Respect for Marriage Coalition Launches Second National Ad Featuring Republican Military Veteran Craig Stowell in Support of the Freedom to Marry
February 22, 2013
Contact: Respect For Marriage Coalition Office / 202-567-5720
In “Stowell” National Television Ad, Fmr. Marine Corporal Speaks Out for Gay Brother
Washington, D.C. – The Respect for Marriage Coalition has launched a second national television ad which features Craig Stowell, a Republican and former Marine Corporal, speaking out for the freedom to marry. Titled “Stowell,” the national television ad is part of the Coalition’s ongoing “#Time4Marriage” advertising campaign, which will feature a broad variety of voices and encourage people to join the bipartisan majority of Americans who actively support marriage for all committed couples.
“Stowell,” which features Craig Stowell, his wife Berta, and his brother Calvin, who is gay, began airing yesterday on cable, and will air during networks’ Sunday shows over the coming weeks. The transcript of the ad reads:
STOWELL
TV: 30
Craig Stowell: None of us would want to be told we can’t marry the person we love.
As Americans, we believe in freedom and equal treatment. That’s what I fought for as a Marine, and that’s what we believe as Republicans. But freedom means freedom for everyone.
I didn't use to understand the importance of same-sex marriage, but after learning my brother was gay I wanted the same rights for him. He was the best man at my wedding and I want to be the best man at his.
It’s only fair that Calvin should have the freedom to marry the person he loves, too.
VO: “It’s time for marriage.” (Visual: #Time4Marriage)
According to a new national poll, three-quarters of all voters – including many of those who oppose marriage for same-sex couples – believe that marrying the person you love is a fundamental freedom and Constitutional right for every American, including gays and lesbians. A majority of Americans also believes that to continue denying gays and lesbians the freedom to marry constitutes discrimination. And an overwhelming majority of voters of all political persuasions, including those who personally oppose marriage equality, also believe that granting same-sex couples the same legal right to marry as straight couples is likely to happen: 77% believe that marriage for gays and lesbians will be legal in the United States in “the next couple of years” and 83% believe that it will happen in “the next 5-10 years.” This finding reflects a double-digit increase in voters’ opinions on this issue in just two years.
The Respect for Marriage Coalition comprises more than 80 organizations supporting the freedom to marry – which have come together for the first time in history to organize and fund a national advertising and awareness effort. Against the backdrop of President Obama’s historic comments about same-sex marriage in his inaugural address, freedom to marry legislation pending in a number of states, and two landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Coalition is working to grow support for the freedom to marry across the nation.
Watch the full ad below: