Mildred Loving passed away last week, a black woman who had married a white man and couldn't live in the state that she resided in, without getting arrested because interracial marriages were illegal. That was in 1957, not that long ago. After returning to Virginia, they were charged and sentenced for engaging in miscegenation and had to relocate to DC where they filed a motion against the judgment which led to ultimately striking down anti-miscegenation laws nation-wide.
I have never been a big fan of marriage, but if the government wants jurisdiction over marriage and it is considered a protected right, when someone legally can't get married it is a violation of their guaranteed rights. It is pretty crazy that this was only a few decades ago, but the battle for marriage rights continues today.
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ah, loving v. virginia, one of the supreme court's shining moments.
also of note, mildred loving came out recently with a statement in favor of equal marriage rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, which i thought was pretty badass of her.
rileystclair- that is SO badass!
This makes me really sad. She was truly an awesome lady. One time, for kicks, I copied huge sections out of the Supreme Court ruling in Loving v. Virginia and changed "race" to "sexual orientation" and "sex" wherever applicable. It fit a little *too* perfectly.
Ugh. Just, ugh.
:(
I'm so sad. If it wasn't for her my partner and I would be in jail.
Check out http://lovingday.org/
It was great for me to find this resource. I am in an interracial relationship. You'd be amazed how challenging it still is. Though the legal aspect has changed, the social has been much slower to follow. Interracial relationships face many challenges even today. How brave of her!!!
Check out http://lovingday.org/
It was great for me to find this resource. I am in an interracial relationship. You'd be amazed how challenging it still is. Though the legal aspect has changed, the social has been much slower to follow. Interracial relationships face many challenges even today. How brave of her!!!
I keep reading the title as 'Vagina is for lovers' and giggling.
The Lovings' were married (and arrested) in 1958, not 1957.
The Lovings were married (and arrested) in 1958, not 1957.
I love what you say here. As a gay woman who's never been fond of marriage, it's often difficult for me to explain to people my resolution in defending gay marriage. Well put.
As a straight woman who has no intention of ever making the marriage mistake again, I must say that it would be so much easier for my partner and I to just be a loving & committed couple without the assumption of a marriage relationship if it were possible for EVERYONE to get married, no matter race, creed, color or orientation.
Thank you Mildred Loving for beginning to pave the way for all of us. RIP