‘Mayors for the Freedom to Marry’ adds five new co-chairs, sets 50-state goal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Freedom to Marry have announced the addition of mayors from Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and San Antonio as new co-chairs of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry and set a goal of reaching 500 mayors representing all 50 states. The program, launched in January 2012 with 80 mayors, now has more than…

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All legal same-sex marriages will be recognized for federal tax purposes

WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a ruling that will ensure all legally-married same-sex couples, regardless of where they live, will be recognized for federal tax purposes.  Recently the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which…

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New Mexico: Dona Ana County issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples

Same-sex couples in Doña Ana County, NM began receiving marriage licenses this morning after the county clerk announced he was issuing them based on a legal opinion endorsed earlier this year by the City of Santa Fe and a recent filing by the attorney general stating that New Mexico’s laws demanded that the state issue…

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SSAB: Individuals in same-sex marriages should not wait to submit applications for Social Security benefits if they believe they are eligible

WASHINGTON — Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Social Security and Medicare benefits may soon be available to same-sex couples in the District of Columbia and the 13 states recognizing same-sex marriage. June 26,  in United States v. Windsor, the Supreme Court ruled Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional, finding…

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‘Oregon Says I Do’ gathers 37,211 signatures in first 10 days for the ‘Freedom to Marry’ initiative

PORTLAND, Ore. – In just 10 days, volunteers with Oregon Says I Do collected 37,211 signatures for the initiative that would make it legal for same-sex couples to marry in Oregon. Oregon Says I Do is the petition committee dedicated to qualifying the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative for the November 2014 ballot….

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Lambda Legal and ACLU file federal class action seeking to end Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Today Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia are filing a federal class action lawsuit seeking the freedom to marry for all same-sex couples in Virginia as well as an end to Virginia’s refusal to recognize marriages same-sex couples have legally entered elsewhere….

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Marriott celebrates love and pride with its associates

BETHESDA, Md.– Global lodging leader, Marriott International, Inc. today dedicated a special collection of photos and tributes to its own associates worldwide, celebrating their weddings and commitment ceremonies. The campaign launches with same-sex couples and will then expand, inviting all families, friends and associates to take part. These photos and tributes may be found on…

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ACLU moves to challenge N.C.’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples

RALEIGH, N.C. – Today the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of North Carolina Legal Foundation (ACLU-NCLF) announced plans to challenge North Carolina’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples by amending a federal lawsuit filed against the state last year on behalf of six same-sex couples and their children that challenges North Carolina’s…

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