Mourning The Loss of Mildred Loving

Mourning the Loss of Mildred Loving
by National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Acting Executive Director Rea Carey

The Task Force mourns the death of Mildred Loving, whose challenge to Virginia's ban on interracial marriage led to the landmark 1967 Supreme Court ruling striking down such laws nationwide.
Loving died May 2 at the age of 68.

Loving issued a statement last year on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia decision, in which she wrote:

"I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people's religious beliefs over others."

With tremendous strength and grace, the Lovings challenged the immorality of anti-miscegenation laws that sought to deprive Americans of one of the most personal decisions they would ever make: whom to marry. In doing so, the Lovings altered history for the better.

Read the press release Read Mildred Loving's 2007 statement

Task Force, Inc., urges California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign marriage equality bill

PRESS RELEASE

Task Force, Inc., applauds California Legislature’s passage of measure and the work of state partner and bill sponsor, Equality California

Second time in two years the Legislature has passed a bill that would grant same-sex couples the right to marry

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., is urging California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign a marriage equality bill passed Friday by the state Senate. With a 22-15 vote, the Senate approved AB 43, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno and sponsored by Equality California (EQCA). The Assembly passed the bill on June 5 with a 42-34 vote. This is the second time in two years that the California Legislature has passed a bill that would give all couples equal access to a marriage license. The governor has until Oct. 14 to act on the bill.

Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc.

“The California Constitution is clear: Everyone is equal under the law, and that’s just what this bill does — grants equality to all couples. For far too long, too many California families have been placed in harm’s way because they lack the full, fundamental protections they deserve. Governor Schwarzenegger can rectify this inequality by stepping up and signing this bill the moment it lands on his desk.”

Statement by Thalia Zepatos, Organizing & Training Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation

“One thing is clear — marriage equality is inevitable in this state — it’s only a question of time before the courts, the Legislature and the people of California all unite around this basic principle of equality. We are looking to Governor Schwarzenegger to be a leader and get out in front of where the people are already going.

“We commend the staff and leaders of Equality California, Assemblymember Mark Leno and all the allies and legislators who’ve worked so hard to support this bill.”

About the Task Force’s work in California:

Through its partnership with EQCA, the Task Force has been working to build support for the freedom to marry in California. The Task Force has five full-time organizers in California who have helped establish a coalition of more than 45 organizations that support marriage equality. Since 2004, the Task Force has spent more than $500,000 in organizing, training and supporting these efforts.

–30–

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc., is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc., are not tax-deductible.

Press Releases

Recent Press Releases

Press Release Archive

Gay rights group evaluates the candidates

via DallasNews Religion

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has released what it calls the first comprehensive analysis of where the presidential candidates stand "on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues."

You can download the 35-page report here.

On the second page is a checklist showing where the Democratic and Republican candidates stand on eight issues of key interest to the task force. Across the board, the Democrats fare much better, in the eyes of the group.

One Democrat, Dennis Kucinich, got a perfect eight out of eight on the issues. Other Democrats, including front-runners Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Omaba, got seven out of eight...