Prop 8 unprecedented Support for Marriage Equality

In This Issue Prop. 8 Case Status The New York Times Features AFER's Broad Array of Supporters 100+ Readings of "8" More Marriage Headlines Marriage is the foundation of family, an institution that brings our nation together. By reaching across the political divide and bringing together conservatives and progressives like renowned attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies, AFER is changing the way people think and talk about the issue of marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. In this monthly update, read about our work to take the message of equality across the country, the incredible, growing bipartisan support for marriage equality, and other recent developments in efforts to ensure all Americans have the equal dignity and rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Sincerely, Adam Umhoefer Executive Director American Foundation for Equal Rights ___________________________________________________________________ Prop. 8 Case Status After the historic Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals victory for marriage equality in February, the anti-marriage forces that passed Prop. 8 are asking a wider panel of the Ninth Circuit to review our case, Perry v Brown. The Court affirmed that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional, saying that it "serves no purpose… other than to lessen the status and dignity of gays and lesbians in California."  The full Ninth Circuit must now vote whether to rehear the case en banc. There is no deadline by which the court must decide, however the Court has previously placed the case on an expedited schedule and AFER is hopeful for a swift resolution. AFER will continue to keep you posted about the case's progress. ___________________________________________________________________ The New York Times Features AFER's Broad Array of Supporters   In a front page article, The New York Times reports at length about the unprecedented group of supporters AFER has brought together, including progressives like founding donors David Geffen and Steve Bing, and Republicans like investor Paul Singer. As a result of involvement from people like AFER's lead co-counsel Ted Olson and Board Member Ken Mehlman, a new, diverse group of donors is stepping up to support marriage equality. "This emerging group of donors is not quite like any other fund-raising network that has supported gay-related issues over the past 40 years. They come from Hollywood, yes, but also from Wall Street and Washington and the corporate world; there are Republicans as well as Democrats; and perhaps most strikingly, longtime gay organizers said, there has been an influx of contributions from straight donors unlike anything they have seen before." Read the full article at nytimes.com > ___________________________________________________________________ 100+ Readings of "8" The Los Angeles premiere of "8" starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen has been viewed over 770,000 times online. But Dustin Lance Black's documentary play is also being performed across the country to spark dialogue and understanding for marriage equality. Seven performances will take place in North Carolina this month, in addition to Massachusetts and Maryland. Map of performances > ___________________________________________________________________ More Marriage Headlines AFER Lends Support to Marriage Equality Lawsuit Filed in Nevada Today, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund filed a lawsuit in federal courton behalf of eight gay and lesbian couples in Nevada seeking marriageequality. Read more > DOMA Gets A(nother) Day in Court Last week, attorneys representing 17 legally married or widowed men and womenand the Commonwealth of Massachusetts asked the First Circuit Court of Appealsin Boston to uphold a ruling by the Federal District Court which struck downparts of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Read more about the oral arguments > Unprecedented Bipartisan Majority for Marriage Equality Law In an incredible showing of bipartisan support for marriage equality, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 211 to 116 last month to keep the state's marriage equality law intact. A majority of the Republicans who voted, over 100 legislators, stood on the side of fairness and equality. More > American Foundation for Equal Rights ©2011   Stay Connected

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