Stop the "same sex marriage" amendment to US Const

Synthpopalooza · Post by **Synthpopalooza** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 4:49 pm

Hey folks ... I just heard this bit of disturbing info:

In less than 48 hours, Congress will vote on an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would permanently deny marriage equality to same-sex couples. This is unprecedented -- never before has our Constitution been amended to take away anyone's rights. We've got to fight back.

Please sign on to our emergency petition to Congress to stop this divisive amendment at:

http://www.moveon.org/unitednotdivided/

Then please ask your friends and family to sign, by forwarding them this email. We'll deliver our comments tomorrow, before the vote, so we need as many people as possible to sign on today.

President Bush campaigned on a promise to unite us, not divide us. Yet today, as people are questioning Bush's handling of everything from the war in Iraq to the economy, Bush and his friends are trying to distract voters from the real issues by turning to the politics of division and hate.

If America stands for anything, it stands for equal rights and opportunities for everyone. Throughout our history, we've struggled to guarantee that equality: ending slavery; securing voting rights for women; and passing the Civil Rights Act just 40 years ago.

Equality in marriage is the civil rights issue of our generation. We can't let anyone, or any group, be singled out for discrimination based on who they are or who they love.

When two people make a deep personal commitment, taking responsibility for each other and doing all the work of marriage, they should be able to share in the legal benefits of marriage as well. These benefits include access to health care and medical decision-making for one's partner and children, parenting and immigration rights, inheritance, taxation, and Social Security benefits.

This isn't a partisan issue, notwithstanding Bush's pandering to his right-wing base. Former President Gerald Ford, a Republican, said this about same-sex couples and marriage: "I think they ought to be treated equally. Period."1 Also, many major corporations, including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Disney, Coors, and IBM, offer health insurance and other benefits to their employees' same-sex partners. Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) says the amendment is "Nuts... To be seen as the party that's coming between two people that love each other doing what they want to do... to me that's going to be seen as a liability, politically."2

Yet President Bush is bent on moving America backward, by enshrining discrimination in the United States Constitution.

Don't let him divide us like this. Go to:

http://www.moveon.org/unitednotdivided/

Please help make sure your friends have signed on too, before we deliver this petition tomorrow.

Thank you.

I've already signed my name and sent my messaged to Bush and Congress. Now it's your turn! We only have 48 hours left before the vote.

junkie christ · Post by **junkie christ** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 5:39 pm

done... but i dont think it will help.

karmakaze · Post by **karmakaze** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 7:50 pm

hey junkie want to go to cali and get hitched? we have 2 days.

gray · Post by **gray** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 8:55 pm

Done...

For anyone interested here is my Comment so to speak:

The fundamental American idea of Freedom and Liberty is based on legally and publicly established equality. This equality extends to all people within the United States including citizens from every national, racial, and religious background. This equality provides us the freedom to choose and practice any cultural path we choose so long as that path does not infringe on the very same freedom and equality enjoyed by other citizens. Put simply, one group's decision to recognize homosexual union as marriage is balanced by another group's decision to not recognize homosexual union as marriage. Any law or amendment that federally defines marriage according to the doctrine of a single religious group is unconstitutional and irreprehensible. This action is no different than an act which would bar an interracial marriage. The designation of homosexual unions as separate from heterosexual unions only promotes a separatist and special interest agenda. The result is neither equitable or just. I strongly urge you to reconsider this amendment lest it pave the way for more dangerous amendments in the future. While a government must respect the doctrine of it's people, it cannot establish or promote a single doctrine above others.

That should about nail it.

Mother Mo · Post by **Mother Mo** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 10:49 pm

Well said, Gray.

I have faith that in time, reason will win out, but we may not yet have arrived at that time.

Vachy · Post by **Vachy** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 10:52 pm

Wow. This is really, really wrong. I "signed" it, and I'll post the link wherever I can. This really should have been a more televised issue. I've heard nothing about this before now. My comment was what about that other right, the one that says there is no descrimination on the basis of sex? Seems like it should be taken into consideration here...

I really am appauled. This is a huge step backwards. They are basically saying that homosexuality is wrong. And if they are afraid this will change things too much, we will never get anywhere by being afraid of change or progress.

Onibubba · Post by **Onibubba** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:11 am

I know this is just from the declaration of independence and not the mighty consititution, but didn't people once hold these thoughts sacred?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Maybe someday, when we don't have anyone to hate, belittle, and subjugate, that will all sink in...Then again, I doubt it.

Lost Traveler · Post by **Lost Traveler** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 12:24 pm

news today is that the whole thing might get stopped.

Nigredo · Post by **Nigredo** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:26 pm

I did this. :-)

Just watched the 6pm News and it pisses my off. Why can't we just let people be who they are. :roar:

The Stormstress · Post by **The Stormstress** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:03 pm

This is about the 10th action that I'v taken on this issue... hope it actually makez a difference!

white_darkness · Post by **white_darkness** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 4:26 pm

It's been canned, however it'll now become an issue for the elections and struggle for control of congress later this year.

iblis · Post by **iblis** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:57 pm

Hmph.

Gay marriage is ok, so long as they don't go having children. I mean, gay people raising children? Holy damn! That's almost as bad as straight people having kids.

Fucking weirdos.

JaNell · Post by **JaNell** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:15 am

iblis wrote:Hmph.

Gay marriage is ok, so long as they don't go having children. I mean, gay people raising children? Holy damn! That's almost as bad as straight people having kids.

Fucking weirdos.

Yeah, I can just hear the playground taunting now...

You're ugly and your mamas wear overalls!
or
You're ugly and your daddies dress you metrosexual!