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Meet 10 typical American families... Denying marriage protections to gay and lesbian couples and their families is unfair and harmful. Visit the homes of ten ordinary couples whose lives demonstrate why marriage is necessary for themselves and their families. 10Couples.org features ten short videos of real couples telling their stories. Watch their videos and learn what you can do to ensure that these couples are no longer denied important protections for their families. Learn more >>

LEARN MORE > Fighting for Marriage: Online Resource Tools for Advocates > Recognition for Same-Sex Relationships: State by State Information

ACLU of Tennessee Files Lawsuit Challenging State Amendment Banning Marriages for Same-Sex Couples (04/21/2005)
NASHVILLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee filed a lawsuit today challenging a proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that would ban same-sex couples from being able to marry in the state. The lawsuit charges that the state failed to meet notification requirements as outlined in the state constitution.

Following Passage of Gay Marriage Bans in 11 States, ACLU Vows to Continue Striving for Equality (11/03/2004)
NEW YORK -- No movement for freedom has ever had a smooth path to progress, and the movement to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage is no different. Nine months ago when the mayor of San Francisco married thousands of lesbian and gay couples, we took a giant step forward. Millions of Americans learned how much gay people yearn for the security and place in society that marriage represents. Millions began to understand the commitments members of same-sex couples make to each other, and how unfair it is to treat those couples as strangers.

ACLU Applauds House Stand Against Discriminatory Marriage Amendment; Calls Vote a Victory for All American Families (09/30/2004)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the House of Representatives for rejecting the Federal Marriage Amendment, calling the vote a victory for all American families. The Senate had defeated the proposal, which would have written discrimination into the Constitution, earlier this year.

Without Any Vote in Sight, House Holds Fourth Hearing on Marriage Rights; ACLU Repeats Call to Exclude Discrimination From Constitution (06/24/2004)
WASHINGTON - Despite signals from House leadership that a vote on a constitutional amendment to deny marriage rights to gays and lesbians will not happen anytime soon, the House Judiciary Committee today held its fourth hearing on denying marriage rights to gay and lesbian families. The American Civil Liberties Union renewed its opposition to the measure and called upon members to reject the politically motivated proposal that would write discrimination into the Constitution.

Bork Calls Upon Congress to Support Discriminatory Amendment; ACLU and Others Say Measure Undermines American Values (05/13/2004)
WASHINGTON - The House Judiciary Committee today held its third hearing on the Federal Marriage Amendment and supporters of the measure called on Robert Bork, whose nomination as a Supreme Court justice was roundly rejected by the Senate because of his radical viewpoints, to defend the proposed amendment that would, for the first time, write discrimination into the Constitution.

Coalition Sign-On Letter of Organizations Opposed to Federal Jurisdiction Stripping Legislation, H.R. 3313, the "Marriage Protection Act" (07/21/2004)

Federal Marriage Amendment (03/23/2004)

Text of the Proposed Amendment (03/23/2004)

NAACP Testimony in Opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment (03/04/2004)

Ways to Take Action to Oppose Writing Discrimination into the Constitution (02/27/2004)

Talking Points on the Federal Marriage Amendment (02/25/2004)