Contact: Kristin Paltzer
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Diamond Nexus Supports Marriage Equality Effort
Milwaukee, WI — April 9, 2014 — Diamond Nexus; one of the largest online, lab-created engagement jewelers in the country; has announced its official sponsorship of PrideFest Milwaukee, and its partnership with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in support of marriage equality. Diamond Nexus is also the first official lab-created jeweler and crown maker for the Miss Universe Organization.
Through these partnerships Diamond Nexus, the first major online jeweler and one of the first companies in the state to publicly back the marriage equality effort, will support PrideFest and the ACLU through PrideFest’s “Plus 1” campaign. This campaign gives festival attendees the opportunity to donate $1 at the time of ticket purchase, with all proceeds donated to the ACLU in support of the “Freedom to Marry” campaign. Diamond Nexus has committed to match donated dollars up to $10,000 to support the state effort.
Money raised through the “Plus 1” campaign will be used to support the ACLU Foundation’s federal lawsuit, filed in February, challenging Wisconsin’s ban on same-sex marriage. The ACLU, along with the law firm of Mayer Brown, filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of four same-sex couples who wish to marry in Wisconsin or are seeking recognition for their legal out-of-state marriages. A total of 18 states and DC including Wisconsin’s boarder states (Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois) have state-level marriage equality laws, however, Wisconsin’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples prevents them from securing the hundreds of protections that state law provides to married couples.
“I am excited both personally and as CEO of the company to show our support for the LGBT community,” said Gary LaCourt, CEO of Diamond Nexus. “Diamond Nexus believes all couples have the right to express love equally and we are glad to get behind this community and join the push for change.”
As a sponsor of PrideFest Milwaukee, Diamond Nexus will also be sponsoring a celebratory commitment ceremony to be held during the June festival for couples, which will include the four Wisconsin couples named in the ACLU lawsuit.
Diamond Nexus also is demonstrating its support of marriage equality by unveiling its “Love Equally” collection, a unique collection of rings designed for the LGBT community. In similar fashion for all Diamond Nexus customers, same-sex couples will also have the opportunity to design their own, custom rings through Diamond Nexus’ unique design center.
An official announcement reception was held on Friday April 4 at Black Sheep (216 South 2nd Street, Milwaukee, Wis.) and included members of The ACLU, PrideFest, and Diamond Nexus. The reception also included plaintiffs represented in the federal lawsuit filed with the state.
About Diamond Nexus
Diamond Nexus is a world leader in lab-created diamonds and simulant jewelry. Founded in 2004 in greater Milwaukee, the company is one of the largest online engagement jewelers in the country committed to bringing high-quality, environmentally sustainable and ethically sound jewelry to customers at affordable prices.
NBC Universal selected Diamond Nexus as the official jeweler and crown maker for the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), making the company the first official lab-created jeweler and crown maker for the Miss Universe Organization, including eco-friendly crowns for Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Diamond Nexus has been ranked as one of the best engagement jewelers in the county three years in a row by TheKnot.com. For more information, visit www.diamondnexus.com.
About PrideFest Milwaukee
PrideFest Milwaukee has been a strong force over the past 27 years in Wisconsin’s LGBT Community. Producing one of the largest LGBT celebrations in the country, PrideFest Milwaukee continues to support LGBT issues across the state, offering support and assistance to neighboring LGBT organizations.
About the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin
The ACLU of Wisconsin is the state affiliate of the national ACLU and is a non-profit, non-partisan, private organization. The ACLU of Wisconsin has 7,000 members and is dedicated to defending the civil liberties and civil rights of all Wisconsin residents.
As a card-carrying member of the ACLU of Wisconsin, you are actively supporting the public policy analysis, lobbying and advocacy efforts that advance individual rights in our state and federal legislature. The ACLU of Wisconsin never accepts funds from governmental sources. It relies on annual dues from members and other private donations.
