Iconic TV Host Ana Maria Polo Joins HRC’s Americans for Marriage Equality Campaign

Yesterday, HRC released two web videos featuring Ana Maria Polo, host of the renowned Telemundo show “Caso Cerrado,” for the organization’s Americans for Marriage Equality campaign. In the videos – one in English and one in Spanish – Dr. Polo speaks out in support of the right for committed gay and lesbian couples to marry nationwide, asking, “What right do we have to interfere with love?” Polo also discussed her participation in the campaign and her support for marriage equality last night on Telemundo’s “Al Rojo Vivo” with host, Maria Celeste.

Thanks to her legendary charisma, passion and objectivity, Ana Maria Polo is recognized as one of Hispanic television’s most prestigious personalities within the United States and abroad. Polo hosts the renowned Telemundo show “Caso Cerrado”, the first Spanish language program nominated for a Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Award.[pullquote] Dr. Polo speaks out in support of the right for committed gay and lesbian couples to marry nationwide, asking, “What right do we have to interfere with love?”[/pullquote]

In 2011 Polo was honored with the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, which honors individuals and organizations affiliated with the communications industry that demonstrate a humanitarian commitment. Later that year she was named the first Hispanic ambassador for Stand Up To Cancer, joining an esteemed list of national and international celebrity supporters of the initiative, which raises awareness and funds for collaborative cancer research. As a breast cancer survivor, Polo has become a fighting role model for many women, and works with different organizations that fight to find a cure to this disease.  Her commitment to the Hispanic community has also prompted her involvement with other issues important to her, including the fight for human rights and against discrimination.

This is the thirteenth video release for the re-launch of HRC’s Americans for Marriage Equality video campaign, and the first set released in both English and Spanish. Previous releases include videos from Kathryn Hahn, Padma Lakshmi, Pauley Perrette, Jeff Perry, Kevin McHale, Kristin Chenoweth, Anthony Bourdain, Colbie Caillat, Tony Hawk, Susan Sarandon and Demi Lovato.

A Quinnipiac Polling Institute poll released last year showed 63% of Hispanic voters support same-sex marriage. Nationally, Gallup puts support for marriage equality at 55 percent – an astonishing 15 points increase from just 5 years ago – with other polls showing support at even higher margins. And support for same-sex marriage rights continues to grow in virtually every demographic group.  According to ABC News/Washington Post, 77 percent of adults under age 30 favor marriage equality.  Forty percent of Republicans – an all-time high and jump of 16 points in under two years – now support marriage for gay and lesbian couples, while the number of Catholics supporting marriage has grown to 62 percent, according to The New York Times.  These numbers continue to grow, with no indication that support will slow down. [pullquote]A Quinnipiac Polling Institute poll released last year showed 63% of Hispanic voters support same-sex marriage.[/pullquote]

Same-sex couples can legally marry in 35 states and the District of Columbia, while 15 states still have constitutional amendments in effect restricting marriage to the union of one man and one woman.  Court challenges to those marriage bans have been filed in every state where they remain on the books, and polling continues to show Americans moving inexorably in the direction of supporting equality for same-sex couples nationwide.

HRC’s Americans for Marriage Equality campaign seeks to advance marriage equality nationwide and provide up-to-the-minute information for lawmakers, legal experts, media, and grassroots supporters. Following the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8 last year, new marriage equality battles are underway in the courts, at the ballot and in public education campaigns.  The campaign’s video series will draw from a cadre of supportive professional athletes, film and music celebrities, and political and civic leaders speaking out in favor of marriage rights for same-sex couples nationwide.

For more information on the campaign or to see the videos, visit http://americansformarriageequality.org. To see this video in Spanish (español) visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD2uPf73oe0.

[From a News Release]

 

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