“Equal feels good.”

That’s what our plaintiff Jeff Zarrillo said moments after he was pronounced legally married to the love of his life, Paul Katami. 

From our stirring victory at the U.S. Supreme Court to the emotional day when our plaintiffs were finally married, we’ve put together a great video about what it was like when marriage equality returned to California.

Four years ago, AFER set out to challenge Proposition 8 in federal court because the Constitution guarantees every American the equal right to marry the person they love. Now, the discrimination imposed by Prop. 8 is gone for good and gay and lesbian couples are once again able to get married in California. This time, though, there is nothing anyone can do to take it away.

Over the past two weeks, hundreds of gay and lesbian couples have fulfilled their dream of getting married. By exchanging vows, they are committing their lives to one another and are forever transformed by taking part in a sacred bond, one that is fully recognized by the State of California and the federal government. 

Because of our work together, nearly 95 million Americans, or 30% of the country, now live in a state with marriage equality. And, most of all, our nation has taken giant leap forward to fulfilling its promise of equality for all.

Overview

Overview

We’re counting down the days to a Supreme Court ruling on Prop 8. Marriage may go to voters in Ohio, but there’s some dispute over timing. New polls show ongoing progress in California and across the nation. And New Mexico’s Attorney General addresses the challenges to the state’s marriage ban.

Transcript

We’re counting down the days to a Supreme Court ruling on Prop 8. Marriage may go to voters in Ohio, but there’s some dispute over timing. New polls show ongoing progress in California and across the nation. And New Mexico’s Attorney General addresses the challenges to the state’s marriage ban.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. Welcome to Marriage News Watch for June 10, 2013.

There’s only a few days left for the Supreme Court to rule on Prop 8. So far they’ve set aside June tenth, thirteenth, seventeenth, and twenty-fourth for rulings. But they could add more days as we get closer to the end of the month.

Visit AFER.org for an illustrated guide to the various ways the court could rule. And subscribe here you YouTube for breaking alerts on the case.

In a surprise announcement this week, an FreedomOhio unveiled plans to bring marriage to the ballot in 2014. They also claimed to be working with Human Rights Campaign, Equality Ohio, Freedom to Marry, and various other organizations.

But within a few hours, those other groups sought to distance themselves from the move. According to various spokespeople, there has been conversation but no agreement on timing.

An Ohio ballot measure in 2014 would face tough challenges. Although polls show support growing and opposition falling, public opinion is still very close. For comparison, organizers in Oregon have announced plans for a ballot measure of their own in 2014. Polling there shows marriage with a lead of nearly ten percentage points. When Maine successfully brought marriage to the ballot, polling showed a lead of nearly fifteen points.

And new polling in California shows support is stronger than ever, with 55 percent in favor to 37 percent opposed.

National attitudes continue to trend in our favor, according to multiple new polls released last week. We have more data on marriage right now than ever before, which allows us to paint a highly precise picture of the growth in public support. We’ll be keeping a close eye to see how that trend is affected by the ruling on Proposition 8 expected before the end of the month.

Meanwhile in New Mexico last week, Attorney General Gary King called the state’s marriage laws “vulnerable to challenge.” The ACLU has already filed suit over the state’s refusal to issue marriage licenses. And last week a second couple filed a lawsuit of their own.

Minnesota has begun issuing marriage licenses. The first documents were issued last week, and take effect on August First.

Subscribe here on YouTube and at AFER.org for breaking news alerts on the Prop 8 case. And remember to like this video and share it with your friends.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. We’ll see you next week.

Overview

The fight for marriage equality will continue in Illinois after the state’s House failed to bring legislation up for a vote last week. Plus, more surveys show support for marriage continues to climb across the country. And lawmakers introduce not one, but four different bills to legalize marriage in Michigan. We go over the differences and take a look at public opinion.

Transcript

Marriage loses in Illinois — for now. Plus, more surveys show support for marriage continues to climb across the country. And lawmakers introduce not one, but four different bills to legalize marriage in Michigan. We’ll go over the differences and take a look at public opinion.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for June 3, 2013.

It was close, but Illinois just barely missed its chance to become the 13th state to legalize marriage equality. But of course, this is just a temporary setback. Polling in Illinois show that support for marriage is growing quickly. And opposition is shrinking even faster.

