California (XIX) Congressman Sam Farr

Today I continue with Congressman Sam Farr, representative of California's 17th Congressional District:

Dear Congressman Farr,

I write to you as a concerned citizen to solicit your support for a Marriage Equality Amendment that would recognize the right of same-sex couples to marry throughout the United States. You have taken up the cause of LGBT rights, co-sponsoring H. Con. Res. 328 of the 110th Congress, in support of the National Day of Silence commemorated to raise awareness of the harassment that LGBT teens face in school. Marriage equality is an equally fundamental civil rights issue. Just as no one should face bullying or harassment simply because of who he or she is, no one should be excluded from a universal institution the benefits of which all citizens enjoy just because of whom he or she loves.

The passage of Proposition 8 in California underscores the urgency of the issue in today's politics. It is bad enough that same-sex couples should be denied enjoyment of marital rights by the status quo conditions of our laws and institutions, far worse when they should see hard-won recognition of those rights stripped away by the whim of a slender majority of voters. If your deed is as good as your word, Congressman, you will join in efforts to redress this injustice and secure the civil rights of all citizens.

The surest way to safeguard the right to marry the partner of one's choice is to amend the U.S. Constitution 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." I have set out to write every member of Congress requesting support for this amendment. If you truly care about the civil rights of all Americans, I ask that you please consider lending this reform your efforts in the House.

Thank you for your attention on this matter. I hope this message finds you well.

Sincerely,

Andrew Meyer