A television commercial in support of
gay marriage began airing statewide in Oklahoma on Monday.
The ad, which will run for a week,
comes roughly two weeks after the 10th Circuit Court of
Appeals in Denver heard arguments in a case challenging Oklahoma's
marriage ban.
In the 30-second ad, retired Army
colonel and Purple Heart recipient Ed Cuyler and his wife Robbie
discuss their support for their daughter Deedra and her wife Amber.
The women, who married in Massachusetts, are raising 15-month-old
twin daughters and a three-year-old son. Because Oklahoma does not
recognize their marriage, Deedra is unable to include Amber on her
health plan.
“Here in Oklahoma, we value family,”
Ed Cuyler says. “When Deedra told me she was gay, as her dad I was
worried, because I wanted to protect her. When Deedra met Amber, I
realized she could have a family. Only marriage means the ability to
take care of your family.”
“Why shouldn't they know the love
we've had all these years?” Robbie Cuyler asks.
Ed Cuyler concludes: “As a veteran, I
know freedom means freedom for everyone. And no family should be
denied a basic freedom.” (The video is embedded on this page.
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The ad was produced by Freedom to Marry
and Freedom Oklahoma.