Marriage Equality Rally in Portland March 26, 2013
Marriage Equality Rally in Portland March 26, 2013
A large crowd gathered in front of the Mark O Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland, Oregon to support marriage equality on the first day of arguments before the Supreme Court for two cases that involve the legality of same-sex marriage.
People rallied across the country in support of same-sex marriage as more and more Americans say they support the legal right of gays and lesbians to marry. In fact, a recent poll showed 58% of Americans now support same-sex marriage.
The support for same-sex marriage keeps increasing. Back in 1996, only 27% of Americans supported same-sex marriage and in 2003 33% supported it. Now the majority of Americans support equality for gays and lesbians. The numbers are even higher for young people, with some polls showing as high as 80% of young people support the rights of gays and lesbians to marry.
Rainbow Flying for Gay Rights
The crowds that gathered on the first day of the Supreme Court arguments about a case that is challenging California's Prop 8 is reminiscent of the large protests and rallies that happened around the country in 2008 after Prop 8 was approved by voters and same-sex marriage was over-turned in California.
In Portland, OR a large crowd gathered to listen to speakers and show their support for marriage equality.
Marriage is Something to Smile About
Some studies show that people who are married are generally happier than those who remain single their whole lives. Don't same-sex couples deserve the right to pursue happiness, just as heterosexual couples do? That's one of the big points in the argument for marriage equality before the US Supreme Court.
Section one of 14th Amendment to the US Constitution states "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
This is the basis for part of the argument about why Prop 8 is unconstitutional in the case before the Supreme Court this year.
Redheads for Marriage Equality
Whether gay or straight, red-haired, blonde, black or brown, marriage is a right that more and more people are supporting. More and more studies show that you can no more choose your sexual orientation than you can your eye color or any other in-born trait.
More and more churches, politicians, celebrities and everyday folk are coming around to support full marriage equality, including President Barack Obama.
Oregon is one of 29 States with a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Back in 2004 Oregon voters were among 11 States that passed constitutional bans on gay marriage that year. Activists in Oregon are considering another ballot measure, this time to overturn that law and make same-sex marriage legal.
In the meantime, Oregon has a strong domestic partnership law that gives same-sex couples all of the state rights as married couples.
Portland was one of the first places to legalize same-sex marriage back in 2004, shortly after San Francisco made history by declaring gay marriage legal. But those marriages were soon invalidated by the courts who ruled the decision was not properly handled.
Social media has become a big part of LGBT activism. In fact, many people turned their Facebook profile pictures into a red and pink equal sign to show support for marriage equality. More and more political campaigns are being waged on Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media. It's easy to show your support for causes you believe in without showing up for a rally or demonstration. Or if you do go to a rally, you can share with the world that you are there.
A large crowd gathered in front of the Mark O Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland, Oregon to support marriage equality on the first day of arguments before the Supreme Court for two cases that involve the legality of same-sex marriage.
People rallied across the country in support of same-sex marriage as more and more Americans say they support the legal right of gays and lesbians to marry. In fact, a recent poll showed 58% of Americans now support same-sex marriage.
The support for same-sex marriage keeps increasing. Back in 1996, only 27% of Americans supported same-sex marriage and in 2003 33% supported it. Now the majority of Americans support equality for gays and lesbians. The numbers are even higher for young people, with some polls showing as high as 80% of young people support the rights of gays and lesbians to marry.
Rainbow Flying for Gay Rights
The crowds that gathered on the first day of the Supreme Court arguments about a case that is challenging California's Prop 8 is reminiscent of the large protests and rallies that happened around the country in 2008 after Prop 8 was approved by voters and same-sex marriage was over-turned in California.
In Portland, OR a large crowd gathered to listen to speakers and show their support for marriage equality.
Marriage is Something to Smile About
Some studies show that people who are married are generally happier than those who remain single their whole lives. Don't same-sex couples deserve the right to pursue happiness, just as heterosexual couples do? That's one of the big points in the argument for marriage equality before the US Supreme Court.
Section one of 14th Amendment to the US Constitution states "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
This is the basis for part of the argument about why Prop 8 is unconstitutional in the case before the Supreme Court this year.
Redheads for Marriage Equality
Whether gay or straight, red-haired, blonde, black or brown, marriage is a right that more and more people are supporting. More and more studies show that you can no more choose your sexual orientation than you can your eye color or any other in-born trait.
More and more churches, politicians, celebrities and everyday folk are coming around to support full marriage equality, including President Barack Obama.
Oregon is one of 29 States with a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Back in 2004 Oregon voters were among 11 States that passed constitutional bans on gay marriage that year. Activists in Oregon are considering another ballot measure, this time to overturn that law and make same-sex marriage legal.
In the meantime, Oregon has a strong domestic partnership law that gives same-sex couples all of the state rights as married couples.
Portland was one of the first places to legalize same-sex marriage back in 2004, shortly after San Francisco made history by declaring gay marriage legal. But those marriages were soon invalidated by the courts who ruled the decision was not properly handled.
Social media has become a big part of LGBT activism. In fact, many people turned their Facebook profile pictures into a red and pink equal sign to show support for marriage equality. More and more political campaigns are being waged on Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media. It's easy to show your support for causes you believe in without showing up for a rally or demonstration. Or if you do go to a rally, you can share with the world that you are there.
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