The American Civil Liberties Union's primary work is litigation, but this month it's moonlighting as a wedding planner as part of its role in the campaign to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide.
The beneficiaries are five gay and lesbian couples from across the U.S. who, out of a field of some 400 entries, were announced as winners of the ACLU's My Big Gay (Il)Legal Wedding contest.
Each couple lives in a state where same-sex marriage is outlawed. They will get logistical and financial help — up to $5,000 — from the ACLU to get married the week of April 28 in one of the 17 states, plus Washington D.C., which do allow gay marriage.