Matt McTighe to join Gill Action as Marriage Project Director

Leader of winning Maine marriage equality campaign will direct marriage work

DENVER, March 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gill Action announces that long-time lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and marriage equality advocate Matt McTighe will join the Gill Action team as its Marriage Project Director.  McTighe was at the helm of the marriage initiative in Maine that was among the first in the nation to win the freedom to marry at the ballot box, part of a breakthrough year for marriage at the polls in 2012.

McTighe, who most recently served as the general consultant to the Rhode Island marriage initiative, has previously worked to defeat anti-marriage amendments in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He also worked as a Public Policy Advisor for the Human Rights Campaign.  He joins the team of operatives at Gill Action working to advance LGBT initiatives and elect pro-equality candidates across the country. 

"We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Matt's proven track record of winning join the outstanding team working here at Gill Action," said founder, Tim Gill. "Matt has demonstrated success both legislatively and at the ballot box, and his leadership will enhance our engagement on state-level marriage battles across the nation."

As Marriage Project Director, McTighe will work closely with the crop of legislative campaigns advancing marriage equality in 2013, while also assisting other states engaged in efforts to advance LGBT equality.

"I have worked closely with Matt as far back as 2004 during the campaign to defeat a federal constitutional amendment excluding gay and lesbian couples from marriage," said Gill Action Executive Director, Kirk Fordham.  "He will be an invaluable asset to the state campaigns working to win the freedom to marry this year.  We couldn't be more pleased that Gill Action has secured the talents of such a dedicated and skilled campaign operative."

"Over the last 10 years, I have seen firsthand the incredible leadership that Tim Gill and his team have brought to this movement to ensure equality for all LGBT Americans," McTighe said.  "I am honored to join Gill Action, which has done so much to help the movement win on so many fronts. I look forward to being a resource to those still waiting for the day when, they too, will achieve marriage equality for all loving, committed couples in their state." 

SOURCE Gill Action