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How Padma Is Supporting Marriage Equality

The 'Top Chef' host has joined the HRC campaign for LGBT unions.

Oct 24, 2014, 10:59 AM ET

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign in support of marriage equality. Padma joins a group of high-profile celebrities - including Susan Sarandon and Anthony Bordain - who have recorded video messages to help the HRC, the country's largest civil rights organization focused on LGBT Americans, relaunch their marriage equality campaign.

In the 40-second video, the host and author introduces herself, "Hi, I'm Padma Lakshi and I'm an American for marriage equality." Padma goes on to share her one of the personal reasons she supports equal marriage rights. "I can't imagine a fair and just world where my cousin didn't have the same right to love who he wanted, get married, start a family and enjoy all of the benefits that I do."

The video ends on an optimistic note, with Padma reminding supporters that if recent opinion polls are an indication, marriage rights for all may soon be a reality, "Join me, and the majority of Americans who support nation-wide marriage equality."

This isn't the first time Padma has spoken out in support of marriage rights for LGBT Americans. Last year, when the Supreme Court shut down key parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that denied benefits to legally married same-sex couples, Padma tweeted her joy. "Hurray for all Americans and good riddance to DOMA," she wrote. "It's a new day. A happy day."