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Atticus Circle Urges Supporters of Gay Marriage to Continue to Fight...

This past Tuesday, ballot measures denying basic rights to gay Americans passed in Arizona, Florida, California and Arkansas. Anne S. Wynne, founder of Austin-based Atticus Circle, an organization for straight Americans supporting gay rights, urges supporters to continue to fight for equality on the marriage issues - particularly for those children with two mothers and two fathers who will be adversely impacted by the new laws.

Often overlooked in the debate about gay marriage is the impact marriage inequality has on the children of lesbian and gay couples, Wynne said. How can the children in my family have rights that other children in this country are denied It is time for us straight families and allies to stand up and stand with our gay and lesbian friends, who are being systematically denied the most basic rights and recognition - the very things we, in the heterosexual world, take for granted day after day.

The impact of the 2008 election is still to be determined, but Wynne is concerned with California and Arkansas in particular. California'ss Proposition 8 places the status of approximately 18,000 gay marriages, legally performed earlier this year, in limbo. The ballot measure in Arkansas prevents unmarried couples, regardless of sexual orientation, from fostering and adopting children. Opponents of that measure, including Gov. Mike Beebe, expressed concerns that it would negatively impact the state'ss foster care system.

Despite the outcome of the elections, Wynne sees hope for equality in those who did turn out to vote against the ballot measures.

While it was disappointing to see the ballot measures pass, it was encouraging to see that millions of voters in those states stood up for the rights of gay Americans to marry and to adopt children, Wynne said. We recognize that this is part of an ongoing campaign to win equal rights for gay Americans. Connecticut and Massachusetts allow same-sex couples the freedom to marry, and we believe that we will one day secure that essential freedom for all Americans. We invite fair-minded straight Americans to join us in that effort.

Wynne said Atticus Circle will continue its ongoing education efforts as ballot measure opponents weigh legal challenges. This civil rights struggle rooted in love is far from over. We must use this latest effort to discriminate as a call to action to make sure this never happens again.

One current initiative, the Fifty Friends Forward project, is encouraging gay rights supporters to make friends and family aware of the Fine By Me T-Shirt Project - which allows participants to literally wear the proclamation, Gay Fine By Me. Atticus Circle also coordinated Seven Straight Nights, a series of vigils and gatherings in support of gay rights across the United States, in conjunction with Soulforce this past September.

For more information about Atticus Circle, please visit atticuscircle.org.

ABOUT ATTICUS CIRCLE

Atticus Circle educates and mobilizes fair-minded straight people to advance equal rights for LGBT partners, parents, and their children. To accomplish our goal, Atticus Circle will focus its efforts on education and policy development.

Education

Atticus Circle will provide information about the rights of parents and partners denied on the basis of sexual orientation. We seek to create cultural and attitudinal change by helping people understand the unique challenges and discrimination same gender couples and their families face, and by encouraging acceptance of all families and partnerships.

Policy Development

Atticus Circle will conduct research, publish materials, and work with businesses and policy institutions to develop ideas and policies that foster equal rights for same gender partners and their families.

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