Meanwhile, we’ve picked up yet another major national survey that shows a majority of Americans favor the freedom to marry. This time it’s the Public Religion Research Institute, with 52% in favor and 43% opposed. This makes the 26th survey to show marriage at 50 percent or higher. It’s been three years since the opposition last polled over 50 percent.

Lawmakers have introduced four new bills to legalize marriage in Michigan. Each one tackles a different aspect of marriage. SJR W would repeal the state’s constitutional ban on marriage. SB 405 would repeal the state’s statutory ban on marriage. SB 406 would recognize gay and lesbian marriages from out of state. and SR 64 would call on the federal government to repeal DOMA. Polling looks good in Michigan, with recent surveys showing around 57% support for equality and 38% opposed.

Support for marriage in California continues to grow. It’s now at 56% in favor to 38% opposed, according to a new PPIC poll.

And marriage is now the law of the land in France. Weddings began last Wednesday across the country, the fifteenth to legalize the freedom to marry.

Could the United States be the sixteenth? The US Supreme Court rules on Prop 8 in less than one month, and they could legalize marriage equality from coast to coast.

Subscribe here on YouTube and at AFER.org for breaking news alerts on the case. You can help support the cause of equality by liking this video and sharing it with your friends.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. We’ll see you next week.

Overview

More victories as a marriage bill clears hurdles in Minnesota. And there’s progress appears likely in neighboring states as well. But soon, constitutional amendments in 30 states could delay any further success for years to come.

Transcript

More victories as a marriage bill clears hurdles in Minnesota. Passage appears likely this week, with marriages starting in August. And there’s progress in neighboring states as well: an impending vote in Illinois, a potential ballot measure in Ohio, and a surge in public support in Pennsylvania. By the end of this year, we could have a continuous stretch of marriage that goes from Maine to the western end of the Great Lakes.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. Welcome to Marriage News Watch for May 13, 2013.

Marriage equality is moving fast in Minnesota. By the time you watch this, the Senate may already have voted on a bill. It passed the House late last week, and passage in the Senate appears likely. From there, it goes to Governor Mark Dayton, who has pledged to sign it. If passed, marriage would start on August First. This would bring the total number of states approving the freedom to marry up to 12, an increase of three in just the last month.

There are a lot of reasons for this sudden spread of marriage from one state to the next. One of those reasons is the overwhelming support for marriage equality among young people. Seventy percent of Americans born after 1980 support the freedom to marry, according to a new Pew survey.

And Minnesota may not be the last state to pick up marriage equality this year. Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois is pushing hard for a vote on a marriage bill. It’s already passed the Senate, and needs 60 votes to pass the house. Quinn says the support is there, and the public seems to agree. A February poll showed 50 percent support for the marriage bill, with just 29 percent opposed.

Neighboring Ohio could have marriage on the ballot this year. While organizers collect signatures, the state Democratic party just began a fundraising campaign to support marriage equality.

And next door in Pennsylvania, a new Franklin and Marshall poll shows support for marriage at 54 percent to 41 percent. Support for a marriage equality constitutional amendment in PA has increased eleven points in just the last year.

And across the country in Nevada, a committee heard testimony on a marriage equality bill last week. Support for the bill is strong, with twelve hundred comments in favor and only nine hundred opposed. But it still has a long way to go. Voters will need to approve the bill, and the soonest it could appear on the ballot is 2016.

Meanwhile we’re closer than ever to resolution on the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. Subscribe here on YouTube and at AFER.org for breaking news alerts and to find out how you can help support the cause of equality for all.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. We’ll see you next week.

Overview

We’re celebrating some major victories with week, with two more states about to gain the freedom to marry. Civil unions begin in Colorado, and voters appear ready to upgrade that to marriage. Plus, legislation advances in Pennsylvania and Nevada.

Transcript

We’re celebrating some major victories with week, with two more states about to gain the freedom to marry. Civil unions begin in Colorado, and voters appear ready to upgrade that to marriage. Plus, legislation advances in Pennsylvania and Nevada.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for April 29, 2013.

With a victory in the Senate last week, Rhode Island is set to become the next state with marriage equality. One more procedural vote in the House is all that’s left, and then the bill goes to Governor Lincoln Chaffee, who has pledged his signature. Marriage would begin there on August First.

Not to be outdone, Delaware’s House of Representatives also passed a marriage bill. Now it’s on to the Senate, where the Executive Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on Wednesday of this week. The vote there could be close. Visit EqualityDelaware.com to follow the progress and get involved. If passed, marriages would begin on July First, making Delware and Rhode Island the tenth and eleventh states with marriage.

