Marriage Equality

Wisconsin Supreme Court Delivers Setback to Marriage Equality

The Wisconsin Supreme Court today upheld the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. The law had been challenged on a technical question regarding the 2006 ballot initiative that included the ban.

California Judge Hears Closing Arguments in Prop 8 Trial

In a defining moment for equality, yesterday a federal district court judge heard the closing arguments in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case that will determine the constitutionality of California’s ban on same-sex marriages.

Supreme Court Blocks Cameras from Prop 8 Trial

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an order blocking cameras from the courtroom in the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger which challenges the constitutionality of California's anti-gay ballot initiative.

New Jersey State Senate Defeats Marriage Equality Legislation

Today, the New Jersey State Senate rejected legislation that would grant same-sex couples the right to be legally married.

PFAW: Where We've Been and Where We're Going

The recent and unparalleled resurgence of right-wing extremism in todays politics concerns us deeply. But thanks to three decades of PFAW activists, we can meet any challenge.

Monitoring, Exposing, and Countering the Right in 2009

Following the 2008 election, and the Right’s drubbing at the polls, many people suggested that the Right was dead. Some even said that People For the American Way could declare victory and go home. But we knew better. Despite our optimism at the inauguration of Barack Obama, People For knew that the Right remained a grave threat, with its infrastructure intact, its funders unbowed, and its extremists undaunted

DC Council Passes Marriage Equality Legislation

The DC City Council today gave final approval to legislation that will extend marriage equality to same-sex couples. Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the law, which will go into effect after the Congressional review period has elapsed.

DC Council Gives Preliminary Approval to Marriage Equality Legislation

The D.C. City Council today voted 11-2 to approve legislation that would allow same-sex couples to be married in the District of Columbia. The legislation will be voted on again in two weeks, at which time it will be sent to Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has promised to sign it.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel Statement on the Upcoming Vote on the DC Marriage Bill

As the DC Council prepares to vote on a bill granting equal marriage rights to gay and lesbian Americans, Rev. Kenneth L. Samuel, Senior Pastor of Victory For the World Church in Atlanta and Senior Fellow of People For the American Way, said, "The DC Council now has such a momentous opportunity to prove to the nation that marriage equality is indeedthe next step toward full equality for all citizens."

Maine Passes Anti-Marriage Referendum

Voters in Maine yesterday approved a referendum repealing the marriage equality legislation passed by the state legislature in May. People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan said, "The results on Question One are deeply disappointing to all people who care about equal rights for all Americans."

PFAW Memo: Election Results, the Far Right, and Fighting Back

Tuesday's electoral returns offered a mixed bag of results. A few bright spots managed to appear among some disappointing defeats, and politicians from both parties should consider them carefully before making rash, and perhaps costly, conclusions.

Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009: Written Testimony of Peter Mongomery, Senior Fellow, People For the American Way

Written Testimony of Peter Montgomery, Senior Fellow, People For the American Way on behalf of the Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009.

Cosponsors of H.R.3567

List of cosponsors for H.R.3567, the Respect for Marriage Act of 2009

Peter Montgomery's Testimony on Behalf of Marriage Equality in DC

Peter Montgomery, Senior Fellow at People For the American Way, testifies on behalf of marriage equality in the District of Columbia.

Rev. Samuel Statement on Marriage Hearing

Today, the DC City Council will hear public testimony on legislation that would allow same sex couples to be legally married in the District. Reverend Kenneth Samuel, Senior Fellow at People For the American Way and a member of PFAW's African American Ministers In Action program, said, "I'm proud that our nation's capitol is poised to give equal marriage rights to all the citizens of the District, and I want to thank the council members who are standing up for the rights of all people."

An Open Letter to Progressive Allies from People for the American Way on the Importance of Defeating Question 1 in Maine

An open letter from People for the American Way President Michael B. Keegan on the importance of Defeating question 1 in Maine

Bishop Harry Jackson Worried That Right Wing Racism Hurts His Anti-Gay Crusade

Bishop Harry Jackson, who is leading a campaign to prevent same-sex couples in the District of Columbia from being able to legally marry, is employing increasingly divisive rhetoric designed to push a wedge between the District’s African Americans and supporters of gay rights in the city.

Department of Justice Brief Defends DOMA in Marriage Case

The Department of Justice today filed a brief defending the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) in the case Gill v. Office of Personnel Management. People For the American Way president Michael B. Keegan said, “I’m disappointed that the Department of Justice once again chose to defend a law which, by the Department’s own admission, discriminates against gay and lesbian Americans. In Massachusetts and other states, there are now two groups of legally married couples: one group which gets all the federal benefits that come with marriage, and another group which receives nothing. That situation is intolerable. The administration missed an important opportunity to make clear that discrimination against LGBT people is unacceptable.

Outside Religious Right Groups Targeting Marriage Equality in Maine With a Prop 8-Style Campaign Based on Lies and Big Money

Religious Right Targets Maine & Marriage Equality with Money, Anti-Gay Swat Teams and Reprise of Prop-8’s False Fearmongering Strategies

National Religious Right organizations that bankrolled the effort to put Proposition 1 on the ballot in Maine descended on the state this past weekend with a SWAT team of anti-gay leaders and veterans of last year’s Prop 8 battle in California.

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