Dear Friend,
If you think child marriage is a thing of the past, you are unfortunately mistaken.
Between 2000 and 2021, over 300,000 minors were married in the United States. In more than 65,000 of those unions — most of which are young girls wed to adult men — the spousal age gap would otherwise have been considered a sex crime. This is unconscionable, especially because young people who marry under the age of 18 are significantly more likely to experience violence, rape, and other disastrous health, education, and economic outcomes.
American Atheists is leading the fight to end child marriage, which is often justified with religious dogma, and we’re succeeding: Since 2018, our policy team and our partners at the National Coalition to End Child Marriage have gotten laws passed in 16 states that prohibit unions under the age of 18 without exception.
This progress is only possible because of the support of our members. Will you make a tax-deductible donation today to help us finish the job?
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But the unfortunate truth is that child marriage remains legal in 34 states. Right now, Ohio is considering a life-saving bill that will end child marriage in the state by closing legal loopholes that currently allow minors to marry. American Atheists is actively supporting this bill by mobilizing our members in Ohio to voice their support, give testimony, and inform the public about this important issue.
We know our advocacy works. This year alone, we’ve already been successful in two other states that are considering similar bans on child marriage: Colorado’s SB 048 and Oklahoma’s SB 504 have both advanced, thanks in no small part to our advocacy — and, of course, the supporters who make our work possible.
As atheists, we abhor the thought of any child being forced into a marriage from which they can’t escape because they are minors. We won’t quit until child marriage is prohibited in all 50 states.
In solidarity,
Sam McGuire
Director of Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy
PS: American Atheists is committed to ending child marriage in all 50 states. We serve on the steering committee for the National Coalition to End Child Marriage, and alongside partners like Unchained at Last and EqualityNow, we’re promoting commonsense, evidence-based legislation to protect children’s right never to be forced to endure an abusive relationship or coerced into marriage by a parent, guardian, or religious leader.
In such a deeply divided country, ending child marriage is one of the few policy areas where we’re seeing bipartisan support, but turning that into law requires organizing and resources. Please give generously to sustain our momentum.
American Atheists is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, nonprofit educational organization that relies on the support of members like you. Contributions are tax-deductible. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 74-2466507.
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