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