Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) is one of the LGBT community’s most hard working organizations in the struggle for marriage equality.  The national organization works  to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation. MEUSA was officially founded and formed in 1998 and has been at the forefront of the movement since then.

The organization has been organizing marriage equality events and activism long before Proposition 8, which was the “turning point” that really pushed the issue front and center into people’s minds. The San Diego chapter is a very active group, organizing weekly canvasses and other events, truly engaging our community and working hard to change the hearts of minds of voters. They have a few exciting events and activities coming up that I encourage you to attend or take part in – plus our local MEUSA-SD chapter members are a lot of fun to hang out with!

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Marriage Equality USA presents its’ first ever “Get Engaged Mixer“
Friday, September 18 from 6-9 p.m. at Universal:

The event will include:
-$5 Discount Cocktails
- 1/2 off Appetizers
-Special Live Music Performance by Rhythm and The Method

Get Engaged Mixer is the first ever social for Marriage Equality USA, as well as a benefit concert for Rhythm Turner sponsored by Marriage Equality USA and Universal SD. Join us for what is sure to be a great evening of friends, food, and fun with a purpose as we seek to raise money for the Rhythm Turner Recovery Fund. Learn more about what Marriage Equality USA, and its coalition partners are doing through education to secure national equality with key legislation that would protect LGBT individuals from hate crime attacks. Rhythm Turner along with her band Rhythm and the Method will be playing, and your suggested contribution of $5 will help Marriage Equality USA raise money for the Rhythm Turner Recovery Fund!

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MEUSA is also looking for active duty service members, vetrans and their families to share their personal stories on how “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) and the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) are un-American and harm all families. If you would like to share your story for MEUSA’s Veteran’s Day report, take a few minutes to complete their on-line survey.

And let me tell you – DADT has severe, lasting impacts on those affected by it. There are thousands of stories and examples that illustrate the injustices that DADT (as well as DOMA) causes. As a former partner of an active duty service member I know first-hand.

I encourage anyone affected by these policies to tell their stories! Please complete the survey.

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And finally, why not celebrate love? Miguel and Robert Close-Rodriguez, who serve as the local MEUSA chapter leaders, will celebrate the one-year anniversary of their marriage on Saturday, September 26 from 7-11 p.m. at Bamboo Lounge in Hillcrest.

Robert and Miguel are a beautiful couple, passionate about making sure that everyone is afforded the right to marry, just as they and 18,000 other couples were lucky enough to do during the 173 day window that marriage equality existed in California last year. The event is a benefit for Marriage Equality USA. Join them and celebrate love!