New Campaign For Marriage Equality In The South

The scope of gay marriage across the country is changing. 

 

The most recent example is an Arkansas judge striking down the state’s ban last week.

 

And the Human Rights Campaign hopes to keep the ball rolling throughout the south with almost $10 million over the next three years. The goal is to get people talking about the issue, which they hope will lead to changing the law.

 

“First and foremost this campaign is about changing hearts and minds, and you change hearts and minds by having conversations within the faith and religious community, within our institutions, our universities and hospitals, as well as the work place. But that also means conversations at city halls and in the state house,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign.

 

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has a lawsuit challenging Alabama’s ban on gay marriage, is glad to have the support of the national group. 

 

“It’s wonderful, it’s good news, and sometimes I think it’s a longtime coming. Some of us have been doing this work here for quite some time. We’re happy that people both here and outside the south are waking up and recognizing that we shouldn’t have two americas when it comes to LGBT rights, we should have one,” said David Danielli, SPLC’s Deputy Legal Director.

 

Republican State Senator Dick Brewbaker says that he doesn’t expect the state’s stance on marriage equality to change anytime soon though.

 

“I think marriage equality is a misnomer for starters. What you’re talking about is gay marriage. And I think that on the constitutional amendment prohibiting it in alabama, 81% of the voters voted for an amendment that banned it. So I would say the people of Alabama don’t want it,” said Sen. Brewbaker.