Freedom To Marry - Valentine's Week February 9-15, 2004
For more than 35 years, the predominantly GLBT Metropolitan Community Churches have worked to make legal marriage rights available to all people, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons.

Every year, MCC churches perform more than 6000 same-sex weddings -- weddings that are recognized by God and by our GLBT communities, but not by the civil authorities.

The reality is that many nations of the world -- including Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, and the Netherlands -- have moved far beyond the United States by providing legal marriage benefits to same-sex couples. And this past year, U.S. citizens scored a major victory when the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in that state.

Part of my interest in this cause grows out of 35 years of activism on behalf of human rights: I want to see all people receive equality under the law, including the marriage laws.

That's why I'm inviting GLBT couples to advance the cause of same-sex marriage rights by taking part in same-sex marriage actions during Valentine's Week, Feb. 9-15, 2004. This year, a wide array of GLBT and GLBT-friendly organizations, including DontAmend.com, HRC, PFLAG, NGLTF, ACLU, LLEGO, Marriage Equality, Freedom To Marry, Lambda Legal and many others are promoting special marriage events throughout Valentine's Week.

One of the most effective things you can do is to go to municipal offices and courthouses during Valentine's Week to apply for marriage licenses -- and to call attention to the discrimination inherent in the current marriage laws.

How can you participate? Simply follow the action steps below to join me in this important annual GLBT event -- and make a difference in your own community. -- Rev. Troy D. Perry, MCC Founder and Moderator

If you would like King of Peace, MCC to actively participate in "Freedom to Marry," please contact Kay Wade at 727-323-5857 x-206.