On May 17, 2024, we celebrate 20 years of the freedom to marry — the first day same-sex couples could legally marry in the United States — and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) The History Project, Centerline Liberties and the Arlington Street Church are hosting a celebration, starting at noon, at the Arlington Street Church Sanctuary, at 20 Arlington St. in Boston. (A virtual livestream will also be available.) Advance registration is encouraged (see below).
Says GLAD:
To mark the happy occasion, community members will come together to celebrate the anniversary and reflect on how far we’ve come as a country — and examine the work ahead to ensure that our country is a place where LGBTQ+ people can truly thrive in every area of life.
Please join GLAD for a celebration featuring leaders who paved the way for the freedom to marry two decades ago, advocates who are forging ahead on LGBTQ+ equality now, and special guests. Following a speaking program, guests are welcome to gather for a reception with coffee and pastries.
Speakers include:
- Reverend Kim Crawford Harvie of Arlington Street Church
- David Wilson and Rob Compton, Goodridge plaintiffs
- Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
- Former Massachusetts Representative Paul Kujawski
- David Friedman, Executive Vice President, Legal and Government Affairs of the Boston Red Sox
- Joan Ilacqua, Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ History Project
- Tanya Neslusan, Executive Director of MassEquality
- Ben Klein, Senior Director of Litigation and HIV Law at GLAD
- Marc Solomon, Former Executive Director of MassEquality and author of Winning Marriage
- Adelia D., BAGLY Youth Leadership Committee Co-chair
Also featuring remarks from:
- Governor Maura Healey
- Mary L. Bonauto, Senior Director of Civil Rights and Legal Strategies at GLAD
from a GLAD press release
More: glad.org/events/20years/
Not a subscriber? Sign up today for a free subscription to Boston Spirit magazine, New England’s premier LGBT magazine. We will send you a copy of Boston Spirit 6 times per year and we never sell/rent our subscriber information. Click HERE to sign up!