Across the country, civil unions will start in Colorado on May First. The Office of the Clerk in Denver will be open at midnight to start processing forms. A new survey from Public Policy Polling shows support for civil unions at 50% to 38% opposed. And support for full marriage equality in Colorado stands at 51% to 43%. Among voters under 30, support is at 74 to 17.

Civil unions may also be coming to Pennsylvania. Democratic Representative Mark Cohen from Philadelphia has introduced a House Bill to recognize gay and lesbian couples in PA.

And a marriage has advanced in Nevada, but it still has a long way to go. The state Senate passed the bill, which would repeal a constitutional ban on marriage. It must now pass again in 2015 and go before voters in 2016. A 2012 survey from Public Policy Polling shows support for marriage at 47% to 42% opposed.

In international news, lawmakers in Colombia have rejected a marriage bill. This means that the country will likely start recognizing civil unions in mid-June to comply with a Supreme Court ruling. And a civil unions bill is now headed to parliamentary discussion this summer in Malta.

Meanwhile we’re closer than ever to resolution on the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. Subscribe here on YouTube and at AFER.org for breaking news alerts and to find out how you can help support the cause of equality for all.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. We’ll see you next week.

Summary

Marriage equality continues to spread, with major milestones this week that span from the Great Lakes region to the Mid-Atlantic. Plus, New Zealand becomes the 13th country to legalize the freedom to marry, and international progress continues from Colombia to Vietnam.

Transcript

Marriage equality continues to spread, with major milestones this week that span from the Great Lakes region to the Mid-Atlantic. Plus, New Zealand becomes the 13th country to legalize the freedom to marry, and international progress continues from Colombia to Vietnam.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for April 22, 2013.

As the Prop 8 and DOMA cases work their way through the US Supreme Court, work on marriage legislation has been rapidly accelerating in multiple states. The question for 2013 is not “will any more states legalize marriage this year,” but rather, “which ones will legalize marriage?”

With the freedom to marry almost a done deal in all of New England, work now is expanding to the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes Regions. We’re seeing significant progress in states including Minnesota, Ohio, and New Jersey.

Organizers in Minnesota convened rallies and an intense lobbying session at the state Capitol last week. Lawmakers have two rival bills to consider: one would legalize marriage, while the other would extend limited civil unions.

You can connect with Minnesotans United for All Families to find out more and get involved. Meanwhile, a new study by the Williams Institute shows that marriage equality would add 42 million dollars to the state’s economy, including three million in tax revenue.

A new survey in Ohio shows public opinion continuing an upward trend in support of the freedom to marry. The Qunnipiac poll shows 48 percent in favor and 44 percent opposed. It’s just the second time a survey has shown a majority favoring marriage equality in Ohio.

We have even stronger polling in New Jersey, where support stands at 62 percent to 30 percent according to a new Rutgers Eagleton Poll. Work toward marriage is proceeding on three tracking in New Jersey: there’s a lawsuit, legislation, and talk of a ballot measure.

To New Jersey’s north is New York and Connecticut, where marriage is already legal. To the south, in Delware, a House committee passed a marriage bill last week. It’s now headed for a full House debate, possibly as early as this week.

Polling in Delaware is strong, with a February survey from Global Strategy Group showing support at 54 to 37 percent.

And there’s more major international news this week. After marriage bills advanced in France and Uruguay two weeks ago, lawmakers have now passed a marriage bill in New Zealand. Marriages there will commence in mid-August.

Lawmakers in Colombia have postponed a vote on a marriage bill for another week. Due to a 2011 Supreme Court ruling, marriage will automatically be legalized in that country if a bill is not passed by June of this year.

And a Deputy Health Minister in Vietnam has called for marriage equality. The National Assembly is tentatively planning to debate the issue in 2014.

Meanwhile we’re closer than ever to resolution on the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. Subscribe here on YouTube and at AFER.org for breaking news alerts and to find out how you can help support the cause of equality for all.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. We’ll see you next week.

Overview

More positive polling this week, as yet another US Senator comes out for marriage equality. We have some major action quickly approaching in state legislatures. All that plus a huge international shake-up, with access to marriage set to expand in at least three countries.

Transcript

More positive polling this week, as yet another US Senator comes out for marriage equality. We have some major action quickly approaching in state legislatures. All that plus a huge international shake-up, with access to marriage set to expand in at least three countries.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for April 15, 2013.

