a familiar face: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton has already shown herself to be a staunch ally, having previously reformed State Department policies to be more LGBT-inclusive. She was also a supporter of work to enact a marriage equality bill in New York.

And now, she says, she supports federal marriage equality “personally and as a matter of law.”

Read the full statement below:

A little over a year ago in Geneva, I told the nations of the world that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights… and that the United States would be a leader in defending those rights.  Now there were some countries that did not want to hear that.  But I believe America is at its best when we champion the freedom and dignity of every human being.  That’s who we are.  It’s in our DNA.  And as Secretary of State, I had the privilege to represent that America.

I will never forget the young Tunisian who asked me after the revolution in his country how America could teach his new democracy to protect the rights of its LGBT citizens.  He saw America as an example for the world, and as a beacon of hope.

That’s what was in my mind as I engaged in some tough conversations with foreign leaders who did not accept that human rights apply to everyone, gay and straight.  When I directed our diplomats around the world to combat repressive laws and reach out to the brave activists fighting on the frontlines.  And when I changed State Department policy to ensure that our LGBT families are treated more fairly.

Traveling the world these past four years reaffirmed and deepened my pride in our country and the ideals we stand for.  It also inspired and challenged me to think anew about who we are and the values we represent to the world.  Now, having left public office, I want to share some of what I’ve learned, and what I’ve come to believe.

For America to continue leading in the world, there is work we must do here at home.  That means investing in our people, our economy, our national security.  It also means working every day, as citizens, as communities, as a country, to live up to our highest ideals and continue our long march to a more perfect union.

LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones.  And they are full and equal citizens and they deserve the rights of citizenship.   That includes marriage.  That’s why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples.   I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law, embedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and all Americans.

Like so many others, my personal views have been shaped over time by people I have known and loved.  By my experience representing our nation on the world stage, my devotion to law and human rights, and the guiding principles of my faith.

Marriage afterall is a fundamental building block of our society, a great joy and yes, a great responsibility.  A few years ago, Bill and I celebrated as our own daughter married the love of her life, and I wish every parent the same joy.  To deny that opportunity to any of our daughters and sons solely on the basis of who they are and who they love is to deny them the chance to live up to their own God-given potential.

Throughout our history, as our nation has become even more dedicated to the protection of liberty and justice for all, more open to the contributions of all our citizens, it has also become stronger, more competitive, more ready for the future.  It benefits every American when we continue on that path.

I know that many in our country are still struggle to reconcile the teachings of their religion, the pull of their conscience, and the personal experiences they have in their families and communities.  And people of good will and good faith will continue to view this issue differently.  So I hope that as we discuss and debate, whether it’s around a kitchen table or in the public square, we do so in a spirit of respect and understanding.  Conversations with our friends, our families, our congregations, our coworkers, are opportunities to share our own reflections and to invite others to share theirs.  They give us a chance to find that common ground and a path forward.

For those of us who lived through the long years of the civil rights and women’s rights movements, the speed with which more and more people have come to embrace the dignity and equality of LGBT Americans has been breathtaking and inspiring.  We see it all around us every day, in major cultural statements and in quiet family moments.

But the journey is far from over, and therefore we must keep working to make our country freer and fairer, and to continue to inspire the faith the world puts in our leadership.  In doing so, we will keep moving closer and closer to that more perfect union promised to us all.  Thank you.

“I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to get married,” he wrote.

Portman said he and Jane were both surprised to learn that their son is gay, but he said they were “very supportive of him,” adding that they wanted Will to “know we were 100 percent supportive and we love him. He’s an amazing young man.”

“If anything, I’m even more proud of the way he has handled the whole situation.”

Portman had to deal with his position on the issue just two months later, when a group of students at the University of Michigan Law School protested his selection as a graduation speaker because of what they called his “openly hostile” position on gay rights. According to local media reports, more than 100 students walked out of the ceremony because they disagreed with his opposition to gay marriage.

Read more: https://bit.ly/140iDrw

To celebrate the launch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson called Isaac Mizrahi to talk about his superb bow tie design. Watch below as they gab about the launch from their respective coasts, and catch a brief sneak-peak behind the scenes at Isaac’s chic studio.

https://youtu.be/djI8QrDgAg0

Starting this spring, you can can support the work of over eighty different civil rights organizations just by wearing a bow tie.

You’ve probably heard of Tie the Knot, a non-profit started by Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and AFER’s Justin Mikita. Once per season, Tie the Knot releases a limited edition collection of neckwear, with proceeds going to a marriage equality organization.

But as of February 26th, proceeds will be going to much more than one organization. They’ll be going to over eighty, now that Tie the Knot has teamed up with the Respect for Marriage Coalition.

The Coalition is a partnership of more than 80 civil rights, faith, health, labor, business, legal, LGBT, student, and women’s organizations working together to end the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and grow support for the freedom to marry.

And this spring’s collection of ties is very spiffy indeed. Each one retails at $25.00, and is inspired by New York City with tribute names such as The Flatiron, The Highline, The Delacorte, The Soho, The Chelsea, The Crosby, and The Isaac Mizrahi, which was designed by Mizrahi specifically for this collection.

