MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA 2013 PRESS RELEASES

Communications Team:

Stuart Gaffney Communications Director

John Lewis Legal & Policy Director

John Mattras News Manager

Thom Watson Social Media Manager

MEUSA CELEBRATES UTAH COURT RULING IN FAVOR OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY - Press Release, 20 December 2013 "This has been a banner year for marriage equality across the nation, and 2013 is not over yet. Today's ruling in Utah shows that the momentum for marriage equality is truly unstoppable. As we head towards 2014 we are seeing that every state has an equal opportunity to join the 17 plus marriage equality states ... and counting!"

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA APPLAUDS NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT DECISION FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY - Press Release 19 December 2013 "...What a wonderful reminder that as we celebrate love and marriage in more states than ever before, in the end the marriage cases are about so much more than marriage - they are about our full humanity."

A VIRAL VIDEO ABOUT MARRIAGE EQUALITY TO PREMIERE DECEMBER VIA YOUTUBE, The MEUSA-sanctioned Public Service Announcement will feature several “celesbian” cameos - Press Release from Melke PR 16 November 2013 "Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA), the largest grassroots organization in the working towards legal recognition of same-sex marriage in all fifty states, partnered with Melke to Executive Produce this project. Melke brings experience in LGBT media and -centric projects to the table. Currently they represent Jen Foster; they are producing Nicole Conn’s next film; and Melke and Co-Producer WingSpan Pictures, have partnered with GLSEN to produce the feature length Love Is All You Need, in support of anti-bullying."

MEUSA HAILS THE PASSAGE OF HISTORIC HAWAIIAN MARRIAGE BILL, Second Marriage Equality Victory this Month - Press Release 12 November 2013 "The momentum for marriage equality feels unstoppable, but it is only a reality today in Hawai’i because of the thousands and thousands of grassroots conversations the people who live in Hawai’i have been having for so many years about the importance of love and marriage. One year ago at this time, there were 7 states with the freedom to marry, and today there are 16. Marriage Equality USA and our project, the National Equality Action Team (NEAT), will continue to have heartfelt conversations around the country until we have the freedom to marry nationwide.”

Senator Kahale, an indigenous native of Hawai'i, stated unequivocally during today's hearing, "Same-sex relationships are part of the very fabric of native Hawaiian culture." He concluded his remarks with, "Aloha was meant to describe openness and caring for each other. It is time for Aloha for all." COALITION WORK RESULTS IN ILLINOIS MARRIAGE EQUALITY VICTORY! - Press Release 5 November 2013 "Over the last several weeks, the love and commitment of our NEAT volunteers and partners across the country gave voice to the support for loving and committed couples in Illinois. We join Illinois in celebrating this victory for love, fairness and for all families!"

CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR FOR WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6! HOLLYWOOD IS CALLING! - E-blast to Greater MEUSA Members 4 November 2013 "SHE4MARRIAGE and Marriage Equality USA are working together to shoot a soon-to-be-viral PSA video about marriage equality. We need both volunteers to work on, and extras to appear in, the video which will be shot in West Hollywood on Weds., Nov. 6!"

CELEBRATED GUESTS TO ATTEND SHE4ME VIDEO SHOOT THIS WEDNESDAY AT ANDAZ WEST HOLLYWOOD – PSA DIRECTED BY NICOLE CONN FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA - Media Advisory 4 November 2013 "SHE4MarriageEquality will shoot the high-end video clip to the song SHE produced by L.A. based K. Rocco Shields, WingSpan Films, Sue Melke and Nicole Conn this Wednesday, November 6 at Andaz West Hollywood. The song, written and performed by Jen Foster and rearranged into an orchestral dance mix by music producer Eve Nelson, is expected to become a dance anthem as soon as the PSA premieres. The video features cast appearances by Jen Foster and award winning actors Barbara Niven, Nicole Pacent, Gabrielle Christian, and Mike C. Manning. The November 6 shoot will be attended by additional guests who will be making cameo appearances in the video as attendees at a mock wedding. The celebrated guests include Rebecca Staab, Traci Dinwiddie, Guinevere Turner, Ana Ortiz, Judy Reyes, Mary Wells, Jennie McNulty, John W. McLaughlin, Cathy DeBouno, Haviland Stillwell, Steve Tyler, Bonnie Somerville, and Jessica Graham. Greater Los Angeles area Marriage Equality USA members will be serving as extras in the video."

