Marriage supporters gather to discuss freedom to marry in Mississippi
May 14, 2015
Last night, on Wednesday, May 13, supporters of the freedom to marry gathered in Jackson, Mississippi to discuss the future of marriage in the Magnolia State. A panel of experts and same-sex couples discussed their experiences and the best practices for moving advocacy forward in Mississippi.
This Town Hall Meeting was held just weeks after the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in marriage cases from Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, and Ohio on April 28. A ruling is expected by late June. Read more about the arguments here.
Brittany Rowell and Jessica Harbuck of Pearl, Mississippi explained the difficulties of their marriage not being respected in their home state:
We have a lot of legal bumps that we're going to hit; a lot of stuff that we had not considered like something as simple as getting the social security cards changed and things like that. What kind of backlash we're going to get. Yes, we will get a blanket decision and you get a wedding. You get this marriage, but what's going to come after.
Freedom to Marry was honored to partner with Campaign for Southern Equality and the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi in hosting this Town Hall. See quotes and pictures from the event below:
Great group of panelists in Jackson talking about the pathway to marriage in Mississippi. #lgbtsouth pic.twitter.com/i7wJwnVQhG
— Southern Equality (@CSElive) May 13, 2015
"I certainly believe SCOTUS will resolve the issue of marriage in June." Civil rights atty Rob McDuff pic.twitter.com/4a7bFaCCD8
— Southern Equality (@CSElive) May 13, 2015
Miss. frequently gets written off, but LGBT Mississippians are good about coming together to help each other. pic.twitter.com/cnfxT6LGo7
— Southern Equality (@CSElive) May 13, 2015
Great turnout at the Why Marriage Matters Townhall in Jackson with @CSElive and @freedomtomarry! #lgbtsouth pic.twitter.com/bk0KYMFDCo
— ACLU of Mississippi (@ACLU_MS) May 13, 2015
In Mississippi the overwhelming majority, 59%, of people under 30 support the freedom to marry.
— Southern Equality (@CSElive) May 13, 2015
"Part of what's helped us move so quickly on the issue of marriage is the narrative. Everyone understands love." -@jbeachferrara
— Southern Equality (@CSElive) May 13, 2015