WASHINGTON – Today the Human Rights Campaign released a web ad featuring actor Josh Charles – one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive and star of The Good Wife – for its Americans for Marriage Equality campaign.  In the ad, Charles, who plays a lawyer on CBS’ Emmy Award winning legal drama, says, “You don’t need a law degree to understand fundamental fairness.”  The video can be viewed online at http://www.hrc.org/MarriageEquality.

“Like most Americans, Josh Charles believes all couples should have the opportunity to say ‘I do,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Loving gay and lesbian couples should be able to express their commitment to each other, and strengthen their families through marriage.”  

Charles was nominated for an Emmy for his role on The Good Wife and gained critical acclaim early in his career as Knox Overstreet in Dead Poets Society. His ad is the sixth released by HRC for the Americans campaign.  Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker, one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world, kicked off the series followed by Oscar winner Mo’Nique, civil rights legend Julian Bond, Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo, and acclaimed Broadway playwright Katori Hall. 

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.

Americans for Marriage Equality is a public engagement campaign featuring prominent Americans who support committed gay and lesbian couples getting married.  The campaign draws from a cadre of supportive professional athletes, film and music celebrities, political and civic leaders.  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.

For more information on the campaign or to see the videos, visit 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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