Greetings Everyone -
With all that is going on in the world, it is difficult sometimes to focus on taking care of our families and friends and ultimately anyone else who may be in need (help to the tsunami victims, for example). I recognize that we all lead busy lives, and cannot take one every 'battle' that comes across our desk or inbox or family dinner table, but you have any sympathies towards civil rights, please read and take action, if only to click on the email link to say, please vote "no" on HF 0006.
Let's not be one of the states that legislates discrimination. Please write the letters, emails and connect with anyone you can to prevent this from passing. If you are willing to write a letter as I have and you find it difficult what to write about, I've listed some talking points and put a list of House Members Names and emails at the bottom of this email, as a friendly gesture.
Equality is an issue important to me and I trust it is for you also. Thanks for hearing me out.
Minnesota’s Anti-Marriage Amendment has been introduced! A Constitutional Amendment to bar all legal recognition of same-sex couples was introduced in session last Thursday, as House File 0006 (HF006). We will need your help to defeat this Amendment and keep Minnesota a fair-minded state!
Within two days of the start of the 2005 legislative session, Mary Liz Holberg, R (36A-Lakeville), Jeff Johnson, R (43A-Plymouth), Paul Gazelka, R (12A-Brainerd), Sondra Erickson (R-16A-Princeton) and Dan Severson (R-14A-Sauk Rapids) introduced a bill in the Minnesota House, proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that “only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota. Any other relationship shall not be recognized as a marriage or its legal equivalent.”
FROM: http://www.outfront.org/
"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in." Theodore Roosevelt
Talking points on marriage equality
GLBT People and Marriage
Growing up, each of us is taught that one day finding a soul mate and building a life together is an integral part of the American dream, and GLBT people share in that dream. Gay and lesbian couples share their lives, their loves, and their hearts just like any other couple does.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples are patriotic, hard-working citizens who pay their taxes and support their country the same as any other American. GLBT couples love each other just as deeply and their commitment to one another is just as resolute as it is for heterosexual couples.
The 2000 Census showed that same-sex couples are living in nearly every county in this country. Estimates from the Census and other studies show that there are at least 1 million children in America being raised by GLBT parents. All children deserve the stability and protections that come from having two parents who are legally bonded by marriage. Discriminating against children just because of who their parents happen to be is wrong.
Marriage is a major building block for strong families and communities. Denying marriage to GLBT couples weakens GLBT couples and families.
The Basics of Marriage
Through marriage, couples are granted more than 1,000 federal rights, benefits and responsibilities under law - along with hundreds of state level rights and protections. The government uses the legal recognition of marriage to grant these rights, which include Social Security survivor benefits, hospital visitation rights and the ability to inherit a spouse's property without being taxed.
Many of the rights that come with marriage are recently established rights, not age-old traditions. For example, Social Security was established in 1935. Survivor's insurance was added in 1939. Family and medical leave didn't come into existence until the '90s.
Domestic partnership and civil unions are important steps to full marriage equality for GLBT couples - but they ultimately support the notion that GLBT couples are separate and unequal from other Americans, which is wrong.
Recognizing that GLBT couples have the same need for rights and protections that other couples do does not undermine or harm marriage rights of heterosexual couples. How can GLBT couples and families receiving the rights and responsibilities of marriage harm heterosexual marriage?
Shouldn't groups that support family values, value all families? Americans who support family values should support strengthening all American families.
Religious vs. Civil Marriage
Civil marriage and religious marriage are two separate things. Religious institutions will never be forced to bless relationships with which they disagree, just as today religious institutions can refuse to marry couples of different faiths or individuals who have been divorced.
Many religions and faith based traditions recognize and welcome gay and lesbian couples into their congregations - others do not. Religious institutions will always be able to define marriage as they see fit, however the state should treat all people and all families equally under the law.
Public Opinion
The country is grappling with this issue. We must educate people on the rights that come with a marriage license, and the difference between civil and religious marriage, and we must ensure that fairness is always a part of the discussion.
Majority support does not make something right or wrong. In 1983, 16 years after the Supreme Court struck down anti-interracial marriage laws in Loving v. Virginia, only 43 percent of Americans approved of interracial marriage.
In 1948, 19 years before the Supreme Court's ruling in Loving v. Virginia, the California Supreme Court ruled on an interracial case, Perez v. Lippold, with a four justice majority affirming the right of interracial marriages. The majority opinion said that each person seeking a license to marry the "wrong" kind of person, "finds himself barred by law from marrying the person of his choice and that person to him may be irreplaceable. Human beings are bereft of worth and dignity by a doctrine that would make them as interchangeable as trains."
The decision in Perez, marked the beginning of the end of race discrimination in marriage -- before legislators in most states were willing to stand against discrimination, and before the polls showed the public's acceptance of equality in marriage or other civil rights. Some state had to show leadership, and the court was properly asked to provide it through a direct and timely challenge to existing discrimination. History has upheld that decision, and we now view those judges as civil rights heroes.
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