SAN DIEGO, United States federal courthouse, 880 Front Street – Supporters of marriage equality will gather today at 6 p.m. at Union Street and West Broadway in advance of the U.S. Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in two historic cases that examine whether gay and lesbian Americans should have the same opportunities as everyone else. The Rally is part of the United for Marriage: Light the Way to Justice Coalition, a group of LGBT and allied organizations rallying in Washington, D.C. and in communities all across the country to show the broad support for marriage equality. There will be more than 150 events nationwide in 46 states and San Diego will be one of the largest.
Featured Speakers:
On The Defense Of Marriage Act:
Dr. Lori Hensic, Director of Educational Affairs for the American Military Partner Association; Lori Hensic is an Assistant Professor and teaches Health Policy for UC San Diego’s medical programs. She is also the Regulatory Pharmacist for Ambulatory Care services at UC San Diego Health System. Lori has a Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) with an emphasis in Health Policy & Management from UC San Francisco, and holds specialty clinical training in both Ambulatory and HIV/AIDS Clinical Care. Her partner, Shaina, is an active duty U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot and squadron department head. Lori is dedicated to critical educational efforts aimed at strengthening LGBT military families’ representation and engagement in political and legislative activity. Her educational outreach campaigns and collaborations with other national advocacy organizations help inform LGBT military families, the public, and the electorate about disparities in LGBT families’ access to military services and benefits – as well as how to assist with means to change them.
On the civil rights violation of Proposition 8:
Pastor Richard McCullen of Mission Gathering Christian Church. Founder and lead pastor of Mission Gathering Church. He has been called a visionary, innovative and progressive Evangelical leader. He started Mission Gathering with several young adults, who were sick and tired of religion, yet at the same time, they did not want to give up the life and message of Christ. Rich is a storyteller of God’s grace and his prophetic, progressive voice challenges the status quo of institutional Christianity. Rich is a resident of North Park in greater San Diego.
“Now more than ever, it’s important for people who support the freedom to marry to come together and show their support, we’ll be coming out to raise our voices and send a clear signal that the nation is ready for marriage equality – the time is now,” said Sean Sala the organizer and a national gay rights activist)
Support for marriage equality across demographics is at an all-time high. According to a March 2013 Quinnipiac poll, 54 percent of Americans support marriage equality. And a recent poll from Grove Insight found that 75 percent of Americans – including 56 percent of Republicans – view the freedom to marry the person you love as a constitutional right.
San Diego is one of many events occurring all across the country.
