For Immediate Release
January 2, 2001

Spotting a trend towards people choosing to live together before marriage or not marry at all, USA Today named one of the founders of the Alternatives to Marriage Project among the "People to Watch in 2001."

The December 27th article details the work of Marshall Miller and Dorian Solot, founders of the Alternatives to Marriage Project, a national non-profit organization that provides a voice for people in unmarried relationships.

"When we started the Alternatives to Marriage Project three years ago, we knew a major cultural shift in attitudes and expectations about marriage and cohabitation was well underway," Miller said. "Eleven million Americans live with an unmarried partner and the majority of all people marrying today live together first."

The Alternatives to Marriage Project provides support and information to those in unmarried relationships, including people who choose not to marry, those who are prevented from marrying, such as gay and lesbian couples, and those who live together before marriage. The organization advocates for increased acceptance of all types of families, both married and unmarried. Its Affirmation of Family Diversity gained widespread attention and has been signed by over 500 experts and citizens.

"It's time for us to re-think our definition of family. Unmarried couples raise children, share household chores, and eat meals together like any other family, yet the Census calls us, 'non-family households.' We're not recognized as each other's family members in the eyes of the law. Although we've come a long way, the world can still be a hostile place for people in unmarried relationships," said Solot. She cites discrimination in areas like housing, insurance, and employment as examples.

"Unmarried people are starting to speak out in the national debate about marriage and family," says Miller. "We need to recognize family diversity and support all people, married and unmarried."