For Immediate Release

September 14, 2007

National Unmarried & Single Americans Week (USA Week) starts Sunday, September 16th. The Alternatives to Marriage Project (AtMP), a national nonprofit, is marking USA Week with several events in California. Reflecting the national trend, the majority of California households are unmarried.

Unmarried and single people include all who have never married, are no longer married, or aren't able to marry legally. Society's excessive focus on marriage generates shared interests among a wide variety of people: it affects people of all ages, races, orientations, and beliefs.

According to AtMP's executive director, Nicky Grist, the top three realities facing unmarried people in the U.S. are:

1. Unmarried people are diverse.
2. Marital status discrimination is widespread and legal.
3. Focusing on the "institution of marriage" serves political interests more than it serves people.

The Alternatives to Marriage Project primarily provides support and information for and about unmarried people. It also calls attention to discriminatory government and corporate policies. Three of AtMP's top public policy priorities for 2007-2008 are:

1. Health Care - Under the U.S. system of employer-based insurance, access to care and the ability to care for one's family are determined by employees' marital or relationship status. AtMP's position statement calls for truly universal health care and encourages health care reform organizations and political candidates to reject proposals that perpetuate marital status discrimination.

2. State Constitutions - Of the 27 state constitutions that prohibit same-sex marriage, 14 prohibit all unmarried relationships from receiving legal recognition similar to marriage. Because of these amendments, state courts have already denied unmarried people's eligibility for domestic violence protections and domestic partnership benefits; AtMP predicts ongoing attempts to use these amendments to strip rights from unmarried people. In November 2008, California, Florida and Oregon ballots may include amendment proposals; AtMP volunteers will do voter education and turnout, as they did in 2006.

3. Voting - Unmarried people do not vote or participate in civic affairs as much as married people do. Research shows that unmarried non-voters typically feel marginalized and politically powerless because government does not pay attention to them. Nicky Grist says "I'm confident that more unmarried people will vote in 2008 if the candidates speak directly to their needs. We're approaching an unmarried majority; it's obviously time for a national conversation about marital status discrimination in federal laws, state laws, and business practices. AtMP's volunteers are energized to make a difference."

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More about the Alternatives to Marriage Project : End marital status discrimination. Relieve and reduce the stigma against singles, unmarried partners and parents, and diverse families. This is AtMP's vision, and we have an impressive record of achievement. AtMP is a nonprofit organization with over 9,000 members in all 50 states; it is featured in hundreds of media outlets each year. AtMP is the only organization that combines practical advice, responsible media outreach, and policy advocacy for all unmarried people. Learn more about the reality of unmarriage in America and the potential for social change at www.unmarried.org.