National Freedom to Marry Day
| National Freedom to Marry Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | February 12 |
| Next time | 12 February 2025 |
| Frequency | annual |
National Freedom to Marry Day is a non-official United States holiday held annually on February 12 to promote same-sex marriage. The holiday was founded in 1998 by Lambda Legal, a gay rights advocacy law firm based out of Washington, DC.[1]
The most notable National Freedom to Marry Day was February 12, 2004, when, following a directive from San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom to his county clerk, the City and County of San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. On February 10, Newsom asked the clerk's office to make the changes on the "forms and documents used to apply for and issue marriage licenses… in order to provide [them] on a non–discriminatory basis."[2]
February 12, the same day of Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, is a day for people to think about love and equality. Many LGBTQ+ people want to get married this day in order to commemorate their love, just two days before Valentine's Day. "Tying the Knot" can be shown by tying a knot around trees, lamp posts, signs, or anywhere else that can be easily seen.[3]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "No organized celebration for National Freedom to Marry Day". www.thedp.com. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
- ^ Cass, Maxine (2006-01-01). It Happened in San Francisco. Globe Pequot. ISBN 9780762738236.
- ^ "National Freedom to Marry Day -- February 12". Lambda Legal. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
External links[edit]
- Today is Freedom to Marry Day - Just Don't Say "Gay Marriage"!, Evan Wolfson, Huffington Post, February 12, 2008.
- San Francisco Mayor's Office Press Release
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