ACCLAIMED LESBIAN FILMMAKER NICOLE CONN TO DIRECT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA AT ANDAZ WEST HOLLYWOOD - Media Advisory, 28 October 2013 "Music and video projects like this have the power to impact millions of viewers by showing the love and commitment that is celebrated and protected by passing civil marriage equality for LGBTQ families. We at MEUSA are thrilled to be a part of the SHE4MarriageEquality project!"

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA CHEERS NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT’S DECISION - Press Release 18 October 2013 “Today’s decision provides tremendous momentum at a key moment in our movement. Meanwhile, Marriage Equality USA and our project, the National Equality Action Team (NEAT), are working every day to make the freedom to marry a reality in New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, and nationwide."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA THRILLED TO PARTNER WITH MARRIAGE EQUALITY 4 PENNSYLVANIA - Press Release 18 October 2013 “The core of MEUSA is to empower local communities to advocate on their own behalf to win the freedom to marry. Partnering with an outstanding grassroots partner like ME4PA is a perfect way to combine the resources and expertise of both groups to bring equality to LGBT families as soon as possible.”

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA ANNOUNCES NIGHT OF ACTION FOR THE FREEDOM TO MARRY IN HAWAII - Press Release 17 October 2013 "Just as loving, committed couples' genders should not restrict their freedom to marry; neither should their state of residence. The rest of the country, particularly National Equality Action Team (NEAT) partners and volunteers on the West Coast, who are in a better position to phone bank for Hawaii, stands with Hawaii in their historic bid for marriage equality." MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA LAUNCHES THE NATIONAL EQUALITY ACTION TEAM - Press Release 3 October 2013 "The National Equality Action Team is unique in that it gives passionate marriage equality advocates across the country -- especially those in marriage equality states who want to pay it forward -- a chance to play an important role in our national movement to win the freedom to marry."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA APPLAUDS NEW JERSEY COURT DECISION IN FAVOR OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY - Press Release 27 September 2013 "It's a brand new day since the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark marriage decisions in June. While today's decision may be appealed, it shows the accelerating pace of progress towards the day when all New Jersey couples are treated equally under the law."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA LAUNCHES BLOG SITE Latest MEUSA Developments & Perspectives - Media Advisory 4 September, 2013 "The MEUSA blog, at http://marriageequalityusa.wordpress.com, will keep readers informed of the latest Marriage Equality USA efforts around the country, as well as provide in depth analysis of developments in the movement for full marriage equality."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA APPLAUDS CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT’S DISMISSAL OF PROP. 8 LAWSUIT Ruling Means Same-Sex Couples in California Can Continue To Say “I Do” - Press Release 14 August 2013 “Today’s decision finally marks the end of years of litigation by the Prop. 8 proponents to deny the freedom to marry to lesbian and gay couples in California. Today’s decision reaffirms that all loving, committed couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, have the freedom to marry in every county across the state."

SENATOR RICARDO LARA AND MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI PARTICIPATED IN HONORING CONTROLLER RON GALPERIN AND OTHERS AT MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA LOS ANGELES AWARDS RECEPTION - Press Release 10 August 2013 "It is a great honor to receive an award from Marriage Equality USA, which has been integral in the fight to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all. I am deeply humbled and grateful," said Controller Ron Galperin. "We have much to celebrate in the progress we've achieved for marriage equality and for recognizing the rights of everyone, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. I am particularly proud of Los Angeles' long history of leadership in LGBT rights. There is still much work to be done, however, to overcome discrimination and intolerance -- in California, nationally and internationally. I salute Marriage Equality USA for its great achievements and for its ongoing work and resolve."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA STANDS BY U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION RESTORING THE FREEDOM TO MARRY IN CALIFORNIA - Press Release 20 July 2013 "The State of California has unambiguously instructed all 58 counties to abide by the Supreme Court decision. In the face of these last baseless attempts by a few to deny the freedom to marry for all Californians, we expect all counties to follow the law and abide by the direction of the California Attorney General to continue to perform marriages for all California couples without interference or delay."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA LOS ANGELES AWARDS RECEPTION TO HONOR HEROES OF THE MOVEMENT - Media Advisory 2013-07-15 "We are gathering to acknowledge the leaders who are going the distance to make sure the Constitution's fundamental guarantees of freedom and fairness apply to all Americans," said Jane Wishon, Marriage Equality USA Board President. “It feels wonderful to celebrate knowing that loving, committed same-sex couples are once again getting legally married every day in all 58 counties of our Golden State.” MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA CELEBRATES THE RETURN OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY IN CALIFORNIA - Press Release 2013-06-26 “The return of the freedom to marry in California, the most populous state in our nation, marks a turning point in our efforts to secure the freedom to marry for all Americans. Every American should have the ability to marry the person they love wherever they live in our great nation. Marriage Equality USA will continue to help loving, committed lesbian and gay couples, their friends and families, and LGBT people tell their personal stories as we move ever closer to ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in all fifty states.”

