If you have landed on this page and have not seen our Facebook event page, please join the movement there!

http://www.facebook.com/events/267468596624527/

Had a great planning session last night, here is what we came up with:

We will be getting together on the evening of Monday the 13th around 6pm to make signs, our goal is to be light and fun, nothing mean or nasty. Some members of the First Congregational UCC at the corner of 5th ave and 7th Street (right across from the courthouse) will give us access to their Rec Hall for making signs.

We wil...l continue making contact with members of the media and members of the Legislature. Please remember the LGBT lobby day at the capital on Feb 8th. Also, if you have any media contacts that you feel would be helpful, send them my way!

We will be 'Dressed to Impress'. Our goal, if at all possible, is to have everyone dress up like they're going to a wedding, especially our couples!

We plan to make cupcakes to give out to passers-by and folks going in and out of the courthouse. The plan is to make it a fun, positive, party kind of atmosphere. If anyone wants to make a dozen and bring along, feel free!

The couples applying will need $36 for the license fee. Anyone coming and not applying may want to donate some cash to the cause.

We will have appointed folks to speak to the media, however, anyone is welcome to speak to the media. Just remember, keep our messages positive at all times. Don't bad mouth conservatives, presidential candidates, the 'Christian right', etc, don't focus on what we're against, but what we're For!

We also plan to make 'White Knots' as outlined here: http://www.whiteknot.org/

Any and all ideas are welcome! Please share!

Download a flyer!

Click here to download a supersnazzy flyer!

Planning Meeting!

Just a reminder. We will be having a planning/meet & greet event on Feb 1st at around 7 pm at Club Deception in Huntington for any that are able to make it. Also, if you are writing letters or spreading the word about this event, feel free to use the 'applyforequality@yahoo.com' email address as a contact. Thanks

WV Senate Bill 14

Folks, just received a very supportive reply from Senate President Jeff Kessler, he suggests that we also take immediate action and contact Senator Corey Palumbo, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Currently Senate bill 14, which would add sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act, thereby guaranteeing housing and employment protections is in his committee. Please contact Senator Palumbo and let him know that this bill needs to pass through his committee and on to the floor! corey.palumbo@wvsenate.gov or (304) 357-7880

Voice of the People

The Herald-Dispatch

Gather to support same-sex marriage

Last fall I traveled to Niagara Falls, Canada, to be with some of my closest friends as a childhood friend got married to his partner. Like all weddings, there were tears of joy not just from the crowd that included both families and close friends, but also from the string quartet sitting quietly in the corner during the ceremony.
The minister, who regularly performs same-sex ceremonies, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, then slowly adding what a shame it is to have to travel such a great distance instead of having the freedom to marry in any state in the United States.
The wedding party traveled over 900 miles round-trip to be a part of the wedding, but I know deep down how much it would have meant for my friend to have been married in West Virginia, his home, in these mountains that I know he loves so much.
To further this cause, we invite you to join us at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 as we gather on the grounds of the Cabell County Courthouse and proceed to "Apply for Equality."
Rachel Sparkman
Huntington

You can view the original letter here.

What We're Planning

This Valentine's day event is planned to be a peaceful & symbolic protest for marriage equality. We will be meeting at the courthouse with as large a group as we can muster. At that point, as many committed same-sex couples as we have in the group will proceed to the clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. While other states are beginning to grant marriage rights for all people, WV is still floating the tired old 'constitutional ban' talk around the legislature. We are starting on a local level and hope to inspire folks statewide to take up similar measures! Please plan to attend and tell all your friends. 

When: February 14, 10am - 2pm

Where: Cabell County Courthouse