TTPC Celebrates Mildred Loving

TTPC Celebrates the Contributions of Mildred Loving

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition honors the contribution of Mildred Loving, who passed away yesterday. Mildred and Richard Loving were the couple who successfully challenged anti-miscegenation statutes in the historic case, Loving v. Virginia in 1967.

The commitment of the Lovings to one another, and to their belief that no government should prevent two people the freedom to marry, has secured her place in this nation's history. She reiterated her belief in this fundamental right in her statement last year on the 40th Anniversary of the historic ruling by Supreme Court of the United States.

...Not a day goes by that I don't think of Richard and our love, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the 'wrong kind of person' for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry.

...I am proud that Richard's and my name are on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about."

(Read Mrs. Loving's full statement here.)

One of those anti-miscegenation laws overturned by the Supreme Court was Article XI, Section 14, of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. That language was finally removed in 1978. Then, in 2006, voters in Tennessee placed marriage discrimination back into the Constitution of the State banning marriage equality based on gender.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition remains committed to continuing the Lovings' fight to end all forms of discrimination, including in the areas of marriage and relationship recognition.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition extends our best wishes to the Loving family.


Marisa Richmond
President


The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is an organization designed to educate and advocate on behalf of transgender related legislation at the Federal, State and local levels. TTPC is dedicated to raising public awareness and building alliances with other organizations concerned with equal rights legislation.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact:

Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC)
P.O. Box 92335
Nashville, TN 37209
http://ttgpac.com
TTGPAC@aol.com
(615)293-6199
(615)353-1834 fax