On Sunday, March 24, the LGBT community gathered on the west steps of the Los Angeles City Hall for a candlelight vigil in support of marriage equality. Gay and lesbian couples and families told their personal stories of love and commitment as the Supreme Court gets ready to hear testimonies in the 'Defense of Marriage Act' (DOMA) and Proposition 8 cases this week.
Reverend Neil G. Thomas of California Faith for Equality started the rally with a prayer. Speakers included gay City Councilman-Elect Mike Bonin; Michael Ai, LGBT Liaison for the Office of Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa; LA Mayor Candidate Wendy Greuel; Trystan Reese of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, his partner John Chaplow and their two children; as well as many other couples and allies who are affected by Proposition 8 and DOMA.
GLAAD's Los Angeles staff rallied along with other state and national organizations to add their voice to the many LGBT people and allies in attendance.
GLAAD is actively working with the Respect for Marriage Coalition, as well as with the United for Marriage Coalition, to elevate the voices of same-sex couples across the nation in order to build support for marriage equality. It is time for our nation's highest court to ensure that same-sex couples are treated fairly under the law - and we need you to help make that happen.
Join GLAAD and our United for Marriage coalition partners in Washington DC for a rally outside of the Supreme Court at 8:30am ET on March 26 and 27.
Click here to RSVP now for the United for Marriage Rally
If you can’t make it to DC, check out our map of events happening around the country and find the one in your community! Don't see one? Click here to register your own.
United for Marriage is also hosting two faith-specific events on March 26:
An interfaith prayer service, “A Prayer for Love and Justice” will take place at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, March 26 at Lutheran Church of the Reformation (a few blocks from the court). You are invited to come to this multi-faith celebration and join the procession out of the church to the rally on the steps of the Supreme Court. RSVP to attend here.
A Seder, “Parting the Waters: A Seder for Love, Liberation and Justice" will be held at 5:30 PM on March 26 at the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave). This date marks the second day of Passover as well as the Prop 8 challenge before the Supreme Court. All are welcome to close their eventful day with this multi-faith, multi-racial, intergenerational celebration. Register and get your tickets here.
The Los Angeles rally is just one of more than 170 actions taking place in every state in the nation this week to show support for the repeal of DOMA and Prop 8. Visit www.glaad.org/marriage to learn more and find out how you can add your voice to show the Supreme Court that all Americans deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law - no matter who they love.
