Tonight's Rally for Marriage Equality at LA City Hall

United for Marriage Los Angeles:
Light the Way to Justice!
Public Rally and Candlelight Vigil for Marriage Equality
Los Angeles City Hall . Sunday, March 24, 2013 . 6:30 pm

P R E S S   R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2013


Tonight's Rally for Marriage Equality at LA City Hall
Mirrors Growing Public Support of Same-Sex Marriage
Public Rally in Downtown LA Comes on Eve
of U.S. Supreme Court Cases on Same-Sex Marriage


Los Angeles--To see just how far U.S. public opinion has shifted in favor of same-sex marriage, you need look no further than the iconic west entrance of Los Angeles City Hall tonight.

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in two same-sex marriage cases, supporters will gather for a rally and candlelight vigil to demonstrate public support for marriage equality.

"The growing list of groups and organizations supporting tonight's marriage equality rally in Los Angeles is a reflection of the shift in public opinion," says Jane Wishon, a self-described "straight, married, Christian mother of three," who is an elder in her Presbyterian Church and serves on the board of Marriage Equality USA.

The Los Angeles rally is sponsored by United for Marriage Los Angeles, a broad coalition of 25 organizations, representing faith communities, including The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, churches, temples, and clergy groups, a labor union, parent support groups, Latino and Asian service organizations, LGBT rights coalitions, community-based advocacy groups, and families and individuals who support equality and fairness for all people.

Public opinion polls in 1996 showed 25% of Americans supported civil marriage rights for LGBT couples. A recent 2013 Washington Post poll shows public support has climbed to an all-time high of 58%.

"A decade ago, this was controversial," notes Wishon, while surveying the City Hall site in final preparations for tonight's rally. "Who would have guessed that marriage equality would be the issue that brings us together?"

Groups supporting tonight's "Rally and Candlelight Vigil for Marriage Equality" at LA City Hall include: ANSWER Coalition LA, API Equality LA, California Faith for Equality, The Center Long Beach, Christ Chapel of the Valley, Congregation Kol Ami, The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Equality California, Family Equality Council, Founders Metropolitan Community Church of LA,  GetEQUAL, GLAAD, Good As You, Human Rights Campaign, LA Gay & Lesbian Center, Latino Equality Alliance, Los Angeles Queer Interfaith Clergy Council, Love Honor Cherish, The New Organizing Institute, PFLAG National, PFLAG-Los Angeles, PFLAG-Pasadena, The Task Force, Transgender Law Center, UNITE HERE Local 11.


You will find additional details about the United for Marriage Los Angeles event at: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedforMarriageLosAngeles?ref=ts&fref=ts


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR TO ARRANGE MEDIA INTERVIEWS, CONTACT:
Ari Gutierrez |  communications@LatinoEqualityAlliance.com  | 213-220-5530
Jim Birkitt      | JimBirkitt@aol.com                                                      | 310 272-3046


#  #  #