Arizona (VI) Congressman Harry Mitchell

Today I continue with the Democratic representative of Arizona's 5th District, Congressman Harry Mitchell:

Dear Congressman Mitchell,

I write to you as a fellow American to request your support for a Marriage Equality Amendment that would recognize the rights of same-sex couples to marry. Since your election in 2006 you have proven a dynamic and engaged new presence in the Democratic caucus, cosponsoring a sweeping GI Bill with Senator Jim Webb in support of our brave men and women in the armed forces. You have shown yourself responsive to the concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens, earning a rating of "70%" on the Human Rights Campaign's Congressional Scorecard.

On your website you celebrate your forty-five years of marriage to your high school sweetheart, Marianne, which has produced two children and five grandchildren. Surely a marriage as long and fulfilled as yours has not been without trials or sacrifices. Imagine if, in addition to all of the incidental impediments that life threw in your way, you had been faced with discriminatory laws and institutions that did not acknowledge your and your wife's commitment to one-another or your shared resolve to protect and nurture your family. That is the situation faced by millions of same-sex couples living, working, and struggling together today. Many have been together for decades and are caring for children as did you and Marianne. They are in urgent need of aid, will you not rally to their cause as you did to that of our veterans?

Same-sex couples will not be able to thrive in full enjoyment of the rights they are due as citizens until our U.S. Constitution is amended to read, "The right to marry shall not be abridged or denied by the United States or any state on account of sex or sexual orientation." Would you be willing, in concert with colleagues in the House and Senate, to sponsor such an amendment or one like it? I appeal to your proven sense of fairness and patriotism.

Thank you for your good work on behalf of our veterans and for your attention in this matter. I hope this message finds you well.

Sincerely,

Andrew Meyer