Georgia (IX) Congressman John Linder

Today I continue with Congressman John Linder, Republican, representative of Georgia's 7th Congressional District:

Dear Congressman Linder,

I write in protest of your opposition to marriage equality. You have persistently supported efforts to deny same-sex couples of their right to marry, even as far as co-sponsoring a bill calling for the amendment of the U.S. constitution to permanently and universally bar same-sex couples from the marital bond. Such an amendment would have been a travesty of justice and a black mark upon our nation's history, standing as one of the few times when our nation's basic law had been utilized to deprive citizens of their rights.

Marriage to the consenting partner of one's choice is indeed a natural and inalienable right. Such was the finding of the Supreme Court in Loving v. Virginia, which overturned state bans on so-called "interracial marriage." The same principle of marriage equality that applied then in the case of race applies now with respect to gender. If two adults come together in mutual love, care, and fidelity, to deny them the 1,138 protections and benefits their compatriots may take for granted simply because they are of the same gender is rank discrimination.

Your actions up to this point put you squarely on the wrong side of history, Congressman. Future generations will look back and judge those who opposed marriage equality in the same light that we view past opponents of the civil rights movement today. There is still time to repair your legacy, however. I and others propose that the Constitution should be amended in the opposite manner you endorsed, 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." If you recanted your former stance and took up the cause of this amendment it would go a long way toward atoning for your past assaults upon the rights of fellow Americans.

I have set out to write every member of Congress seeking support for this Marriage Equality Amendment. Perhaps on reflection you will lend your voice to this cause. In any case I thank you for your attention on this matter and hope this message finds you well.

Sincerely,

Andrew Meyer