Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) will begin the New Year with several changes to its Board of Directors. Dianne R. Phillips will serve as the new board President, Sandy Anderson will be Vice President, Rick Yurko will be Treasurer, and Chuck Latovich will be Clerk.

All are board veterans who have helped to grow GLAD’s community networks and secure funding for the organization’s groundbreaking legal work.  President Dianne Phillips has served on the GLAD board for six years, has previously served as the board’s Vice President, and is partner in the Boston office of Holland & Knight LLP. She co-chairs the firm’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Affinity Group, whose mission is to develop and promote GLBT lawyers and professionals.  She is also co-chair of the Boston office Diversity Committee, a member of the firm-wide Diversity Council, and a recipient of the 2011 Top Women in Law award for her diversity efforts.  She brings with her 20-plus years of expertise.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of GLAD,” says Phillips. “Our Transgender Rights Project and youth outreach initiatives are hard at work educating and empowering our communities, and our two DOMA cases are at the forefront of the fight for marriage equality. Momentum is on our side.”

GLAD Executive Director Lee Swislow expects GLAD to grow under Dianne’s leadership. “GLAD’s Board has historically had strong leadership, and this slate of officers continues in that tradition, helping GLAD maintain our leadership role in achieving equality for all members of the LGBT community and those living with HIV/AIDS,” says Swislow.

Vice President Sandy Anderson is the founder of Sandy Anderson & Associates, which provides mediation, consulting and coaching services to individuals and organizations. Her career has centered on helping clients, employees and organizations identify and achieve goals, especially during times of great change. Her previous roles have included Vice President of Professional Services at IDX Systems Corporation, an innovative provider of health care IT solutions, and General Manager, Commercial Marketing for the Americas at GE Healthcare.

Treasurer Richard J. Yurko is the founder and former Managing Shareholder of Yurko, Salvesen & Remz, P.C, a business litigation boutique based in Boston. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College, and he received his J.D. with honors from Harvard Law School, where he served as the Senior Projects Editor for the Harvard Civil Rights - Civil Liberties Law Review. Rich and his husband of seven years, Rob Leary, live in Ogunquit, Maine, where they own The Morning Dove B&B and Katie’s Restaurant on Shore Road. Rich and Rob have three grown sons.

Clerk Chuck Latovich has managed and implemented diversity communication strategies, designed and conducted corporate training in diversity issues, and consulted on diversity strategies and goals. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in education from Boston University.

Photo: boxes of signed petitions supporting the marriage ballot initiative

Augusta – Today, advocates for allowing same-sex couples to legally marry in Maine announced plans for a Citizens Initiative to enact a marriage equality law, delivering more than 105,000 signatures from Maine voters who want the issue on the November 2012 ballot to the Secretary of State’s office.

The announcement follows two years of outreach and conversations with Mainers about the freedom to marry, statewide polling showing steadily increasing support for allowing same-sex couples to marry – which now stands at 54 percent – and intensive field organizing in preparation for the campaign.

“The number of signatures we gathered and the thoughtful conversations we’ve been having with voters tell us that Mainers are eager to speak on this question again,” said Betsy Smith, executive director of EqualityMaine. “Our polling shows a 54% majority of support for same-sex marriage in Maine. Many Mainers have changed their minds and want a chance to bring equality and fairness to our state.” 

“I grew up in Maine and always considered myself a conservative guy, but I have taken a journey toward supporting marriage for gays and lesbians,” said Pastor Michael Gray of Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church, the original signer of the Citizens Initiative petition. “I really struggled with the issue of same-sex marriage, but through study, prayer, and patience, I can gratefully say that my faith now informs me differently.”

“Having grown up in an era where homosexuality was not often discussed, I had never given much thought to whether gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to marry, but in the past couple years I’ve learned why it’s so important to them,” said Janet Spencer of Glenburn. “I came to see that, if gay and lesbian couples share the same love and commitment that my husband and I have for one another, there simply is no alternative to being able to marry the person you love.” 

The title of the proposed Citizens Initiative is “An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom.”  The proposed ballot question wording submitted to the Secretary of State in June of last year reads as follows: “Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples, and that protects religious freedom by ensuring that no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs?”

“Like hundreds of other volunteers who spent the last few months gathering signatures for this initiative, I have seen firsthand how talking to Mainers about same-sex marriage is helping people to reconsider their views,” said Lucie Bauer, a volunteer from West Rockport who lives with her partner of nearly 20 years. “By talking to our neighbors about why marriage matters to loving couples like the two of us, we have the power to change hearts and minds.”

The coalition working to pass the initiative includes EqualityMaine, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, the Maine Women’s Lobby and Engage Maine. An Advisory Committee comprised of a diverse group of allies, including labor, prominent clergy and Republican leaders from all over the state, is in formation. The Dirigo Family PAC, the coalition’s political action committee, has also been formed.

“Loving, committed couples in Maine want to marry for the same reason that their friends and neighbors do: to build and share a life with the person they love,” said Lee Swislow, executive director of GLAD. “All Maine families deserve the security and legal protections of marriage that help make this possible, and a majority of Maine voters now realize this.”

“We can protect religious liberty and fulfill the constitutional promise for equality under the law for all people by supporting the freedom to marry,” said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the ACLU of Maine. “Discrimination, against anyone, runs counter to the Constitution and to the Maine way of life.”

“Our coalition gathered nearly twice the 57,000 signatures needed to put our question on the ballot,” said Ben Dudley, executive director of Engage Maine. “The enthusiasm that we encountered during the signature gathering tells us that most Mainers are ready to say ‘I do’ to supporting the freedom to marry for their gay and lesbian neighbors, friends, family members and co-workers.”

In 2009, Maine was the first state to pass marriage through the legislature and have it signed by the governor. Following that historic win, opponents put marriage out to a People’s Veto. On Election Day, just 16,500 voters blocked the freedom to marry for all Maine families. Supporters of the freedom to marry lost but gained thousands of new donors, a base of volunteers who are personally invested in winning the freedom to marry, and a new set of strategic partners.

“The most important thing we learned from our experience in 2009 is that we needed to share our personal stories about why marriage matters directly with our friends and neighbors in Maine,” said Laura Harper, director of public policy for the Maine Women’s Lobby. “Now, it is time to let those voters speak, and we are confident they are ready to support the freedom to marry for all loving, committed couples in Maine.”

For more information visit WhyMarriageMattersMaine.org.

Augusta – Today, advocates for allowing same-sex couples to legally marry in Maine announced plans for a Citizens Initiative to enact a marriage equality law, delivering more than 105,000 signatures from Maine voters who want the issue on the November 2012 ballot to the Secretary of State’s office.

The announcement follows two years of outreach and conversations with Mainers about the freedom to marry, statewide polling showing steadily increasing support for allowing same-sex couples to marry – which now stands at 54 percent – and intensive field organizing in preparation for the campaign.

“The number of signatures we gathered and the thoughtful conversations we’ve been having with voters tell us that Mainers are eager to speak on this question again,” said Betsy Smith, executive director of EqualityMaine. “Our polling shows a 54% majority of support for same-sex marriage in Maine. Many Mainers have changed their minds and want a chance to bring equality and fairness to our state.” 

“I grew up in Maine and always considered myself a conservative guy, but I have taken a journey toward supporting marriage for gays and lesbians,” said Pastor Michael Gray of Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church, the original signer of the Citizens Initiative petition. “I really struggled with the issue of same-sex marriage, but through study, prayer, and patience, I can gratefully say that my faith now informs me differently.”

“Having grown up in an era where homosexuality was not often discussed, I had never given much thought to whether gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to marry, but in the past couple years I’ve learned why it’s so important to them,” said Janet Spencer of Glenburn. “I came to see that, if gay and lesbian couples share the same love and commitment that my husband and I have for one another, there simply is no alternative to being able to marry the person you love.” 

The title of the proposed Citizens Initiative is “An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom.”  The proposed ballot question wording submitted to the Secretary of State in June of last year reads as follows: “Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples, and that protects religious freedom by ensuring that no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs?”

“Like hundreds of other volunteers who spent the last few months gathering signatures for this initiative, I have seen firsthand how talking to Mainers about same-sex marriage is helping people to reconsider their views,” said Lucie Bauer, a volunteer from West Rockport who lives with her partner of nearly 20 years. “By talking to our neighbors about why marriage matters to loving couples like the two of us, we have the power to change hearts and minds.”

The coalition working to pass the initiative includes EqualityMaine, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, the Maine Women’s Lobby and Engage Maine. An Advisory Committee comprised of a diverse group of allies, including labor, prominent clergy and Republican leaders from all over the state, is in formation. The Dirigo Family PAC, the coalition’s political action committee, has also been formed.

“Loving, committed couples in Maine want to marry for the same reason that their friends and neighbors do: to build and share a life with the person they love,” said Lee Swislow, executive director of GLAD. “All Maine families deserve the security and legal protections of marriage that help make this possible, and a majority of Maine voters now realize this.”

