Today I continue with Congressman Thomas Rooney, Republican, representative of Florida's 16th Congressional District:
Dear Congressman Rooney,
As a concerned citizen I urge you to give your support to the cause of marriage equality, both in Florida and the nation as a whole. As a candidate you reportedly pledged to support so-called "traditional marriage," unfortunately registering your support for the unjust discrimination that remains the law of the land in most states. This stance puts you on the wrong side of history.
As a newly elected Congressman you should search your conscience and give some thought to your future place in the history of our Republic. Marriage equality is the great civil rights struggle of our generation, and future Americans will weigh present-day leaders in light of the stance each takes today while the battle is joined. Just as we look back on past supporters of slavery or Jim Crow with mixed incomprehension and distaste, today's advocates of marital apartheid will suffer the condemnation of posterity.
Because the issue is so pressing and the forces of discrimination remain robust, I and others feel that aggressive measures are necessary. We 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." Though the many state-level bans on marriage equality are in flagrant violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, a Marriage Equality Amendment is the surest and most durable means to bring our operative laws and institutions 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 recant your misguided pledge and lend your support to this campaign for fairness and decency. In any case I congratulate you upon your election to the House and hope this message finds you well.
Sincerely,
Andrew Meyer
As a newly elected Congressman you should search your conscience and give some thought to your future place in the history of our Republic. Marriage equality is the great civil rights struggle of our generation, and future Americans will weigh present-day leaders in light of the stance each takes today while the battle is joined. Just as we look back on past supporters of slavery or Jim Crow with mixed incomprehension and distaste, today's advocates of marital apartheid will suffer the condemnation of posterity.
Because the issue is so pressing and the forces of discrimination remain robust, I and others feel that aggressive measures are necessary. We 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." Though the many state-level bans on marriage equality are in flagrant violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, a Marriage Equality Amendment is the surest and most durable means to bring our operative laws and institutions 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 recant your misguided pledge and lend your support to this campaign for fairness and decency. In any case I congratulate you upon your election to the House and hope this message finds you well.
Sincerely,
Andrew Meyer
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