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HRC launches marriage ad campaign

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign launched a new ad campaign this week aimed at educating the public about the fundamental rights and benefits that are granted to couples in this country by obtaining a civil marriage license.
"This campaign answers the question 'How does society benefit by
providing civil-marriage licenses to all committed, loving couples?'"
said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "Civil-marriage licenses,
which are wholly separate from the religious institution, ensure that
devoted couples can visit each other in the hospital, have the
protection of pension, healthcare and social security benefits, and
generally allow couples to care for one another and their children."
The ads feature real same-sex couples facing hardships, including a surviving partner of a Sept. 11 victim who was not eligible for the same benefits as other surviving partners, and a senior couple who worry about passing on their pension and retirement savings. Married couples have the safety-net of civil-marriage and social security protections and do not face such hardships.
Congress is currently considering the Federal Marriage Amendment
(FMA) which would amend the U.S. Constitution for only the 18th time
since the bill of rights, to permanently define marriage in this country
as being between one man, and one woman. It would also deny each state
the right to decide family law and relationship recognition for itself.
If the FMA were to pass, it would be the first time that the
constitution has been amended to specifically deny rights and
protections to a single group of Americans.
According to an ABC News poll, only 20 percent of Americans
favor a constitutional ban on civil marriages for same-sex couples; 33
percent oppose such marriages but wouldn't amend the Constitution; and
37 percent would make them legal. Of those who oppose civil marriage
equality for gays and lesbians, 60 percent still say it's not worth
amending the Constitution.

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