HRC Announces Creation of The Marriage Project

For Immediate Release
Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005

Contact: Steven Fisher
Phone: (202) 216-1547
Cell: (202) 431-7608

Contact: Mark Shields
Phone: (202) 216-1564
Cell: (202) 716-1637


HRC ANNOUNCES CREATION OF THE MARRIAGE PROJECT

Move Designed to Accelerate and Focus Work

WASHINGTON - In a move designed to deliver added focus and energy to
the
organization's work around marriage equality, the Human Rights Campaign
board leadership announced today the creation of The Marriage Project.
The new program will be led by Seth Kilbourn who has designed and
implemented HRC's ground-breaking field work across the country.

"As we stepped back and examined our organizational structure, it was
clear we needed to sharpen and galvanize our work supporting equal
marriage rights," said Gwen Baba, co-chair of the HRC Board of
Directors. "We're facing both opportunities and challenges, with
unique
regional undertones. And in Seth, we have one of the most creative and
collaborative grassroots minds in the country to lead the project."

Kilbourn has been at HRC for eight years, and has led the Field
Department for the last five. Under Seth's leadership, HRC has rapidly
expanded its grassroots capacity, launched the HRC Action Center, a
web-based network of activists nationwide, and brought an unprecedented
level of HRC resources to state-level political work. In the last
fiscal year, for example, HRC targeted $1.6 million on getting out the
GLBT and allied vote in targeted states, and invested $1.7 million in
direct contributions to state GLBT organizations and ballot campaigns,
including polling, messaging and on-the-ground activities.

"Marriage is dominating the political discourse at every level," said
Kilbourn. "Our goal is to supplement, support and add value whether
that fight is in the courts, the legislature or at the ballot box.
This
is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to continuing to build
upon our strong relationships with national partners and state
organizations."

"We've got some real opportunities in the next year or two, and some
humbling challenges," added Mike Berman, co-chair of the HRC Board of
Directors. "We must be strategic and regionally sensitive, but
continue
to push forward and build broad-based support for full marriage
equality
wherever we can. Seth is just the right leader for us in this effort."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay,
bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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