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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
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RETURN TO > NEWS > HOME
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Deb Weill
202-861-0017 (office)
202-725-5894 (cell)
Sam Sinnett
314 432-1744 (office & fax)
314 477-5798 (cell)
June 30, 2005
DignityUSA Applauds Spain’s Legalization of Gay Marriage
Calls on Americans to Consider Value of Same-Sex Marriages to All of Society
Washington, DC – The leadership of DignityUSA applauded the Spanish parliament’s vote today legalizing gay marriage. This ruling permits Spanish same-sex couples to marry, adopt children and inherit property. Gay couples in Spain will be allowed to marry within the next two weeks, when the law is published in the official government registry. The Netherlands and Belgium also recognize gay marriage nationwide, and Canada is expected to do so by the end of July if the Senate passes a bill already passed by the House of Commons, as it is predicted to do.
DignityUSA continues to be a strong advocate for same-sex civil marriage
in
the United States and has called on the Catholic Church to bless all
same-gender families. “The people of Spain, many of them Catholics,
clearly
recognize the rights of same-sex couples to marry and also realize the
many
positive contributions these loving couples and their families make to
their
overall communities," stated Deb Weill, Executive Director of
DignityUSA. “Many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender(GLBT)
couples have
had stable relationships for many years and contribute to their communities
in innumerable ways through their employment, volunteerism, charitable
giving
and serving as great role models for young people. Where given the
opportunity, GLBT people are also active in church communities as Eucharistic
ministers, lectors, and parish council leaders in Spain. This is certainly
the case in America as well,” Weill continued.
“Same-sex marriages will only strengthen the institution of marriage,” added DignityUSA President Sam Sinnett. “Thousands of same-sex couples are already providing loving and nurturing environments they have created. Our straight allies and the many who have only recently come to support same-sex marriage know that extending civil rights to those previously barred from them enriches all of society. We are thrilled to see this historic day arrive and we rejoice with the people of Spain,” added Sinnett.
DignityUSA is the nation's foremost organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their families, friends and supporters. Founded in 1969, it is an independent nonprofit organization with members and chapters across the country.
DignityUSA works for full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender people in the life of the Church and Society. www.dignityusa.org
Debbie Weill
Executive Director
DignityUSA
executivedirector@dignityusa.org
202-861-0017 phone
202-429-9808 fax
1500 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 8
Washington, DC NW 20005-1894
