FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 14, 2011
CONTACT: Brad Luna — 202/812.8140 (cell) or brad@lunamediagroup.com

BREAKING NEWS:

Marriage Equality Activists Take Action Across the Country

On Valentine’s Day, LGBT Americans are Again Shut Out of Fully Celebrating With the Ones They Love

Washington, DC – Over the weekend and this afternoon, LGBT activists across the country took action at marriage counters and city halls across the country, drawing attention to the fact that loving couples – some of whom have been together for decades – are still living as second-class citizens without the right to marry.

The direct actions organized by GetEQUAL – a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – and Marriage Equality USA – a national grassroots organization focused on winning the right to civil marriage for all LGBT Americans – took place across the country in places stretching from North Carolina to California. A list of actions appears below.

“Today, we’re so proud of all the people taking actions across the country,” said Robin McGehee, director of GetEQUAL. “We’re thrilled with how many people across the country have decided that enough is enough, and have committed to organizing in their own communities in order to draw attention to their desire to marry the person they love.”

Molly McKay, media director of Marriage Equality USA, said, “The actions that have taken place across the country are just one more way that we are bringing discrimination out of the shadows and into the light, highlighting the loving relationships that are thriving throughout the country despite government-sanctioned discrimination.”

Photos and video of these actions will soon be available online at www.getequal.org. Also, you can visit GetEQUAL’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/getequal) to stay up-to-date regarding responses to these actions, and a detailed list of national actions is available at www.requestmarriage.com.

List of National Actions (alphabetical by state):

CA Arcata, Humboldt County

Date: Monday, February 14

Event: Flash Mob Kiss Your Partner, to increase awareness of diverse sexualities

Time: 12:00 Noon for 5 or 10 minutes

Location: The quad at Humboldt State University or anywhere!

Organized by: Eric Rofes Multicultural Queer Resource Center

Contact for info: Corrina Hatzidakis ceh57@humboldt.edu or Ian O’Brien ito1@humboldt.edu

CA Contra Costa County

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Rally to call for marriage equality

Time: 3:30-4:30 PM

Location: Outside of Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office, 555 Escobar St., Martinez

For info contact: Leslie Stewart ca-contracosta@marriageequality.org, 925-765-6064

CA Fresno

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support, cake

Time: 12 Noon-1:00 PM

Location: Fresno County Clerk’s Office, 221 Kern St, Fresno

For info contact: Jason Scott & Jaymi Morgan ca-fresno@marriageequality.org, Jason 559-862-4559

CA Los Angeles

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Marriage Counter action, apply for licenses, witness in support, cake & flowers, speakers

Time: 11:30AM-12:30 PM

Location: East Los Angeles Clerk’s Office, 4716 E. Caesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90022

For info contact: Jane Wishon ca-losangeles@marriageequality.org, 323-260-2991

CA Modesto

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 12:00 Noon-1:00 PM

Location: Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, 1021 I St. in Modesto

For info contact: Joshua Estevez (209) 534-6471

CA Sacramento

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Press conference at11:30 AM, apply for marriage licenses, witness in support, speakers, cake

Time: 12:00 Noon-2:00 PM

Location: Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, 600 8th St (8th & F), Sacramento

For info contact: Julie Tindall ca-sacramento@marriageequality.org, 916-293-1715

CA San Diego

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 8:00-10:00 AM

Location: San Diego County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy., Suite 273

For info contact: Rachel Scoma rachel@canvassforacause.org, 760-271-0579

CA San Diego

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Legally married same-sex couples can renew their vows during San Diego County’s annual

Valentine’s Day Tradition on the Bay

Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: San Diego County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy., Suite 273

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/feb/10/county-allows-same-sex-couples-to-

renew-marriage/

CA San Francisco

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Speakers, singing, apply for marriage licenses, cake & flowers, marriage counter sit-in

Time: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Location: San Francisco City Hall marriage counter and City Hall steps

For info contact: Molly McKay mmckay@marriageequality.org, 510-332-0872

CA San Francisco

Date: Tuesday, February 15th

Event: Love Warriors reading & signing with author Dr. Davina Kotulski

Time: 7:30-9:00 PM

Location: A Different Light Bookstore in the Castro, San Francisco

For info contact: Davina Kotulski davina@davinakotulski.com

CA San Francisco

Date: Saturday, February 19th

Event: Love Warriors Workshop – How Inclusive Communities of Faith Can Make a Positive

