West Virginia LGBT group to rally for gay rights

For the second year, a grassroots group of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) citizens and supporters plan to rally at the Cabell County courthouse in Huntington this Valentine's Day supporting same sex marriage in West Virginia. Encouraged by the first "Apply for Equality" event last Feb. 14, organizers Justin Murdock and fiancé William Glavaris along with straight ally Raine Klover are preparing for a bigger event. The rally will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, with interfaith speakers and an invocation, and run until 2 p.m. At the same time, same sex couples will enter the courthouse to apply for marriage licenses. "We understand and realize that just as last year, we won't be getting a marriage license this year," said Murdock. "... It's about making a public statement that we want equal rights to marriage in the state of West Virginia. There is momentum building for marriage equality on a state by state level and the federal level and we just want our friends and neighbors here in Cabell County and across West Virginia to know that it is not some 'far away' issue, but an issue that affects nearly 40,000 LGBT residents right here in West Virginia. Its time for a positive dialogue on marriage equality here at home."