United for Marriage: Light the Way to Justice rallies are being planned for Washington, D.C., and all 50 states as LGBT citizens and allies celebrate the Supreme Court taking up two major cases next week.
The United for Marriage Coalition consists of civil rights, religious and political leaders and their plans are for more than 150 events on March 26, the first day of the two days of hearings before the high court. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two marriage-related cases – one challenges the federal Defense of Marriage Act that bars the government from recognizing same-sex marriages and one challenges the California constitutional amendment against gay marriages.
The largest rally would begin at 8:30 a.m. at the U.S. Supreme Court Plaza, First and East Capital Streets NE in Washington.
Speakers include Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Bishop Gene Robinson and his daughter Ella Robinson, Janet Murguía of the National Council of La Raza, ESPN/CNN commentator LZ Granderson and Phoenix couple Nelda Majors and Karen Bailey.
Other actions around the country will take place on or before March 26. A press release from United for Marriage said:
• Faith communities will use the weekend prior to talk about issues of LGBT and marriage equality during services
• LGBT people and families will join a campaign writing letters to editors.
• Activists will lobby their local elected officials to support marriage equality.
• Local activists and groups will organize rallies for marriage equality.
• Students and educators will hold teach-ins and other programs.
A schedule of events is on the Web, and shows events being organized in Wisconsin in both Madison and Milwaukee.
The Madison listing says "details coming soon."
In Milwaukee, a rally and vigil to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act and Repeal Proposition 8 will take place at 5 p.m. March 26 at Plymouth Church, 2717 E. Hampshire St. Sponsors include the United Church of Christ, Equality Wisconsin, the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and United for Marriage.
On the Web…
