According to Frank Voci, founder of White Knot for Equality, the way to change people's hearts and minds about marriage equality is to engage them in dialogue, one on one, across the country.
The group aims to spread the word about marriage equality by encouraging those who support the cause to proudly wear White Knots – regardless of their own sexual preferences.
"There are many heterosexual people wearing White Knots, standing with the LGBT community in solidarity because at the end of the day, they realize that their rights are (and should be) no different than the rights of any other person; that their love is (and should be) no different than the love of any other person," Voci explained in an April 15 email interview.
What Can be Accomplished by Wearing a White Knot?
"A couple of things," says Voci. "First, it's a show of support and a way of making that support visible in day-to-day life. Second – and perhaps more importantly at this point – it's a means to spark a conversation, either by someone asking a wearer what the White Knot is all about, or by someone offering someone else a White Knot and telling them what it means and why it's important."
What Are the Benefits of Implementing the White Knot Campaign Locally, Nationally, and Internationally?
"Locally," says Voci, "the campaign helps support the various marriage equality initiatives in different states. Because in this country marriage is left up to the states, it's critical that each state engages in a vigorous campaign for equal rights. It's important to remember that the White Knot is not its own separate campaign. Rather, it's the symbol that all those organizations and individuals striving for marriage equality (and the rest of the slate of equal rights for the LGBT community) use as a unifying icon."
"Nationally, it's important because the most important rights bestowed on married couples happen at the national level. We need DOMA repealed and federal recognition of same-sex marriages. By having the White Knot appear in communities across the country, we show that this is not just a state-by-state issue, but a national movement for equal protection under the law."
"Internationally, it connects all the movements around the world that are striving for the same thing – equal rights for the LGBT community. In the end, it's quite simple: the White Knot is the symbol that unifies all those fighting for Marriage Equality and overall equal rights, no matter where they are."
"The success of White Knot depends on people taking it up, making it their own, and using it wherever they are. The message lives and grows with whoever is wearing and giving out Knots."
For more information, go to WhiteKnot.org and find out how you can help. Because everyone should have the right to tie the knot.
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