Black people–and our Black spouses, partners, children, relatives, and friends–are part of the Loving Day community. When the lives of Black people are threatened or taken, we cannot be silent. We need to act.

As a community of couples, individuals, families, organizations, and volunteers, we have built a Loving Day tradition over many years. Let's come together in support of Black lives and justice.

Loving Day was inspired by the Loving v. Virginia (1967) U.S. Supreme Court decision, and Richard and Mildred Loving's fight for justice as an interracial couple. For years, people have observed Loving Day in many personal and meaningful ways. We ask you to continue that tradition by joining us and our multiethnic community in these actions.

SOLIDARITY

Loving Day is a tradition that connects us as a multiethnic community. Let's commit to standing together in solidarity against anti-Black violence and racial injustice.

VISIBILITY

Loving Day brings visibility to the multiethnic community. We can share that visibility in meaningful ways. Let's commit to bringing visibility to the Black community and issues of anti-Blackness.

LEARN

Loving Day is an opportunity to learn about racial injustice. When Richard and Mildred Loving were arrested, imprisoned, and banished from Virginia for their interracial marriage in 1958, they faced a part of the long-standing systemic and institutionalized racism that continues today. Let's commit to educating ourselves about the systems that harm the Black community.

LISTEN

Loving Day supporters include people with wide-ranging racial identities and experiences. Some identify as Black. Some are in community with Black folks through friendships, relationships, or family. Let's commit to listening to the lived experiences of Black people and acknowledge the privilege that some of us have.

SPEAK

Loving Day is a way to start conversations about racial injustice. Let's commit to using our voices to speak up against anti-Black racism in all of the spaces we have access to.

VOTE

Loving v. Virginia was a U.S. Supreme Court case, but there are many ways to change unjust laws and systems. Let's commit to informing ourselves about elections at every level, and to using the power of our votes.

LOVE

The Loving Day name is not just a reference to a real couple and their landmark court case. It also represents the love we give to each other. Let's commit to acting from a place of love and compassion, especially in support of the Black community.

RESPECT

Over the years, we have wished you "happy Loving Day," hosted Loving Day Celebrations, and encouraged you to host them for family, friends, and communities. Joy should be a part of our lives. But this moment calls for a meaningful pause to celebration. If Loving Day is important to you (as it is to us), please observe it in a respectful way that centers Black lives and racial justice. And in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, be safe for yourself and others.

SUSTAIN

Loving Day is an annual observation, but its meaning is valuable throughout the year. Actions in support of Black lives and justice should not be limited to a day or a moment in history. Let's commit to finding ways to make positive change for the long haul. Change takes our sustained commitment.

DONATE

Loving Day would not exist without volunteers and donations. But most importantly, Loving Day would not exist without you. We make a difference by acting together. If you can, we ask you to donate to movements and organizations working against anti-Black racism.

We've suggested some larger organizations below, but we encourage you to find and support your local Black-led organizations.

Black Lives Matter, who is "committed to struggling together and to imagining and creating a world free of anti-Blackness, where every Black person has the social, economic, and political power to thrive."

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, who is "America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice," and who supported Richard and Mildred Loving through a legal brief to the Supreme Court.

The ACLU (with local chapters in every state), whose "Racial Justice Program aims to preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race." They provided free legal defense for Richard and Mildred Loving in the U.S. Supreme Court, and for many of the years it took to get there.

These words came together through listening, and with the help of our community. We will continue to listen. We hope there will be more conversations and actions by many more people that will drive meaningful change.