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA HERALDS SUPREME COURT DECISION ON “DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT” - Press Release 2013-06-26 ”It’s hard to overstate the importance of today’s Supreme Court decision on the day to day lives of married same-sex couples. These couples will no longer be denied extremely important protections, such as the Family Medical Leave Act, that all other married couples have. Marriage Equality USA will continue to empower same-sex couples and their friends, families, neighbors, and co-workers to share the truth of their lives so that we gain the freedom to marry in every state in the country. Many of our volunteers and leaders actively participated in making the freedom to marry a reality in Rhode Island, Delaware and Minnesota earlier this year. Our work won’t end until we have full nationwide equality for every American.”

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO MEDIA REGARDING HISTORIC SUPREME COURT RULINGS - Media Advisory 24 June 2013 "Our Executive Director Brian Silva, Media Director Stuart Gaffney, Legal Director John Lewis, and members of our Board of Directors and staff are available for interviews leading up to the rulings, the day the rulings are issued, and following Decision Day. MEUSA members and leaders, individuals and families directly affected by both Supreme Court rulings can speak to their specific circumstances."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA SAN FRANCISCO AWARDS RECEPTION TO HONOR HEROES OF THE MOVEMENT INCLUDING LT. GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM & SAN FRANCISCO CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE - Press Release 29 May 2013 "The history of marriage equality is forever linked with events in San Francisco and the leadership this city has always provided. So much of the love, grassroots energy, political organizing, and legal expertise at the forefront of the movement emanates from San Francisco, and we couldn't be more excited to honor the tireless leaders who won't rest until the freedom to marry is the law of this land."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA 15th ANNUAL NATIONAL GALA TO HONOR LONGTIME SUPPORTERS OF THE MOVEMENT INCLUDING LEA DeLARIA, GOOGLE AND SWISH - Press Release 21 May 2013 "This has already been a tremendous year for marriage equality. With four wins last fall at the ballot box and three more in statehouses in the last three weeks, it is truly an honor to recognize the contributions our honorees have made in helping us make this an historic time for marriage equality."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA CELEBRATES THE FREEDOM TO MARRY IN MINNESOTA! - Press Release 13 May 2013 "When the legislature doors opened and we knew we had prevailed, justice rolled down like water and our cheers filled the Capitol rotunda in ecstatic celebration..." "And, gratitude flowed back from the crowd to the members of the legislature who had affirmed marriage equality in Minnesota. It was a transcendent moment!"

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA CONGRATULATES DELAWARE ON PASSAGE OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY! - Press Release 7 May 2013 "Marriage Equality USA members and partners have teamed up every week, going door-to-door in the neighborhoods to talk about the importance of the freedom to marry with Delaware's citizens. With the passage of the marriage equality bill, our volunteers feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment that our collective efforts have created change."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA CONGRATULATES RHODE ISLAND ON PASSAGE OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY - Press Release 24 April 2013 "The freedom to marry is sweeping the nation, as Rhode Island becomes the 10th state in the union with marriage for all, in the same week that France became the 14th nation worldwide with equal marriage rights. The momentum from coast-to-coast and around the world is unstoppable."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA DEPLORES THE EXCLUSION OF LGBT FAMILIES FROM CIR - Statement for Immigration Equality Website 20 April 2013 "These are real families forced to make choices that no one should ever have to make. Marriage Equality USA deplores the exclusion of same- sex couples from immigration reform because love recognizes no geographic boundaries; families and children deserve the protection, dignity, and respect of a loving home."

