PRESS RELEASES

2008
There are no current press releases at this time for 2008.

2007
There are no current press releases at this time for 2007.

2006

For Immediate Release (Valid only if used on or before June 3, 2006)

CONTACT: Molly McKay
Media Director, Marriage Equality USA
(510) 332-0872
molly@marriageequality.org

Marriage Equality USA Hosts Coast to Coast Bridge Walks in Support of Same-Sex Marriage in Response to Renewed Efforts in U.S. Senate to Pass Discriminatory Federal Marriage Amendment

United States: On Saturday, June 3, 2006, Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) and Marriage Equality New York (MENY) are hosting simultaneous walks across the Brooklyn Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

"On June 5th, anti-equality forces in the US Senate are again bringing the discriminatory Federal Marriage Constitutional Amendment for a vote. We will gather together the diverse array of those in favor of liberty, justice and marriage equality to redouble our outreach and educational efforts. The Coast-to-Coast Bridge Walks will raise visibility and educate fair-minded Americans about the 1400 protections that come with civil marriage and the harms that befall same-sex couples because of marriage discrimination," said Davina Kotulski, MEUSA Executive Director.

In San Francisco, Jennifer Schumaker, a lesbian mother of four and active church member, will join the Golden Gate Bridge walk to complete the last 5 miles of her 500 mile "Walk for Togetherness" in support of LGBT inclusion. "I have seen how sharing my personal story as a lesbian parent with the hundreds of people I have encountered on my Walk is helping more Americans realize that these divisive efforts to restrict marriage only weaken our country," said Schumaker. "We all have a responsibility to help bridge the gap between the LGBT community and our basic civil rights."

The San Francisco event will begin at 9 a.m. at the West end of Crissy Field and a cake reception/press conference is scheduled for noon at the same location. Speakers include Assembly Member Mark Leno, MEUSA Executive Director Davina Kotulski, San Francisco Police Commissioner Theresa Sparks, Rev. Mark Wilson, SF married couples and others. The reception will include a telephone call across the country to speak with our supporters marching in New York City on the Brooklyn Bridge.

The event is free and open to the public. There is only parking at Crissy Field, but there will be shuttles for those unable to walk the incline to the Golden Gate Bridge. Individuals interested in helping MEUSA raise funds at the Golden Gate Bridge Walk can register at www.firstgiving.com/meusa or donate at www.firstgiving.com/marriageequalityusa.

###

About Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA)

Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) is a national grassroots non-profit organization devoted to ending marriage discrimination and to securing the freedom and the right of same-sex couples to enter into legally recognized civil marriages with all the related federal and state benefits and responsibilities.
www.marriageequality.org

For Immediate Release (Valid only if used on or before June 3, 2006.)

Contact:
Walk for Togetherness
Jennifer Schumaker, Founder
http://www.walkfortogetherness.org/
cell phone: 760-877-4396

Walk for Togetherness is on the road!

Walk Launch:
Saturday, April 8th, 2006, 9:00 a.m.
San Diego, California

Walk Finale:
Saturday, June 3, 2006, 12:00 noon
San Francisco, California

California: On April 8th, Jennifer Schumaker, writer, lesbian, and single soccer mom of four, started walking over 500 miles, from San Diego to San Francisco. "In many ways, it is easier to walk 500 miles than to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in America," says Schumaker.

By walking, Jennifer wishes to encourage dialogue that recognizes that people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) and their families, friends, and allies are fully interconnected. In essence, Jennifer is working to bridge the communications gap between straight and LGBT people. She believes that our private and public discourse can and should continue to grow in reflecting that all of us --LGBT and straight-- are in one another's families, schools, and work places.

California Assemblymember Mark Leno, principal author of the 2005 "Gender Neutral Marriage Bill," San Francisco Police Commissioner Theresa Sparks, first transgender police commissioner in America, and Dr. Davina Kotulski, Executive Director of Marriage Equality U.S.A. and author of Why You Should Give a Damn About Gay Marriage will appear at the Walk's conclusion in San Francisco.

Plans for a march for marriage equality across the Golden Gate Bridge are being finalized by Marriage Equality USA. This march would occur on June 3rd which is the day Jennifer arrives in SF and Jennifer has been invited to lead this march. This coincides with the New York City march for marriage equality across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Jennifer is in the middle of her walk and is in the Santa Barbara area as of today. There are many stories that have emerged in connection with Jennifer's walk. Please call her directly for on-the-road information and to find out about some of these inspirational stories. Jennifer Schumaker (760) 877-4396 (cell)

"One Mom, Two Feet, 500 Miles: A Walk for Togetherness" is endorsed by over twenty individuals and groups whose missions inspired and reflect the Vision of Walk for Togetherness. Listed are her endorsers below:

International:
Love Exiles

National:
Family Pride Coalition, Marriage Equality USA, National Center For Lesbian Rights,The Trevor Project

Regional:
Lavender Lens Magazine, UPDATE newspaper, Western Region Scouting For All

California:
Equality California, Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg, Senator Christine Kehoe, Assemblymember Mark Leno, LGBT Caucus of the CA State Assembly, Senator Carole Migden, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California

San Diego and San Diego County:
Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Christ Chapel North Park, Ebony Pride, Family Matters, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, Gay/Lesbian/Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Jewish Pride ("J* Pride"), Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center ("The Center"), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride ("SD LGBT Pride"), National Organization for Women (NOW), Parents Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Transgender Community Coalition

###

About Walk for Togetherness

Walk for Togetherness is an original venture. Walk for Togetherness is not yet incorporated, and anticipates achieving 501c3 tax status by December 31, 2006. Until that time, funds are administered by the Board of Trustees, Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 2324 Miller Avenue, Escondido, California 92029.

Walk for Togetherness's first event, "One Mom, Two Feet, 500 Miles: A Walk for Togetherness" is endorsed by over twenty groups and individuals, as listed in the section above. Descriptions of endorsers' missions and links to their web sites can be found on the Walk for Togetherness website.

For more information: http://www.walkfortogetherness.org

(This press release can be used up to and including June 3, 2006)