Difference in the Marriage Equality Movement, led by Dr. Davina Kotulski

Time: 3:00-5:00 PM

Location: Second Wind, San Francisco

For info contact: Davina Kotulski davina@davinakotulski.com

CA San Jose

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 2:00-3:00 PM

Location: Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office, 70 W. Hedding, San Jose

For info contact: Lisa Liu & Ray Hixson ca-santaclara@marriageequality.org

CA Yolo County

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, receive IOU’s for 1138 rights, dedicate day to Linda Waite

Time: 12:00 Noon-1:00 PM

Location: Yolo County Clerk Recorder Freddie Oakley’s Office, 621 Co0urt St. in Woodland

For info contact: Shelly Bailes & Ellen Pontac ca-yolo@marriageequality.org, 530-753-8283

CO Denver

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Peaceful rally, couples welcome to request marriage licenses, please wear wedding garb

Time: 4:00-5:00 PM

Location: Webb Municipal Office Building, 201 West Colfax Ave., Denver

For info contact: Cathi Woodward, Kate Burns, Ryan Kendall colorado@marriageequality.org

FL Orlando

Date: Friday, February 11th

Event: Rachel Gardiner & Nicki Drumb will apply for marriage licenses, come witness

Time: 1:00-2:00 PM

Location: Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Room 355

For info contact: Nicki Drumb 407 398-2862

FL Orlando

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 12:00 Noon-1:00 PM

Location: Orange County Clerk of the Courts, 435 N. Orange Avenue

For info contact: Britt Blakey 321-278-1869

FL Orlando

Date: Monday, February 14

Event: 3rd Annual Human Heart – an OUTright Love-In; Orlando Gay Chorus will be singing! Sunset

is at 6:14 PM, so be sure to arrive by then!

Time: 6:00-7:00 PM

Location: Loch Haven Park, 2400 N. Mills Ave. corner of Princeton, in Orlando

For info contact: Nicki Drumb 407-398-2862

IL Chicago

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Request Marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 10:00-11:00 AM

Location: Daley Plaza

For info contact: Andrea Crain, (630) 492-0252

MO St. Louis

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: All day

Location: St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market St, St. Louis

For info contact: Show Me No Hate, 314-647-8030

MO St. Louis

Date: Wednesday, February 16th

Event: Dinner to celebrate marriages; 25% of purchases goes to benefit the Show Me

Marriage Equality Bus to Iowa!

Time: 5:00-10:00 PM

Location: Spaghetteria Mamma Mia, 904 S. Vandeventer, St. Louis

For info contact: Show Me No Hate, 314-531-9100

MO St. Louis

Date: Friday, February 18th

Event: 100 Marriages Strong, Show Me Marriage Equality Bus to Iowa City, IA where couples will

marry

Time: All day – call to get details. Bus will depart St. Louis about 5:00 AM and return about 10:00 PM.

Location: Call to get details – St. Louis MO & Iowa City IA

For info contact: Show Me No Hate, 314-647-8030

NC Asheville

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 12:00 Noon-2:00 PM

Location: Buncombe County Courthouse on College St. in Asheville

For info contact: Angel Chandler, getequal.nc@gmail.com

NM Albuquerque

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: All Families Matter Valentine’s Day Rally

Time: 2:00-5:00 PM

Location: Civic Plaza, 4th St. & Marquette

For info contact: Jarrod Scarbrough, GetEQUAL.NM@gmail.com

NY Manhattan

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Witness marriage between Rob Lassegue & Jose Manuel Reyes

Time: 8:00-10:00 AM

Location: Marriage Bureau of Lower Manhatten, 141 Worth St, NY, NY

For info contact: Christin Meador, christin@proudally.org or Cathy Marino-Thomas, cathy@marriageequalityny.org

OH Akron

Date: Monday, February 14

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 1:00-4:00 PM

Location: Akron City Hall, 2 South Main St

Contact for info: Kathryn Brown, noirdame1942@gmail.com

OH Columbus

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: “The More the Marrier”, apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 3:00-5:00 PM