IN RESPONSE TO TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN BOSTON MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA TAX DAYS ACTIONS ARE CANCELLED - Press Release 15 April 2013 “Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and the injured in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as with their families and friends. In solidarity with all of those affected by the traumatic events we are cancelling the remainder of today's Tax Day actions immediately."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA STANDS UP FOR EQUALITY FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES ON TAX DAY - Press Release 15 April 2013 “We are encouraged by the recent Supreme Court arguments against the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). But until America fulfills its promise of equal justice under the law, tax day will continue to be an annual day of reckoning for how our couples and families face unequal treatment – and are often forced to pay more than their fellow citizens to the same government that denies us equal rights.”

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA HOPEFUL AFTER THE SECOND HISTORIC DAY OF U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARINGS - Press Release 27 March 2013 “The case to end DOMA is compelling. DOMA unfairly denies thousands of legally married same-sex couples across the country federal protections in many areas of their lives such as social security, veterans’ benefits, health care, taxes, and immigration. Every lower federal court that has considered the issue has held that excluding married same-sex couples from these protections in unfair and unconstitutional. After today’s hearing, we are hopeful the United States Supreme Court will do the same.”

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA HOPEFUL FOR RULING IN FAVOR OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY AFTER UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ARGUMENTS - Press Release 26 March 2013 "The Justices asked very thoughtful questions today, showing that they are considering very carefully the legal questions that are critical to the lives of loving, committed same-sex couples. After hearing the oral argument, we are very hopeful that the Court will rule in favor of the freedom to marry - either by issuing a decision that renders Prop. 8 no longer enforceable, or by issuing a broader ruling that excluding loving committed same-sex couples from marriage violates the United States Constitution."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA STANDS WITH THE MARRIAGE PLAINTIFFS AT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, AND TOGETHER WITH OUR COMMUNITY AT RALLIES IN ALL 50 STATES - Press Release 25 March 2013 "As two of the key equal rights cases of our generation come before the highest court of the land, we seek fulfillment of the promise that the words engraved on the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C., 'Equal Justice Under Law,' apply to us. We stand shoulder to shoulder with — and on the shoulders of — the millions of LGBT people who have come out and have built a movement... Although only a handful of attorneys will actually argue the cases before the Court, we all will be before the Court Tuesday and Wednesday."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA APPLAUDS OBAMA AMINISTRATION'S HISTORIC AMICUS BRIEF TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OPPOSING PROPOSITION 8 - Press Release 28 February 2013 “The Administration’s brief should carry great weight with the Court. The President of the United States has now made clear to the Justices of the Supreme Court that the United States Constitution prohibits Proposition 8’s exclusion of lesbian and gay couples from marriage.” said MEUSA™ Legal Director John Lewis. “The already compelling case for the freedom to marry became even stronger today.” Read/download the brief.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA FILES US SUPREME COURT BRIEF TELLING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY IN THE PERSONAL VOICES OF SAME-SEX COUPLES, Nationwide Organization of LGBT people, friends, family, and allies files Amicus Brief in Proposition 8 Case (Hollingsworth v. Perry) - Press Release 28 February 2013 “This case is ultimately about our common humanity – our common instinct to love and to have kin – and what should be our common freedom under the United States Constitution to marry the person we love.” Read/download the brief.

LET OUR PEOPLE WED Same-sex Couples to Request Marriage Licenses on Valentine’s Day as Marriage Equality Heads to the U.S. Supreme Court - Press Release 13 February 2013 "Same-sex couples will be asking for marriage licenses on Valentine's Day, just as briefs in the marriage cases are being filed with the United States Supreme Court. This year, couples will hold hands at the marriage counter with the hope that the Justices will rule on the side of love, so that the court cases can stop and the wedding plans can start."

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA APPLAUDS PRESIDENT’S HISTORIC RECOGNITION OF THE FREEDOM TO MARRY AS A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE - Press Release 21 January 2013 "Marriage Equality USA heeds the challenge in today’s presidential remarks to 'continue a never-ending journey – to bridge the meaning of those words to the realities of our times, for history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executed.' The themes of today’s inaugural speech were inclusivity, and emphasized what we can do together and via personal responsibility. MEUSA will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that all military families receive the same benefits, to work for immigration reform that will enable binational couples and families to stay together, to create the caring and safety noted by the president as primary needs for children for LGBTIQ youth and the children in LGBTIQ families, and we will work to guarantee that equality is extended to transgender and Intersex members of our community."