May 27, 2014
Legal Challenges to N.C. Marriage Ban to Be Discussed at Two Charlotte Events
Groups and Plaintiffs Behind Three Lawsuits Challenging North Carolina’s Ban on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples Will Discuss Status of Cases and Plans to Secure Freedom to Marry at Noon and 6:30 p.m. Events
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mike Meno, ACLU of North Carolina, 919-834-3466 (office), 919-348-9623 (cell), mmeno@acluofnc.org
Aaron Sarver, Campaign for Southern Equality, 773-960-2857 (cell), aaron@southernequality.org
Jen Jones, Equality NC, 919-260-5906 (cell), jen@equalitync.org
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Equality NC will join organizations and individuals who have filed federal court challenges to North Carolina’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples to discuss the cases and plans to secure the freedom to marry for all loving couples in North Carolina at two separate panel discussions in Charlotte on Thursday, May 29. Both are open to media.
12 Noon: “Winning the Freedom to Marry in North Carolina” (POSTPONED)
What: A “Crucial Conversation” sponsored by NC Policy Watch, the ACLU of North Carolina, and Equality NC that will feature attorneys and plaintiffs, including a plaintiff couple from Charlotte, from two federal lawsuits the ACLU-NC Legal Foundation has filed in the Middle District of North Carolina against the North Carolina marriage ban. The first lawsuit, Fisher-Borne et al. v. Smith, was filed on behalf of six same-sex couples raising children together; the second, Gerber and Berlin et al. v. Cooper, was filed in April on behalf of three married, same-sex couples seeking state recognition of their marriages and asks the court to take swift action because of the serious medical condition of one member of each couple.
When: POSTPONED - Check back soon for updates.
6:30 p.m.: “Taking on Amendment One Through Faith”
What: An interactive panel discussion about General Synod of the United Church of Christ v. Cooper, a lawsuit filed in April in the Western District of North Carolina on behalf of the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a national denomination, clergy from across faith traditions and same-sex couples who seek the freedom to marry. The case challenges the constitutionality of marriage laws in North Carolina – including Amendment One – that ban marriage between same-sex couples and make it illegal for clergy to perform such marriages. The talk will feature lawyers, clergy, and same-sex couple plaintiffs involved in the case.
When: Thursday, May 29. 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte, 28205
For more: www.amendmentonechallenge.org