WASHINGTON – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released a video ad featuring Emmy and Tony Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth for the group’s Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. In the video, Chenoweth states, “The bottom line is that regardless of how you were made or who you love, you should be able to get married if you want to get married.  I truly believe it’s that simple.” The video can be viewed online at hrc.org/marriageequality.

“We are incredibly grateful to Kristin Chenoweth for lending her legendary voice to the fight for marriage equality nationwide,” said Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Charles Joughin.  “Like Kristin, a majority of Americans already support marriage for gay and lesbian couples.  And thanks to her and countless others across the country, it’s only a matter of time before a state border no longer dictates your ability to marry the person you love.” 

Emmy and Tony Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth effortlessly transitions between stage, screen and an accomplished singing career. Many remember her show-stealing, Tony-winning performance in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and her triumphant star turn when she originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, which earned her a Tony Award nomination.  Chenoweth has explored numerous and diverse roles for film and television, including “Pushing Daisies,” for which she received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, “The West Wing,” and “Glee,” which earned her Emmy and People’s Choice Award nominations. 

Chenoweth has completed production on the Universal film “The Boy Next Door,” alongside Jennifer Lopez, “Opposite Sex,” an indie teen drama entitled “Hard Sell” and the Disney Channel’s live-action original movie “Descendents,” in which she will play the classic Sleeping Beauty villain Maleficent.  This fall, Chenoweth will host the PBS Arts Fall Festival, featuring classic Broadway hits, music from around the country and theatre performances. The festival will include her own concert performance, “Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home,” where she will perform a career-spanning concert in her hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  The concert will be released as a live CD and DVD in November. And in early 2015, she will return to Broadway, playing the glamorous film star, Lily Garland, in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s 20-week limited engagement of “On the Twentieth Century.”

This is the sixth video released for the re-launch of HRC’s Americans for Marriage Equality Video campaign. Previous releases include videos from Anthony Bourdain, Colbie Caillat, Tony Hawk, Susan Sarandon and Demi Lovato.

Same-sex couples can legally marry in nineteen states and the District of Columbia, while 31 states have a law or constitutional amendment restricting marriage to the union of one man and one woman.  However, polling continues to show Americans moving inexorably in the direction of supporting equality for same-sex couples, and there are over 70 court cases across the country challenging bans on marriage equality.

Nationally, Gallup puts support for marriage equality at 55 percent – an astonishing 15 points increase from just 5 years ago – with other polls showing support at even higher margins.  And support for same-sex marriage rights continues to grow in virtually every demographic group.  According to ABC News / Washington Post, 77 percent of adults under age 30 favor marriage equality.  40 percent of Republicans – an all-time high and jump of 16 points in under two years – now support marriage for gay and lesbian couples, while the number of Catholics supporting marriage has grown to 62 percent, according to the New York Times.  These numbers continue to grow, with no indication that support will slow down.   

HRC’s Americans for Marriage Equality campaign seeks to advance marriage equality nationwide and provide up-to-the-minute information for lawmakers, legal experts, media, and grassroots supporters. Following the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8 last year, new marriage equality battles are underway in the courts, at the ballot and in public education campaigns.  The campaign’s video series will draw from a cadre of supportive professional athletes, film and music celebrities, and political and civic leaders speaking out in favor of marriage rights for same-sex couples nationwide.  For more information on the campaign or to see the videos, visit http://americansformarriageequality.org.

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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