Evan Wolfson named to <i>Time</i>'s list of the 100 most influential people (12145)

Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, has been named one of the "Time 100," a list in the current special edition of Time magazine featuring the world's 100 most influential people alive today. Recognized for his work on marriage equality for same-sex couples, Wolfson is included in the "Heroes and Icons" section of the list, along with leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bono, and Nobel Prize winners.

"It is an immense honor to be listed alongside heroes like Nelson Mandela," said Wolfson. "And I am thrilled to see this recognition that marriage equality for same-sex couples is a crucial civil rights struggle whose time has come."

Prior to starting Freedom to Marry, Wolfson was the director of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund's Marriage Project. He is one of America's leading gay rights lawyers, having argued against the Boy Scouts' antigay membership policy in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and successfully litigated many high-profile cases, including one that resulted in partner benefits for New York City employees. His new book, Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry, will be released by Simon & Schuster in July.