It seems like every week there’s another round of polls showing more support than ever for the freedom to marry. This week, it’s an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll with 53% in favor and 42% opposed. This is an increase of two percentage points just since December. In addition, 56% said that marriage equality should be determined federally, instead of from state to state.

Also in national news, South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson has joined the 53 other U.S. senators who support marriage equality. This leaves just three Senate Democrats who have not endorsed.

And there’s major action coming soon in multiple states. This week Delaware introduced a marriage equality bill. Lawmakers expect to pass the measure, which has widespread support, by June of this year.

We’re also close to a vote on a marriage bill in Rhode Island. Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed told reporters that she expects a vote before the end of this month. It could come as early as next Monday, when lawmakers return from spring break.

Marriage equality made significant international advances this week as well. The French Senate has approved a marriage bill. It now must undergo a few more procedural votes, but at this point its passage is almost completely assured.

Uruguay is similarly situated: this week lawmakers approved a marriage bill there. It now goes to President Jose Mujica for his signature, which he has pledged.

And debate starts in Colombia this week, with the Senate there scheduled to weigh a marriage bill on Wednesday. A deadline to pass a bill is fast approaching. Two years ago, the country’s Constitutional Court gave lawmakers a deadline of June, 2013 to approve marriage legislation. If a bill is not approved in the next two months, the country will be automatically required to begin recognizing gay and lesbian unions.

In addition to these advances internationally and in the states, we’re just weeks away from the deadline for the US Supreme Court to rule on the Prop 8 case. Subscribe here on YouTube and at AFER.org for breaking news alerts and to find out how you can help support the cause of equality for all.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. We’ll see you next week.

Transcript

AFER’s bringing you a backstage look at what it’s like to bring a case to the US Supreme Court. Cindy McCain announces her appearance in “8,” Dustin Lance Black’s play about the Prop 8 trial. There’s also new marriage lawsuit in Utah, more good news in state polls, and six more Senators come out for the freedom to marry.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume, and welcome to Marriage News Watch for April 8, 2013.

Well the excitement from the Supreme Court arguments two weeks ago is simmering down. Now we wait for an ruling, which could come at any time but most likely will happen at the end of June.

In case you haven’t seen it already, AFER released an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Supreme Court arguments.  We followed the plaintiffs and legal team as they assembled in Washington DC and prepared for their day in court. Click the video below or visit AFER.org to watch this inside look at what it’s like to bring a case before the highest court in the land.

While the Supreme Court considers the freedom to marry, public opinion continues to rapidly shift in our favor. A new Quinnipiac poll shows 50% of Americans supporting marriage equality. Although other surveys have found higher levels of support, this is the first time this particular survey has reached 50%.

Among the Americans who have come to support the freedom to marry is Cindy McCain, wife of Senator John McCain. She’ll appear next month in a Phoenix production of “8,” Dustin Lance Black’s play about the Prop 8 trial. Visit 8theplay.com for more details about the show, and to find a production near you.

Meanwhile, more and more politicians are standing up for equality. Six sitting senators, Republican and Democrat, endorsed the freedom to marry this week, bringing the total to 53. They’re Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Tom Carper of Delaware, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Bill Nelson of Florida, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.

Turning to states, Minnesota may be the next to implement marriage equality. But a handful of politicians have proposed civil unions as a compromise or backup plan. So far their civil union proposal has yet to attract the support already pledged to a full marriage bill.

Three gay couples have filed a federal suit in Utah, challenging that state’s constitutional amendment barring marriage. A Utah Voter Poll from 2012 shows that 71 percent of Utahns favor some form of relationship recognition, but just 28% support marriage.

In contrast, a new Field Poll in California shows support for marriage is up to 61 percent to just 32 percent opposed. A Quinnipiac poll in New Jersey shows support at 64 to 30 percent. And voters in Virginia are split, with 45 percent in favor of marriage equality and 46 percent opposed.

And finally this week we’re about to get a final vote on a marriage bill in France. The French Senate will hear the measure starting on Tuesday of this week, with debate scheduled to end on Friday. Passage there appears likely.

Those are the headlines this week. With oral arguments complete, we’re now closer than ever to the conclusion of our years-long work to overturn Prop 8. Visit AFER.org to get the latest news and sign up for breaking alerts.

At the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. We’ll see you next week.

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.