This week in gay marriage in the United States, you can add one more state to your list of “possible reception locations” and a few hundred thousand more people – including celebrities! – to your list of “potential guests.”
We should start with concrete good news, because that’s the fun kind! The Delaware bill that made awesome civil unions happen was signed into law this week! Governor Dave Markell spoke out against prejudice on May 11, where he signed the legislation in front of The Queen theater (obviously) and 600 screaming fans – er, Delawarians. Are they called Delawarians?
A refresher on the legislation: it is the first of its kind that will provide protections for the civil unionized out-of-state! And it is sweet because it makes things like this happen:
But no, that is not all! Now we have some indirectly positive good news that will make you feel heartwarmed! The pressure to finally get President Obama behind full marriage equality for gay people is getting a little more full-on — one celebrity at a time.
Freedom to Marry recently started a campaign by collecting signatures urging Obama to get behind full marriage rights in all 50 states. “Say I Do, Mr. President” implores Obama to end marriage inequality, especially after his break-up with DOMA.
Their letter thanks him for the work he has done and encourages him to take a position – a clear, strong position – supporting marriage equality, once and for all:
Mr. President, marriage matters. In law, in love, in life, marriage says “we are family” in a way that nothing else does. Marriage is the coming together of two lives, marked by a public promise of love and responsibility in front of friends and family. And marriage brings not only public respect and personal significance, but also a safety net of legal protections, rights, and responsibilities for which there is no substitute. […]
You can offer hope to millions of young gay and lesbian Americans who are facing discrimination. You can tell them that their future is bright, that they, too, will be able to grow up and marry the person that they love, that the pursuit of happiness truly belongs to all of us. You can put government on the side of those seeking to care for their loved ones, instead of those standing in their way. You can affirm that for all of us, gay or non-gay, love is love and commitment counts— and that we Americans should treat others as we all want to be treated.
The letter has garnered some serious celebrity and notorious public figure love, as well as the support of religious figures, educators, and average, everyday people like YOU. Yes, you can sign it! And be among Melissa Etheridge, Lance Bass, and the rest of them.
And things got really interesting when Caroline Kennedy hopped on board and said, “Hello, Mister President, remember how much I meant to your election campaign?” Remember, those are kind of hard sometimes. She spoke out about signing the letter, and said some other sweet things:
“Falling in love, getting married and building a family is part of the American dream,” Kennedy said. “I believe that all Americans, including committed gay and lesbian couples, should have the opportunity to pursue that dream.”
So this week, wherever you go, remember: your signature, your voice, and every rainbow could mean progress in the movement for marriage equality! Also, there is no tax in Delaware. Something to think about.
