The U.S. Supreme Court has declared marriage a fundamental right under the Constitution . Without the legal right to marry, same-sex couples do not have rights like family health coverage, medical and bereavement leave, child custody, tax benefits and pension plans. Tradition can't justify discrimination. Not long ago, marriage was traditionally limited to members of the same race and religion, and married women were virtually the legal property of their husbands. Civil and religious marriage are two separate institutions.
Civil marriage binds a couple in a legal contract consisting of obligations and benefits.
While some religions provide ceremonial services for same-sex couples, these unions do not receive legal recognition. Legalizing same-sex civil marriage will not require any religion to perform or recognize these marriages. As a feminist organization recognizing that attacks on any group of women are attacks on all women, NOW champions lesbian rights as one of our priority issues. During Valentine's Day weekend 1997, NOW coordinated a National Day of Action with more than 100 chapters organizing nationwide in support of same-sex marriage. NOW is the only major feminist organization that is a part of the National Freedom to Marry Coalition , which coordinates grassroots, legal and legislative strategies to win same-sex marriage rights.