E-mailed to the New York State Senate this afternoon:
Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen of the New York State Senate:
With the decision to sign into law the New Hampshire Marriage Equality bill, Governor Lynch demonstrates that civil marriage equity is indeed possible to achieve with protections for religious institutions and organizations with religious affiliations.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/national/6424408.html
Through specific wording of these bills, New Hampshire - along with Vermont and Connecticut - can bridge the divide and enact marriage equality in their states with no exposure to religious institutions.
I encourage you to consider your position on a similar law passing in New York State.
The LGBT community works here, lives here, and pays taxes here. Some of us have children who attend school here and many volunteer in our communities.
All we're asking for is an equal footing in protecting those we love and being able to enjoy the same civil and legal benefits accorded to others.
We do not wish to change religious thought or redefine religious definitions of marriage. What we want is simply to be recognized as equal citizens of this great state.
I urge you - consider the actions of these other wise bodies. And consider your vote with your heart and your conscience.
Thank you for your consideration and for your leadership.
4 comments:
Very sweetly put. It's amazing that all of this is taking place so soon after the past eight years.
This is another indication that the face of our country is changing. Not for better or worse.
I believe that the institution of marriage should be reserved for a man/woman relationship but it appears that more than a few governors don't believe the same thing. I accept it, move on, and realize that many are liberated by this legislation.
I feel that my home state of NJ may be the next to enact same same-sex legislation.
Even though I don't necessarily agree I applaud these governors for standing up for what they believe in. With any mass movement it's always the first few that have to make the toughest s because they are subject to the most criticism.
Ryan
Thanks for the response, Ryan.
It reminds us that we can have differing opinions while maintaining open minds and civil discourse.
Sadly, that civil discourse and willingness to hear what the other side is actually saying tends to be the exception rather than the rule - on either side.
Thanks for stopping by.
Nicely said, DuPree....or fabulously said.
It's about time.
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