“We can protect religious liberty and fulfill the constitutional promise for equality under the law for all people by supporting the freedom to marry,” said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the ACLU of Maine. “Discrimination, against anyone, runs counter to the Constitution and to the Maine way of life.”

“Our coalition gathered nearly twice the 57,000 signatures needed to put our question on the ballot,” said Ben Dudley, executive director of Engage Maine. “The enthusiasm that we encountered during the signature gathering tells us that most Mainers are ready to say ‘I do’ to supporting the freedom to marry for their gay and lesbian neighbors, friends, family members and co-workers.”

In 2009, Maine was the first state to pass marriage through the legislature and have it signed by the governor. Following that historic win, opponents put marriage out to a People’s Veto. On Election Day, just 16,500 voters blocked the freedom to marry for all Maine families. Supporters of the freedom to marry lost but gained thousands of new donors, a base of volunteers who are personally invested in winning the freedom to marry, and a new set of strategic partners.

“The most important thing we learned from our experience in 2009 is that we needed to share our personal stories about why marriage matters directly with our friends and neighbors in Maine,” said Laura Harper, director of public policy for the Maine Women’s Lobby. “Now, it is time to let those voters speak, and we are confident they are ready to support the freedom to marry for all loving, committed couples in Maine.”

For more information visit WhyMarriageMattersMaine.org.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, whose lawsuits brought marriage equality to Massachusetts & Connecticut, has been chosen to receive a $100,000 grant from the Boston Foundation to expand its youth outreach.

The work will include addressing child welfare issues, promoting the Legal InfoLine to youth, collaborating with youth organizations, and seeking litigation opportunities to address discrimination against LGBTQ youth. According to the Boston Foundation, GLAD was chosen through “a highly competitive process whereby a limited number of organizations have been selected.”
 
“We are pleased to support GLAD’s continuing work to engage LGBTQ youth, their families, and the community organizations best positioned to support these young people. GLAD’s work is a critical part of ensuring social justice for all in the Commonwealth,” said Paul Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation.

Vickie Henry, the GLAD attorney charged with leading this effort, says, “We are thrilled that the Boston Foundation is supporting this vital work.  LGBTQ youth are coming out at a younger age and are particularly vulnerable.  We as a community need to support them, including by educating youth on their rights and, when necessary, bringing suit to make sure they are protected. We have been and will continue to reach out to organizations working with youth to look for opportunities to leverage GLAD’s unique legal expertise to create a just, inclusive and affirming environment for LGBTQ youth.”

The following is a joint statement from Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, and Freedom to Marry:

We write to respond to a news report from Canada that a lawyer in the current government has taken a position in a trial-level divorce proceeding that a same-sex couple’s marriage is not valid because the members of the couple were not Canada residents at the time that they married, and the law of their home jurisdiction did not permit them to marry at the time.

No one’s marriage has been invalidated or is likely to be invalidated. The position taken by one government lawyer in a divorce is not itself precedential.  No court has accepted this view and there is no reason to believe that either Canada’s courts or its Parliament would agree with this position, which no one has asserted before during the eight years that same-sex couples have had the freedom to marry in Canada.

Canada permits non-residents to marry and thousands of non-resident same-sex couples have married there since Canada first began recognizing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in 2003. Indeed, Canada’s Parliament codified the equal right to marry for same-sex couples in 2005.

The message for same-sex couples married in Canada remains the same as it is for same-sex couples validly married here in the United States: take every precaution you can to protect your relationship with legal documents such as powers of attorney and adoptions, as you may travel to jurisdictions that don’t respect your legal relationship. There is no reason to suggest that Canadian marriages of same-sex couples are in jeopardy, or to advocate that people try to marry again elsewhere, as that could cause these couples unnecessary complications, anxiety, and expense.

Media Contacts:

Erik Olvera
Communications Director
NCLR
Office: 415.392.6257 x324
Mobile: 415.994.3242
EOlvera@NCLRights.org

Jonathan Adams
Public Information Officer
Lambda Legal
Office: 212.809.8585 X267
Mobile: 646.752.3251
JAdams@LambdaLegal.org

Carisa Cunningham
Director of Public Affairs and Education
GLAD
Office: 617.426.1350
Mobile: 617.447.6500
ccunningham.glad.org

Robyn Shepherd
Media Relations Associate
American Civil Liberties Union
Office: 212.519-7829
Media@ACLU.org

Angela Dallara
Communications Associate
Freedom to Marry
Office: 212.851.8418
Mobile: 646-430-3925
Angela@FreedomtoMarry.org