Location: Franklin County Courthouse 375 S. High St. #14D, Columbus, OH

For info contact: Byron Edgington, oh-central@marriageequality.org, 614-634-3774

OH Columbus

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Protest in favor of marriage equality

Time: 3:30-5:00 PM

Location: Broad & High St., Statehouse intersection

For info contact: Thomas Morgan, GetEQUAL OH, tb614@aol.com

PA Bellefonte

Date: Monday, February 14

Event: Marriage license action & Connecting Rainbows march to Rep. Glenn Thompson’s District Office

Time: 8:30 AM-12 Noon

Location: Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans Court, 414 Homes, Suite 2, Bellefonte

For info contact: Audrey Smith, GetEQUAL PA, nimrochdain@yahoo.com

PA Harrisburg

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support, followed by rally at Front & Market

Time: 3:00-4:00 PM (rally from 4:00-6:00 PM)

Location: Dauphin County Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court 101 Market ST, Harrisburg

For info contact: Kelly Jean McEntee http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134286856638284

TX Austin

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, or witness in support

Time: 4:00-5:00 PM

Location: Travis County Clerk’s Office, 5501 Airport Blvd., Austin

For info contact: Michel Diviesti, GetEQUAL TX, 512-931-4067

TX Houston

Date: Sunday, February 13th

Event: Big Gay Wedding Celebration – get married, wedding reception afterwards

Time: 1:30-3:00 PM

Location: Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 West 11th St.

For info contact: Mark Eggleston, 713-861-9149 x106

TX Houston

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: At 11:30 AM apply for marriage licenses at County Clerk’s Office in Caroline St., witness in support; at 12:30 PM march to City Hall at 901 Bagby St.

Time: 11:30AM-2:00 PM

Location: Houston County Clerk’s Office, 201 Caroline St.

For info contact: Barry Ouellette, www.familymarriageequality.org, (281) 989-3400

TX San Antonio

Date: Saturday, February 12th

Event: Take “Kiss Me for Marriage Equality” pictures – professional photographer

Time: 2:00-4:00 PM

Location: HemisFair Park Arch at S. Alamo ST. & E. Nuevo

For info contact: Jay Morris, GetEQUAL TX, jaysays@jaysays.com

TX San Antonio

Date: Sunday, February 13th

Event: Valentine’s Dinner & March to the Courthouse – 4 free mass wedding ceremonies (wear black & white wedding attire)

Time: 10:00 PM-2:00 AM

Location: Luther’s Café 1425 N. Main St.; Bexar County Courthouse

For info contact: Julie Pousson, 210-880-7885

VA Norfolk

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage licenses, witness in support

Time: 1:00-2:00 PM

Location: Norfolk Clerk of the Courts Office

For info contact: Beth Brooker, GetEQUAL VA, bbrooker@cox.net or Tiffany Word, supplies@marriageequality.org

VA Richmond

Date: Monday, February 14th

Event: Apply for marriage license, witness in support

Time: 12:00 Noon-1:00 PM

Location: John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th St. in Richmond

For info contact: Gay Community Center, MCC, and People of Faith for Equality

WY Laramie

Date: Monday, February 14

Event: Demonstration for marriage equality, wear wedding garb, bring bouquets

Time: 12:30-3:30 PM

Location: Meet at UW Student Union for rally – then march to Grand Ave., to 3rd & Grand

For info contact: Jeremy Adkins or Will Welch, GetEQUAL WY, 608-575-9455

Founded in 2000, Marriage Equality USA is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally-recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation. For more information or to join go to www.marriageequality.org. Visit Marriage Equality USA on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/marriageequalityusa; follow Marriage Equality USA on Twitter at http://www/twitter/com/meusa.

GetEQUAL is a national, direct action lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization. Emphasizing direct action and people power, the mission of GetEQUAL is to empower the LGBT community and its allies to take action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way. For more information on GetEQUAL, please visit: http://www.getequal.org. You can follow GetEQUAL on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/getequal, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GetEQUAL, or on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/getequal.

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