Section 1: Lobbying & Public Education

A. Talking points/FAQ’s from the ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project

  1. “ACLU Message Points on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples and the Federal Marriage Amendment”
  2. “Talking Points on Equality and Marriage”
  3. “Talking Points on Survey Data on Marriage of Same-Sex Couples”
  4. “Frequently Asked Questions about Equality and Marriage”
  5. Q&A on “The Fight for Marriage Equality in Maryland”
  6. Template for legislative testimony - letters to legislators, position papers, etc. on proposed state legislation
  7. "Don't Just Sue the Bastards - Do Something Useful"
  8. What's Next for Same-Sex Relationships
  9. "Manifesto of the Movement"

B. Successful affiliate experiences

  1. “Special Report on This Week’s Legislative Victory in Harrisburg” by Larry Frankel (ACLU of Pennsylvania, Legislative Director)
  2. “Pennsylvania Residents: Support Proper Adoption Legislation” action alert
  3. “Defeating Anti-Gay Relationship Legislation: A Success Story from South Dakota” by Paul Cates (Public Education Director, ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project)
  4. Families Under Attack: Real Stories About Michigan Families - ACLU of Michigan

C. Countering opposition arguments

  1. "For Gays, It happens All the Time" - Newsday article on the right to make medical decisions
  2. “Straight-Out Truth on Gay Parents,” Los Angeles Times; social science evidence refuting anti-gay arguments about parenting
  3. Social and psychological associations’ brief for Massachusetts high court marriage case
  4. “Why It’s Wrong: The Social Science Case,” ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project
  5. Press release on UCLA study showing that same-sex couples raising children need the support marriage provides
  6. Press statements by two teens about being raised by gay couples, opposing FMA
  7. “Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents,” American Academy of Pediatrics statement
  8. “Adoption and Co-parenting of Children by Same-sex Couples,” American Psychiatric Association position statement
  9. American Academy of Family Physicians statement on gay parenting
  10. “APA Supports Legalization of Same-Sex Civil Marriages and Opposes Discrimination Against Lesbian and Gay Parents,” American Psychological Association
  11. North American Council on Adoptable Children position statement on lesbian and gay adoptions and foster care
  12. Suggested response to “judicial activism” argument
  13. “Prenuptial Jitters: Did Gay Marriage Destroy Heterosexual Marriage in Scandinavia?,” M.V. Lee Badgett, Ph.D.; Slate.com
  14. "Will Providing Marriage Rights to Same-Sex Couples Undermine Heterosexual Marriage? Evidence from Scandinavia and The Netherlands, ” M.V. Lee Badgett, Ph.D.
  15. “Codifying ‘Biblical Principles’ of Marriage,” Representative Jim McDermott's remarks before the House of Representatives
  16. Congressional Budget Office report - same-sex marriage would have positive effect on federal tax revenues
  17. UCLA fiscal impact study - legalizing marriage for same-sex couples would mean more revenue for California
  18. Counting on Couples: Fiscal Savings from Allowing Same-Sex Couples to Marry in Connecticut, UCLA

© 2005 American Civil Liberties Union Lesbian and Gay Rights Project