Rochester Unite For Marriage Rally Slated for Monday, April 27

Rochester, NY will host Unite for Marriage rally April 27

Rochester, NY-- This year, hundreds of local organizers across the country are working to plan events in communities large and small, conservative and liberal, and in all corners of the country to show that America is ready for marriage equality. Once again, Rochester, NY will be on that map. On Monday, April 27 a coalition of local organizations will be sponsoring a rally in front of the Kenneth Keating Federal Building, 100 State Street, Rochester, NY  14614 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm to call for equal protections for all citizens of the United States.

The national strategy to win marriage for same-sex couples has always focused on a final victory at the U.S. Supreme Court. In the past year alone, there have been 65 rulings in favor of marriage for same-sex couples -- clearly demonstrating that the country is ready and that the age-old arguments against the freedom to marry simply don’t survive judicial review.

Finally, the question of whether same-sex couples everywhere can marry will have its day before our nation’s highest court. In January, the Court granted review of cases from four states - Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee – with oral arguments to be held this week. This historic moment follows years of steady momentum, from increasing public support, to four referendum victories in 2012, to even the Court itself, when it denied petitions in five marriage cases in October 2014, thereby allowing the freedom to marry to take effect in 11 states.

Local advocates are raising their voices once more to proclaim it’s time for a national resolution by the Supreme Court when nearly 72 percent of Americans live in a state that grants marriage to same-sex couples. There are now just 13 states without the freedom to marry, and those families continue to face harm and discrimination every single day.

Scott Fearing, Executive Director of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley says when it comes to earning a living, having a place to call home, and sharing in public accommodations, everyone should be treated fairly under the law. He added, “All hardworking people deserve the right to marry and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for their families. Marriage provides that stability for all our working families.”

This event is sponsored in part by The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, The MOCHA Center, Pride at Work, AFL-CIO, Marriage Equality USA-Rochester, Empire State Pride Agenda and New York Civil Liberties Union among others.