Florida (XII) Congressman C.W. Bill Young

Today I continue with Congressman C.W. Bill Young, Republican, representative of Florida's 10th Congressional District:

Dear Congressman Young,

I write in protest of your opposition to marriage equality. You twice voted in favor of a federal constitutional amendment that would have denied recognition to the marriage rights of same-sex couples throughout the U.S. Moreover, you have received a 0% rating for each of the last three Congresses from the Human Rights Campaign, denoting a general antipathy toward the LGBT community.

The freedom to marry the consenting partner of one's choice is a basic and inalienable right. Marriage is the sole kinship relationship an individual may freely choose. This is why it has always been deemed the closest and most binding connection an individual may have under U.S. law. To deny citizens the right to form marital bonds is thus an abridgment of their capacity for liberty and the pursuit of happiness that is anathema to the founding principles of our Republic. Moreover, marriage brings with it 1,138 benefits and protections under federal law. Denial of marriage rights to a whole class of citizens is thus in flagrant violation of the 14th Amendment's promise of "equal protection of the law."

Unfortunately many in this country share your prejudices. Therefore I and others propose that the U.S. constitution be 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." Such a Marriage Equality Amendment is the surest and most durable way to bring our laws into alignment with the basic rights of our citizens.

Marriage equality is the great civil rights struggle of our generation, and will be the gauge of how current leaders are measured in years to come. Perhaps on reflection you will see the error of your current stance and redeem your place in the future history of our nation. In any case I thank you for your attention on this matter and hope this message finds you well.

Sincerely,

Andrew Meyer