Stay tuned for images of the collection, Tie the Knot will release in the coming days. You can follow along with up-to-date news and developments throughout the country on Tie the Knot’s website, on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube. Bow tie enthusiasts, rejoice!

During elections, 30-second sound bites are designed to prey on people’s fears and prejudices. But in a court of law, as we saw during the 2010 federal district court trial of Prop. 8, their arguments fall apart when witnesses are compelled to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Let’s take a look at their claims and the real facts.

First, there’s the usual lie that marriage has remained unchanged for “thousands of years,” which doesn’t even withstand basic scrutiny.

But what do the experts think? Nancy Cott, who is a Harvard history professor, had this to say at the Prop. 8 trial:

The “political coverance purpose of marriage today is — has shifted rather dramatically, because we no longer assume that a single head of household governs everyone below it. We have a much more individualized distribution of political power in our population, particularly since 1920…The institution of marriage has always been at least as much about supporting adults as it has been about supporting minors, children, as the proponents tend to emphasize the child’s side.”

Here’s Dr. Cott’s testimony recreated verbatim by actress Yeardley Smith at the Los Angeles premiere of “8.”

But then there’s an even stranger claim from NOM: that marriage was “made by God” for the purposes of procreation:

Obviously this point doesn’t hold any weight either as people can procreate without marrying. And marry without procreating. Not to mention, the thousands of gay and lesbian parents who are raising children. According to UMass Amherst Professor Lee Badgett’s testimony during the Prop 8 trial:

“Prop. 8 has inflicted substantial economic harm on same-sex couples and their children who live in California.”

NOM also claims that “Marriage is an issue that should be decided by the people,” says narrator Kelly Yanta.

Peoples’ fundamental rights should never be put up for popular vote. And with ads filled with lies, there’s no wonder why.

NOM has indicated that their first attack ad in Maine will launch on Monday. It’s likely to be as accurate and reasonable as their commercials in Minnesota.

• Contribute to Minnesotans United for All Families
• Contribute to Mainers United for Marriage

When it comes to the loving relationship of Ryan Bunson and Danny Fernandez of San Francisco, there is nothing non-traditional about this couple. Growing up in Pittsburgh and Miami respectively, by their twenties each of them made their way to a life of love and happiness in San Francisco.

On one lucky Monday evening, Danny and Ryan each stumbled upon the same restaurant and instantly connected. “I just saw this beautiful person standing next to me and thought, ‘Gosh, how nice it is to see such a great smile,’” recalls Danny. The pair started talking, and the relationship grew organically from there. “A few months later, we were completely in love.”

Today, Ryan and Danny are still living in San Francisco and have been together for over three years. “We get one another,” they continue. “We have similar goals; we have met each other’s parents and families. We just work.” Their relationship is certainly no different than any one else’s.

Planning for the Future

Now that Ryan and Danny have found each other, they are looking forward to starting a family. However, they would like to go the route of being legally married first.

“Marriage is part of strengthening familial bonds,” says Ryan. “We were at Danny’s family reunion recently and they were all asking us when we are having kids! Marriage is a traditional value.”

Danny explains, “We are looking into buying a house together and having kids. We don’t want to have to jump through extra hurdles.” Ryan continues, “The next steps we want to take in our lives will be challenging if we are not married.”

Relying on Each Other

Ryan and Danny attribute their successful relationship to their love, dedication and hard work. “We found each other so randomly!” Ryan jokes, “We bring happiness and youthfulness to each other and we are truly excited about being together. We are yin and yang to each other.”

Danny says of Ryan, “He really is my rock. I love his sweetness and his even-temperedness – I am a firecracker! We are total opposites, but we connect at the core of our beings. There is a level of trust there that is so fulfilling.”

Unfortunately, Ryan and Danny are still waiting on the ability to move their relationship forward.

The New York Times on Friday features the growing number of gay couples who—like many other couples— are facing pressure from family and friends to start a family soon after they get married.

At the June wedding of Tom Lotito and Matt Hay, both 26:

One after another, their guests began asking: Are you going to have kids? When are you going to have kids?

….

“It’s another way that I feel like what we have is valid in the eyes of other people,” said Mr. Hay, who married Mr. Lotito in June before 133 guests.

During the 2010 Prop. 8 trial, the Proponents inevitably tried to make the argument that the central purpose of marriage is procreation, and that the optimal environment for children in is with a mother and a father. Their claims ignored research on gay parenting, and the reality of many straight married couples who either choose not to have kids or can’t, in addition to children being raised by single or divorced parents.

AFER attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies called to the stand University of Cambridge Dr. Michael Lamb to talk about gay and lesbian parents :

“[We have] a much larger body of research focused on this question documenting very conclusively that a child being raised by gay and lesbian parents are just as likely to be well-adjusted as children raised by heterosexual parents.”

In this week’s episode of Marriage News Watch: The Defense of Marriage Act has some powerful enemies, with strongly-worded opposition coming this week from some familiar names. A flawed study on LGBT parenting is also under attack, with its author now under investigation. All that and some good news coming out of Maine.