Florida (XVII) Congressman Bill Posey

Today I continue with Congressman Bill Posey, Republican, representative of Florida's 15th Congressional District:

Dear Congressman Posey,

I write to urge you to take the side of right in the ongoing debate over marriage equality in our country. As a newly elected Congressman, you have yet to establish a legislative record on this issue. You reportedly did endorse the recently passed Hate Amendment to the Florida constitution, however, which denies same-sex couples recognition of their right to marry. I implore you to reconsider your stance, Congressman, and side with the cause of justice rather than that of discrimination.

The freedom to marry the consenting partner of one's choice is an inalienable right, one that cannot be taken away even by a vote of the majority. This was the principle of marriage equality that informed the Supreme Court's decision in Loving vs. Virginia, when it struck down the democratically instituted "anti-miscegenation laws" then current in much of the United States. The same principle of marriage equality applies with respect to same-sex couples today. One cannot arbitrarily deny a whole class of people 1,138 benefits and protections and still insist that they nonetheless enjoy equal opportunity of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The current state of marital apartheid in this country is a legal absurdity and a moral offense; it can not stand indefinitely.

For this reason I and others have proposed that the United States 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 reform would redress the injustice wrought by travesties like Florida's Hate Amendment and California's "Proposition Eight." It is the surest and most durable means to bringing our laws into alignment with the basic rights of our citizens.

I have set out to write every member of Congress seeking support for this change to our basic law. Perhaps on reflection you will see the rightness of this cause and lend your voice to our campaign. In any case I hope this message finds you well and wish you success in your new office.

Sincerely,

Andrew Meyer