A Web site was
launched Monday that features 10 couples attesting to how
same-sex marriage bans have stifled their families and
relationships. The American Civil Liberties Union
along with the Emmy-winning production company
Public Interest launched 10Couples.org, containing streaming video and a call to
action.
The head of
production at Public Interest, David Iser, said in a
statement that the project is aimed at reaching a wide
audience to alert them to the vital protections that
marriage provides and that are denied to gay couples.
"We are taking
advantage of Web technology to get our messages out
about the importance of marriage for same-sex couples,"
Isser said. "People can comment on these videos and
forward them to friends. It's a great jumping-off
point for a meaningful conversation about same-sex
couples and marriage."
The couples on
the Web site have been selected from all over the country
and give a real face to the problems same-sex couples
encounter, including unequal hospital visitation
rights and partner benefits and hiding identities
in military families.
Public Interest's
work has earned two Emmy awards, including one for an
MTV advertising campaign focusing on the 1998 murder of
Matthew Shepard.
The videos are
also available on 10Couples' YouTube
channel. (The Advocate)