Relationship Recognition – Conclusion

Connect through storytelling:

Conversations about marriage are about people. When we focus on how people are hurt when they are denied the ability to marry the person they love, it makes the harm of denying marriage real. When you discuss marriage, speak from the heart. Discuss why marriage matters to you, and why you wouldn’t want to deny marriage to anyone else. Building support for marriage isn’t about debating or arguing about “rights”. It is about helping your audience connect, or reconnect, with what it feels like to find that special someone.

Below is a sample story but additional examples of real stories and videos can be found
at www.whymarriagematters.org.

  • As I travel throughout my district, I’ve met so many couples who love one another and are working hard to create a life together. One couple that comes to mind is Ashley and Nicole. Ashley is a social worker and Nicole is a nurse; they are the kind of neighbors everyone would want living nearby. They care about family, they are active in the community. When I took some time to visit with them, I learned that they have been together for fifteen years. What they want is what so many other couples want—to take care of and protect one another, through good times and bad.  I was raised to believe that we are not put on earth to judge one another—and that’s why I have come to realize that this couple should have a chance to get married.
“When I think about members of my own staff who are incredibly committed, in monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together… At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”
–  President Barack Obama