Mildred Loving's incredibly profound statement on marriage equality

[tpsbmam]

In June 12, 2007, the 40TH Anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, Mrs. Loving delivered a rare public appearance addressing the rights of same-sex couples to marry and the legacy of Loving v. Virginia:

Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the “wrong kind of person” for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights.

I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.

Her statement took my breath away.













For those who may be unfamiliar with African-American Mildred Loving, she and her husband caucasian Richard were the Lovings in the Loving v. Virginia case that ended bans against intermarriage of races in the US.

The U.S. Supreme Court, by a 9-0 vote, declared Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute, the “Racial Integrity Act of 1924“, unconstitutional, thereby overturning Pace v. Alabama (1883) and ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States.

http://kathmanduk2.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/richard-and-mildred-loving-the-love-story-that-made-marriage-a-fundamental-right/

[MotherPetrie]

1. K&R for a beautiful lady

[forestpath]

2. K&R

[pamela]

3. Has there ever been a court case with a more appropriate name?

Loving-v-Virginia. So glad "loving" won, hope it wins again.

[iandhr]

8. agreed

[R B Garr]

9. So true!

I was thinking the same thing about the Loving name. She sounded so intelligent and almost delicate on a few clips I watched about this case. It's so poignant that after all the trials they had been through to be together that Richard was taken from her by a drunk driver in 1975. She has carried so many burdens in her lifetime but has left quite a legacy.

[tavalon]

4. Excellent!

If this fine woman can figure out that there is no difference between interracial and homosexual marriage, why can't everybody?

Actually, gays are seeing a tidal wave of change in public opinion. The majority of people polled believe that gays should have the right to marry. So, once again, we have the immoral minority screeching at the top of their lungs. They don't hold the prevailing opinion, nor can they stop this sea change.

[love_katz]

5. I really love this.

It IS about love, not bigotry, hate, religious oppression of others, and discrimination.

Goodbye PropH8, goodbye DOMA, hello to Love and justice for all.

[ReRe]

6. It would be great if SOMEONE....

.... would sneak a copy of that onto the desk of all the Justices about right now. It might behoove all of them to take a look at Loving vs Virginia as they contemplate over these cases.

[mountain grammy]

7. Quite a lady. A unanamous decision! Amazing how Americans were finally starting to come together

and recognize the value of every human being. Didn't last long, not good for business or wars.
Scalia on that court would have written his idiotic disenting opinion and Thomas would have silently sided with Virginia. Wait, isn't that the name of Clarence's wife and isn't she, OMG, white? Just where and when did you get married, Justice Thomas?