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RIGHT TO MARRY ARIZONA Phoenix Metropolitan Area August 8 - 16, 2008 |
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APPLY HERE TO JOIN US IN PHOENIX
Following our second annual spring efforts in New York State, we are proud to announce the expansion of the Right to Marry campaign to Arizona. This is an ongoing initiative to achieve marriage equality in the United States – youth-led but inclusive of every citizen.
WHY ARIZONA?
Arizona is the first state to defeat a constitutional anti-marriage amendment which returns on the ballots this November. Domestic partnership benefits were recently offered to state employees. Arizona is also home to the 2008 Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain. There is not time like the present and the present is ripe with opportunity for the great people of Arizona!
MEET MEG
We are honored to introduce Meg Sneed, the inspiration and the driving force behind this campaign. Meg is a true Soulforce Q leader. She is one of the original Equality Riders, has organized the Right to Serve action in Phoenix and participated in the Right to Marry in New York. An amazing activist and person, she was recently nominated for Distinguished Service by a Woman Award by the Echo Magazine. Contact Meg@RightToMarry.org
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“Growing up in Arizona has shaped who I am. From Madison #1 to North High School, the most crucial years of my life were spent in the heart of Phoenix. It was here that I learned to ride a bike, waved to my parents on my first day of school, had my first kiss, and got my first job. I have fried an egg on the sidewalk. I cringe when I remember game six of the 1993 NBA finals. I am a Phoenicia... Many times I boarded a plane in Sky Harbor airport to venture out on a Soulforce Action. This time, equality is coming home. After 96 years of state hood, LGBT people can no longer be treated as second-class citizens. Arizona is better than that. I am ready for what so many people begin dreaming about as children. I envision a big wedding with my family and friends as witnesses to my lifetime commitment to one person in front of God. I am ready for my home state to recognize and honor it as well.” |
THE CAMPAIGN
In August 8th through August 16th, two Soulforce Q Teams will set out to engage Phoenix in supporting marriage equality. The Walking Team will march 96 miles, the number of years Arizona has been a state without equal protection for its LGBT citizens, throughout the city. They will stop at city halls to host conversations and share the stories of the couples that wish to marry. The Outreach Team will bring the conversation of civics, faith, and equality to three important sectors of Phoenix: senior active adult communities, Latter Day Saints congregations and state legislators. Check back often for more details!
GET INVOLVED!
We are accepting applications from activists of all ages by July 15th! We are also looking for more ideas and ways to ensure lasting impact!
To learn or share how you can be involved with the campaign: Click here and apply to be on one of the teams by July 15th and/or email us at Q@soulforce.org or call 212-203-5774. We look forward to hearing from you!
DONATE TO SUPPORT MEG & ARIZONA!
We cover all participation expenses for Soulforce Q campaigns. If you would like to support the empowerment of young adult leaders like Meg Sneed, please click here to donate. Thank you!
TO LEARN ABOUT OUR NEW YORK EFFORTS, CLICK HERE
Soulforce Q is the young adult division of Soulforce, where we implement projects that empower youth to be leaders. In an effort to make activism accessible to all and put forth a diverse voice calling for equality, we cover all expenses attendant to our campaigns. We welcome all to participate and embrace diversity in age, creed, ethnicity, background, ability, gender idenity, sexual orientation, and educational status.
Links To More Information On Marriage Equality:
Freedom to Marry: a national organization on the forefront of marriage equality
Equality Arizona: the statewide LGBT organization of Arizona
Pride Agenda: the statewide LGBT organization of New York
2008 Right to Marry Campaign in New York State Archive
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