Whether you’re pushing for protections on the local or state level, or opposing efforts to enact anti-gay relationship bans, it is important to bring a broad coalition together—both to share in the work that needs to be done, and to show that your campaign has broad support.  You will gain allies across constituencies if you can demonstrate how your campaign’s values and goals are in line with their own.  Support from, say, a religious or civil rights group can recast your message, and lead to support from individuals who may otherwise have felt no connection to your cause.

Almost every constituency imaginable has a voice speaking for it in support of marriage and other forms of relationship recognition for same-sex couples.  A broad range of religions are supportive, as are civil rights groups, women’s groups, business groups and even conservative groups.  We’ve provided the resources below not only to help you identify groups to approach, but also to get a sense of how each aligns the issue of relationship recognition with their own beliefs, values and interests. 

You can start identifying potential supporters by looking at a list of 115 organizations opposed to the Federal Marriage Amendment, who came together as the Coalition Against Discrimination in the Constitution and delivered a statement to Congress.