Statement by the President on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2013

Statement by the President on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act

I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act.  This was discrimination enshrined in law.  It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people.  The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for it.  We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. 

This ruling is a victory for couples who have long fought for equal treatment under the law; for children whose parents’ marriages will now be recognized, rightly, as legitimate; for families that, at long last, will get the respect and protection they deserve; and for friends and supporters who have wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and have worked hard to persuade their nation to change for the better. 

So we welcome today’s decision, and I’ve directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly.

On an issue as sensitive as this, knowing that Americans hold a wide range of views based on deeply held beliefs, maintaining our nation’s commitment to religious freedom is also vital.  How religious institutions define and consecrate marriage has always been up to those institutions.  Nothing about this decision – which applies only to civil marriages – changes that.  

The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental truth that millions of Americans hold in our hearts:  when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free. 

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VIDEO: President Obama Calls HRC President Chad Griffin and Prop 8 Plaintiffs to Offer Congratulations

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2013
Charles Joughin

President Obama Calls HRC President Chad Griffin and Prop 8 Plaintiffs to Offer Congratulations

Call from Air Force One Played Live on MSNBC

WASHINGTON – Calling from Air Force One, President Obama this morning placed a call to HRC President Chad Griffin’s cell phone in order to offer his congratulations to Prop 8 plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo.  The call came as Perry and Stier were speaking to Thomas Roberts live on MSNBC. 

During the call which lasted two minutes and caller ID labeled “unknown,” the President expressed his thanks to the plaintiffs for their courage and determination in returning marriage equality to California.

"We're proud of you guys, and we're proud to have this in California," Obama said, according to audio that aired live on MSNBC as the president spoke by phone from aboard Air Force One en route to Senegal. "And it's because of your leadership things are heading the right way. So you should be very proud today."

Watch the call here: http://youtu.be/T3uXbMJftBc

The Administration had filed a brief in the Perry case arguing for an end to Proposition 8.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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With Mobile App, HRC to Turn the Internet Red. Again.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2013

With Mobile App, HRC to Turn the Internet Red. Again.

Days before SCOTUS marriage rulings, iconic red logo to be available via iPhone, Droid apps from Fueled

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) iconic red equality logo is now available in App form. The logo went viral in March as part of efforts to show the widespread support for marriage equality as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two marriage cases.  Created by the mobile design and development firm, Fueled, “Picture Equality” allows users to personalize photos and profile pictures with the red logo.  The App comes as Americans await Supreme Court rulings on the two cases – Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor – which could be announced as early as Monday morning. 

“HRC’s red logo gives smartphone users an easy yet visible way to show their support for marriage at this crucial moment in history,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “‘Picture Equality’ is a fresh and innovative way to reach new people and harness the passion Americans feel about this fundamental fight for fairness.” 

Available for iPhone and Android operating systems, the App allows users to overlay HRC’s red logo onto an existing image, or an image captured with the App. Desktop users can update their photos via a website or Facebook app by visiting www.hrc.org/RED.

"It's not every day that in one fell swoop we can reach millions of users and help out a noble cause we strongly support,” said Fueled director Ryan Matzner.  “When HRC approached us about working on this app, we were thrilled! In particular, their vision for a simple, easy-to-use utility falls is emblematic of the truest definition of an app."

In March, HRC released a modified red version of its logo in anticipation of oral arguments in two marriage equality cases before the Supreme Court.  The logo, which ordinarily features a yellow equal sign in front of a blue square background, went viral on social media platforms around the world.  Facebook saw an unprecedented increase of 2.7 million profile photo changes on March 26 and credited this to the widespread impact of HRC’s red logo. Millions more witnessed the sea of red on social media, signifying the growing support for marriage equality in the U.S. and worldwide.

While the viral moment was a very public display about the growing support for marriage equality, it also had a very personal impact on many LGBT people and their allies.

“We heard countless stories from people whose lives were effected in very real ways by the simple act of updating their profile photos - from the Texas mom who showed support for her gay son for the first time, to the Atlanta businessman who came out to friends and family,” said HRC’s Griffin. “Seeing such a huge swell of support provides hope for the young person who feels bullied or isolated and alone. The sea of red logos shows that young person the love, acceptance and support that exists in their own network – they are alone no more.”

View the App in the Apple Store or Google Play.  For more information on the two marriage cases, visit the HRC SCOTUS Press Resource Page.


