National Freedom to Marry Day
Encyclopedia
National Freedom to Marry Day is a non-official United States
holiday held annually on February 12 to promote same-sex marriage
. The holiday was founded in 1999 by Lambda Legal
, a gay rights advocacy law firm based out of Washington, DC.
The most notable National Freedom to Marry Day was February 12, 2004 when, following a directive from San Francisco, California
mayor Gavin Newsom
to his county clerk, the City and County of San Francisco began issuing marriage license
s to same-sex couples. On February 10, Newsom had asked the clerk's office to make the changes on the "forms and documents used to apply for and issue marriage licenses…in order to provide [them] on a non –discriminatory basis."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
holiday held annually on February 12 to promote same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. The holiday was founded in 1999 by Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is an American civil rights organization that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities as well as people living with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.Lambda's founder William J. Thom, Esq...
, a gay rights advocacy law firm based out of Washington, DC.
The most notable National Freedom to Marry Day was February 12, 2004 when, following a directive from San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
mayor Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
to his county clerk, the City and County of San Francisco began issuing marriage license
Marriage license
A marriage license is a document issued, either by a church or state authority, authorizing a couple to marry. The procedure for obtaining a license varies between countries and has changed over time...
s to same-sex couples. On February 10, Newsom had asked the clerk's office to make the changes on the "forms and documents used to apply for and issue marriage licenses…in order to provide [them] on a non –discriminatory basis."
External links
- Today is Freedom to Marry Day - Just Don't Say "Gay Marriage"!, Evan WolfsonEvan WolfsonEvan Wolfson is an American civil rights attorney and advocate. He is founder and executive director of Freedom to Marry, a group favoring same-sex marriage in the United States...
, Huffington Post, February 12, 2008. - San Francisco Mayor's Office Press Release