The Boston-based group that won equal marriage rights in Massachusetts and Connecticut said Tuesday it intends to fight for gay marriage rights in the other four New England states and predicted success by 2012.Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders announced the campaign on the fifth anniversary of the Massachusetts court ruling that opened up marriage to gays and lesbians. GLAD dubbed the campaign “Six by Twelve.”
“We can make New England a marriage equality zone by strategically combining existing legal, electoral, and on-the-ground know-how to fast-track marriage in every New England state,” said GLAD Executive Director Lee Swislow.
“By 2012, we not only can have marriage equality throughout New England, we can have a road map for the rest of the country.”
GLAD said it would achieve this goal through litigation and by working with statewide equality groups and with MassEquality, which lobbied politicians and led the fight against two bids over three years to void gay marriage through constitutional amendment.
“The route to marriage equality looks different in each state—not every state is ripe for a marriage lawsuit like Massachusetts and Connecticut,” said Swislow.
“Through our collaboration with MassEquality, we can add value to the state equality groups. To the state groups’ local knowledge, grassroots experience and organizing strength, GLAD brings legal and communications expertise and MassEquality brings proven experience in legislative, political, and electoral strategy. This combination will accelerate the pace to marriage equality.” Swislow said.
In Connecticut, GLAD teamed up with Love Makes A Family to achieve marriage equality.
In the remaining four states, GLAD said it would work with Equality Maine, Marriage Equality Rhode Island, Vermont Freedom to Marry and a variety of allies in New Hampshire.
GLAD’s announcement comes on the heels of Proposition 8 in California, a voter-led initiative that amended that state’s constitution to end same-sex marriage there.
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