Fueled is a digital product design and development incubator globally recognized for its work in the mobile space. With teams of designers, developers and strategists based in New York, Chicago and London, Fueled creates visually stunning products that redefine the technical boundaries of today's mobile development standards. Fueled has built award-winning iPhone, iPad and Android apps used by millions of people for clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to up and coming startups including Barney's, Coca Cola, UrbanDaddy, JackThreads and MTV. 
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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HRC Statement on the Closing of Exodus International

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2013
Paul Guequierre

HRC Statement on the Closing of Exodus International 

Anti-gay organization starts journey toward right side of history

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Exodus International, an organization which for years advocated for and practiced dangerous so-called therapies to change people’s sexual orientation, announced it is closing its doors for good.  In a written statement, the organization’s president Alan Chambers apologized to the gay community for undue judgment and dishonesty.  

“We are encouraged that Exodus International has made the right decision to close down their doors and spare the next generation of the psychological and spiritual trauma they have caused to so many – particularly vulnerable young people,” said Dr. Sharon Groves, director of the HRC Religion and Faith Program. "This is a welcome first step in honestly addressing the harm the organization and its leaders have caused over the past 37 years.  Now we need them to take the next step of leadership and persuade all other religious-based institutions that they got it wrong.  This is the right kind of reparative work that is left for them to do."  

The majority of people of faith and a growing number of religious leaders support LGBT equality.  A poll of people of faith across America commissioned by HRC found 70 percent of Christians agree that when religious leaders condemn LGBT people it does more harm than good.  In a separate 2011 poll, only 24 percent of people believed gay people can be made straight through psychotherapy or prayer. 

In Chambers’ apology statement, he says for years he wasn’t honest about the feelings of same-sex attraction that never left him and for being dishonest about the real ability to change one’s sexual orientation.  Efforts to change sexual orientation or gender expression have been debunked as junk science, and have also been proven harmful to children and adults.  All major medical and mental health organizations have denounced the practice including: the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American School Counselor Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Pan American Health Organization.  Learn more at www.hrc.org/reparativetherapy. 

“Exodus was the oldest and largest pseudo-religious organization telling vulnerable people there was something wrong with them, when in fact they are God’s children,” said Groves.  “But the truth remains there are other organizations out there perpetuating the same myths, telling young people they aren’t loved and perfect the way they are, and causing grave harm in so many people.”  

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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State and National LGBT leaders seek to clarify inaccurate statements from Freedom Ohio

State, national LGBT leaders seek to clarify inaccurate statements from Freedom Ohio

COLUMBUS-A group of state and national organizations leading the fight to win marriage for all families in Ohio and across the country sought to clarify misleading characterizations put forward by Ian James’s Freedom Ohio following a meeting to discuss a strategy for winning the freedom to marry at the ballot box in Ohio.

Contrary to the assertions made by Ian James in an unapproved statement, there was no agreement reached to put forward a ballot initiative in 2014 or any other specific date.

Instead, all of the groups in attendance, including Freedom Ohio and nearly a dozen other leading organizations, agreed to work together to talk to Ohio voters about why marriage matters and strengthen our coalition in the months ahead, reserving judgment on the timing of a ballot initiative until a clear pathway to victory could be determined and carried out.

“Ohio families deserve to win marriage as soon as possible. And our national partners have won marriage equality in 13 jurisdictions. We are putting together a strong, honest coalition and a responsible plan to win,” said Elyzabeth Holford, Executive Director of Equality Ohio.  “We intend to win and will do everything necessary to secure fairness for same-sex couples and their families.”

“We are committed to winning marriage in Ohio as soon as possible, and to developing the kind of robust campaign that has helped us achieve historic victories across the country,” said Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director for Freedom to Marry.  “What we need to do now is engage in the real work to increase public support so we can win on the ballot—in 2016, or if possible sooner.”

“Ian James must have attended a different meeting than the rest of us,” said Marty Rouse, National Field Director for the Human Rights Campaign.  “Representatives from 11 state and national organizations participated in today’s meeting.  Ten of them came away with a clear understanding that we would refrain from deciding on timing until it was responsible to do so.  We’re perplexed as to how Freedom Ohio came away with a different understanding.”

At the invitation of Equality Ohio, representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio, national ACLU, the Equality Federation, Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, the American Unity Fund and Gill Action convened for today’s conversations to discuss strategy, timing and a plan to win marriage in Ohio.

Contact:
Elyzabeth Holford - Executive Director, Equality Ohio.