WASHINGTON – Today the Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization – released a web ad featuring U.S. Sen. Al Franken for its Americans for Marriage Equality campaign.  In the ad, Franken, who represents the state of Minnesota and has been a longtime advocate for LGBT rights, says “I think everybody should be able to marry the person they love.  And I think our government should help people make those life-long commitments.”  The video can be viewed online at http://www.hrc.org/MarriageEquality.

“The government should not be in the business of getting between two people making a loving commitment to each other,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “We are grateful to Sen. Franken for his unwavering support for marriage equality, and know that he will continue to advocate for fairness and equality on behalf of the state of Minnesota.”

Franken was elected to the Senate in 2008 and was sworn in July of 2009 following a statewide hand recount. He currently sits on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee; the Judiciary Committee; the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and  the Committee on Indian Affairs.  He has been one of the most vocal supporters in the Senate for the rights of LGBT people, authoring pro-equality legislation such as the Student Non-Discrimination Act.  Citizens in Franken’s home state of Minnesota will vote in November on a constitutional amendment that, if passed, would ban marriage for same-sex couples. 

This is the eleventh video released by HRC for the Americans campaign.  Past videos feature Michael K. Williams, Aisha Tyler, Dee Rees and Kim Wayans, Scott Fujita, Josh Charles, Katori Hall, John Leguizamo, Julian Bond, Mo’Nique, and Cory Booker.

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, and political and civic leaders. 

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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