Organizations Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Loving Decision that Ended Ban on Interracial Marriage and Recognize Need to End Similar Ban

Hayward, CA: “Forty years ago, you couldn’t marry someone of a different race, and today you can’t marry someone of the same sex. For interracial couples like my own Mom and Dad, times have truly changed, and I look forward to the day when all Americans can marry the person they love. On this 40th anniversary of the US Supreme Court's Loving v Virginia decision that granted interracial couples the freedom to marry, I have great hope that soon marriage equality will become a reality for me and John, just as it did for my parents," said Stuart Gaffney, Marriage Equality USA’s API Outreach Director. Stuart and his partner of 20 years, John Lewis, are plaintiffs in the California marriage case for same-sex couples, currently before the California Supreme Court.

On June 12th, 1967 the Supreme Court ended the exclusion of interracial couples from marriage with their decision entitled Loving v. Virginia. Before that date, states had the right to physically separate couples, deny recognition of interracial relationships and punish interracial couples with imprisonment of up to ten years.

“While we recognize that our histories are different, our struggle for equality is the same. The Loving decision is a part of the civil rights movement that is too often forgotten and its linkages to the similar struggles of same-sex couples today are important to recognize. So we are very pleased to be gathering with a diverse group of community organizations to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this landmark decision,” said Patricia Kevena Fili of the Lighthouse Community Center. This celebration will take place at the Lighthouse Community Center, 1217 A Street in Hayward on Sunday, June 10th from 2-5 pm. A press conference to kick of the event will be held at 2pm.

“Marriage equality is often seen as an issue affecting adults, but it is really an issue that impacts children tremendously,” said Aimee Fisher of Our Family Coalition. “It matters to the children being raised by same-sex parents to have legal protection and be accepted in their community. Domestic partnerships don’t provide the same rights, dignity or respect that marriage does.”

The Loving Day celebration is free to the public and family friendly. The day’s events will include screenings of films highlighting the struggles for marriage equality, interactive story telling activities, and a panel discussion. Also featured at this event is the Marriage Equality Movement Family Story Quilt, a project of Marriage Equality USA that intersperses photos and stories from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) families and allies. “The quilt reflects the diversity of our families and communities, as well as the urgency of this marriage equality issue,” said Maya Scott Chung, MEUSA Parents Outreach Director and Story Quilt Curator. “The Lighthouse is honored to house this important monument and host this important event”, explains Kevena Fili.. “It is a testament to the struggle of courage and a reminder that we have work to do to achieve full equality.”’

>> This is an official press release from the National Press Center of Marriage Equality USA, a national organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation.