Lovings on front steps of house, c.a. 1965
Thesis
In 1959, Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, were arrested in Virginia for miscegenation, the unlawful mixing of two races. The United States Supreme Court granted them the right to be legally married, breaking century long barriers of racist laws which prevented people marrying whomever they wanted. This landmark case paved the way for marriage equality in the United States.
"Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State."
~Chief Justice Earl Warren, 1967
The Love Story
Richard Loving, a white man, and Mildred Jeter, a woman of black and Native American descent, were born in Central Point, Virginia, where white and black people socialized. They met when he visited her house to listen to her brothers play music. The couple fought anti-miscegenation laws so they could legally marry in Virginia and live as a family with their children; Sydney, Donald, and Peggy.
Mildred and Richard Loving, 1965
"I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about."
~Mildred Loving, 40th Anniversary of Landmark Case, 2007
Header photo: The Lovings, 1965, Grey Villet/Monroe Gallery of Photography