There are many organizations working to secure the rights for same-sex couples to legally wed. Here are a few who are leading the way. Visit their websites to learn more about the issues and how you can join the fight by donating time or funds.

BATTLEGROUND STATES

Washington United for Marriage
www.washingtonunitedformarriage.org

Same-sex marriage is scheduled to begin in the state of Washington on June 7, 2012, unless opponents are able to gather enough signatures to get a ballot measure to overturn gay marriage approved for the November 2012 election. Washington United for Marriage is a coalition working to defend marriage equality.

Wedding: Fight for your right to marry

Marylanders for Marriage Equality
www.marylandersformarriageequality.org

Same-sex marriage will begin Jan. 1, 2013, but opponents have until June 30 to gather enough signatures to put a referendum on the November 2012 ballot to stop it. Marylanders for Marriage Equality is coalition working to defend marriage equality.

Mainers United for Marriage
www.mainersunited.org

In November, Maine citizens will vote — not on a gay marriage ban — but on whether to pro-actively grant marriage equality in their state. Mainers United for Marriage is a coalition formed to lead the fight.

Protect All North Carolina Families
www.protectallncfamilies.org

Our Southern neighbor is one of several states battling anti-gay marriage amendments this year. The vote is set for May 8. Protect All North Carolina Families is led by a steering committee of leading LGBT groups and allies, working to defeat the amendment.

NATIONAL GROUPS

Lambda Legal
www.lambdalegal.org

With offices around the country, including Atlanta, Lambda Legal has played a key role in legal battles for marriage rights around the country, including the case that won the right to marry in Iowa. Lambda’s case seeking marriage equality in New Jersey remains pending; a case seeking marriage rights in New Jersey was filed this week.

American Foundation for Equal Rights
www.afer.org

AFER is the group bringing the high-profile federal legal challenge to Proposition 8, the voter initiative that ended gay marriages in California. A district court judge and three-judge appeals court panel have ruled the ban unconstitutional; the case may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Freedom to Marry
www.freedomtomarry.org

Freedom to Marry is a national voice for marriage equality, fighting for marriage rights at the state and federal level. Current projects include the Win More States fund, which aims to raise and spend $3 million on marriage battles in Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Washington.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
www.glad.org

New England’s leading LGBT civil rights group, GLAD brought the legal case that led Massachusetts to be the first U.S. state to allow gay couples to marry. Current cases include a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act.

Human Rights Campaign
www.hrc.org

The nation’s largest LGBT political group includes the Americans for Marriage Equality campaign, which is bringing celebrity voices to the cause, and helps bring national attention and resources to battles around marriage equality.

HERE AT HOME

Georgia Equality
www.georgiaequality.org

Overturning the ban on marriage equality here isn’t yet at the top of the agenda for Georgia Equality. But efforts like Georgia Equality’s fight for a law to protect state employees from anti-LGBT job discrimination will eventually pave the way for that battle, and in the meantime, the group’s website offers an easy place to download the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care — which allows you to designate your partner to make medical decisions on your behalf.

Georgia Benefits Counsel
www.georgiabenefitscounsel.org

This relatively new nonprofit was created to provide free legal services to Georgians in same-sex relationships. Services include wills, financial powers of attorney and advance directives for health care.