Loving Day is a celebration of Richard and Mildred Loving, and interracial couple who won their right to be married in the landmark Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia, in 1967. They'd been arrested, sentenced to jail time and banished from their state, all because most people believed God made black people and white people to be separated and interracial marriage was a threat to everything marriage was supposed to be. Virginia law said that even cohabitation was "against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth". The Lovings didn't set out to be political, they just wanted to be married. But the case they started and won was a huge victory for everyone who thinks marriage should be between people who love each other, regardless of who approves.
For more historical information and an "awe..." picture, check out:
There are events all over the nation coming up in the next week or so, thanks to helpful folks at lovingday.org who are helping to promote the holiday. Loving Day's mission is to fight racial prejudice through education and to build multicultural community. You can find an event near you at:
Mildred Loving, 2007 wrote:I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard's and my name is 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.