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National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force salutes U.S. Sen. Russell Feingold for supporting marriage
equality
'Taking an unequivocal stand is the right
thing to do, morally and politically.'
Task Force to honor Feingold with National
Leadership Award
WASHINGTON, April 4 — In a statement released today,
United States Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) announced that he
supports giving same-sex couples the freedom to marry. According
to the statement, Feingold said over the weekend that he
strongly opposes the proposed civil unions and marriage ban
facing Wisconsin voters and supports the right of same-sex
couples to marry: "As I said at the Kenosha County listening
session, gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and
have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that
straight couples currently enjoy. Denying people this basic
American right is the kind of discrimination that has no place
in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin.
The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of
divisiveness that has become part of this issue."
As a result of this announcement, Feingold becomes the
fourth U.S. senator to support marriage equality, along with
Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden
(D-Ore.).
Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"Senator Feingold's announcement today is more than an
important step forward in the struggle for equal rights. At long
last, progressive and fair-minded Americans have a leader taking
the ethically and morally correct stand for marriage equality
— no equivocation, waffling or hairsplitting. And it comes
as no surprise that the same senator who long ago recognized and
successfully battled the corrupting effect of
out-of-control-money in political campaigns has stepped forward
to recognize and support a fundamental civil rights truth. This
is the kind of courageous, principled and clear leadership this
country so desperately needs."
In recognition of Feingold's announcement, the Task Force
will present its 2006 National Leadership Award to the senator
at its national dinner in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2006.
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Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force Foundation (the Task Force) was the first national
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and
advocacy organization and remains the movement's leading voice
for freedom, justice and equality. We work to build the
grassroots political strength of our community by training state
and local activists and leaders, working to strengthen the
infrastructure of state and local allies, and organizing
broad-based campaigns to build public support for complete
equality for LGBT people. Our Policy Institute, the community's
premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to
support the struggle for complete equality. As part of a broader
social justice movement, we work to create a world that respects
and makes visible the diversity of human expression and identity
where all people may fully participate in society. Headquartered
in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los
Angeles, Cambridge, Mass., and Miami. The Task Force is a
501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C.
Contributions to the Task Force are tax deductible to the full
extent allowed by law.
Copyright © 2006 National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force
Creating Change(TM) is a trademark of the
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
All other trademarks
mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
The Task
Force Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID
#52-1624852.
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