11/7/2011

Washington – Emmy Award-winning actor John Leguizamo is featured in a new video for the Americans for Marriage Equality public education campaign by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.  In the web ad, Leguizamo explains, “Nothing is more important than family and nothing says family like marriage.”  The video can be viewed online at http://www.hrc.org/MarriageEquality.

“John Leguizamo has been trailblazer for Latino actors, and his voice will be equally influential nationally for marriage equality,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We are grateful such an accomplished actor and writer has joined the campaign."

Leguizamo is a writer and actor of stage and screen, starring in Love in the Time of Cholera (with Javier Bardem and Benjamin Bratt), The Happening (Mark Wahlberg), Righteous Kill (Robert Deniro and Al Pacino), and The Babysitters (Cynthia Nixon). He was the recipient of the 2002 ALMA Award for Entertainer of the Year.

About 53% of the American public supports marriage for same-sex couples, according to a number of nonpartisan polls, including Gallup, CNN, and Washington Post/ABC News. Support has increased an unprecedented 20 points since 1996, according to the Pew Research Center.

This is the fourth video released by HRC as part of its Americans for Marriage Equality campaign, and the first of the Latinos for Marriage Equality.

Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker, one of Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People in the world, kicked off the series followed by Oscar winner Mo’Nique and civil rights legend Julian Bond. Over the coming months, HRC will roll out targeted videos playing off of the Americans brand, including Republicans for Marriage Equality, African-Americans for Marriage Equality, Latinos for Marriage Equality and Elected Officials for Marriage Equality.

To see the videos and learn more about the campaign, visit http://www.hrc.org/MarriageEquality.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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