Gay marriage and Loving v. Virginia

An odd couple makes a moving case that Prop. 8, like the ban on interracial marriage, must be overturned

Published June 9, 2011 10:10PM (EDT)

Mildred Loving on Jan. 26, 1965
Mildred Loving on Jan. 26, 1965

I'm getting back to my book so blogging will be lighter in the next few weeks. But I couldn't resist a request to share this video from American Foundation for Equal Rights, the group behind the appeal of California's Prop. 8, which banned gay marriage. It commemorates the 44th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, which is Sunday.

A few years ago I wrote about how one of the plaintiffs, Mildred Loving, made an appeal for marriage rights for gay people on the 40th anniversary of the Loving verdict, just before she died at 68. AFER used Loving's words in a video narrated by one of the oddest political "couples" I know, conservative Ted Olson and liberal David Boies. I didn't think a video featuring two nerdy lawyers could be moving, but it is. And it's always good to remember Mildred and Richard Loving.

 

 


By Joan Walsh



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Gay Marriage