(Chicago, February 2, 2003) – Hundreds of same-sex couples will gather to honor their commitments and show appreciation to friends and allies of marriage equality at a reception on Thursday, February 12, at 7 p.m., Lambda Legal announced today.

Working in cooperation with over 30 local and national groups, Lambda Legal will highlight numerous community organizations that work for and support marriage equality including Pastor Karen Hunt of the Church of the Open Door. Pastor Hunt will address the crowd, as will representatives from PFLAG and the Association of Latin Men for Action. Lambda Legal’s Director of Education and Public Affairs Michael Adams and Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley will also speak.

“Civil marriage is the legal safety net that our society provides to support committed couples, and same-sex partners need the rights and responsibilities that come with it just as much as heterosexual couples do,” said Mona Noriega, Lambda Legal’s Director for the Midwest Region. “Every day, more and more same-sex couples are standing up and demanding marriage equality. On February 12, Lambda Legal will celebrate the unions that our community cherishes, as well as look to the future and realize what lies ahead.”

Actor Anthony Rapp will emcee the event. A native of Joliet, Ill., Rapp reached popular status by appearing in nearly 20 films and being an original cast member of the Broadway hit “Rent.” Rapp’s other credits include “A Beautiful Mind,” “Twister” and “Six Degrees of Separation.”

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered and people with HIV or AIDS through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

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