Arthur Ashe's Widow Raises Awareness In PSA
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign has released the third video of the “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality” campaign, which features Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, widow of the late tennis great Arthur Ashe. The campaign raises the public profile of marriage equality in the Empire State leading into this fall’s elections and next year’s anticipated legislative action. The campaign can be viewed online at www.hrc.org/NY4marriage.
“New York is poised to be on the leading edge of marriage equality and New Yorkers are speaking out to make it happen,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We hope these high-profile New Yorkers spur every fair-minded citizen to make their voices heard on this critical equality issue.”
The campaign is centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support the right of same-sex couples to marry. The ads will run online with possible placement elsewhere as the legislative fight for marriage equality heats up in Albany.
To date, HRC has released three videos – Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, actress Julianne Moore and designer Kenneth Cole – and more will follow in the coming weeks and months including: Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Fran Drescher, Whoopi Goldberg, Ethan and Ryan Hawke, Christopher Meloni, Moby, Joan Rivers, Daphne Ruben-Vega, Sunrise and Mark Ruffalo and Rev. Al Sharpton.
An equal marriage bill failed last year by eight votes in the New York state Senate despite having the support of the Governor and being passed in the Assembly. HRC’s Campaign for New York Marriage is working to defeat Senators who voted against equality and instead to elect fair-minded leaders.
To date HRC’s New York PAC has raised over $150,000 for election-related activities.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
