Protect Marriage (for everyone!)

To whom this may concern, which should include every American imaginable:

I am writing today because I wanted to be sure that you have heard from the tens of millions of Americans who firmly believe that marriage should be allowed equally for everyone, with no restrictions based on gender constructs or sexual preferences.

Too often we have remained silent, watching helplessly as events are put into place by religious bigots across the country to create a second class citizenry. Today I am writing to urge you to take action to protect the marriage rights of gay and lesbian Americans everywhere.

In a much-needed ruling federal judge Vaughn Walker determined that California's Proposition 8 was unconstitutional, reinstating the decision of the California Supreme Court in 2008 that finally legalized same-sex marriage and created an equal citizenry for everyone. The 7 million Californians that voted to restrict marriage were wrong to do so, and I hope your carefully reviewed examination of the matter comes to the same conclusion.

Forty-four states have now adopted laws restricting the definition of marriage to only a man and woman, depriving millions of gays and lesbians of the full equality gauranteed to them by the Constitution. Out of thirty states where a constitutional amendment on marriage has gone to the people there is a measurable increase in stress and hate crimes directed against members of the LGBT community. Overwhelming margins in these elections perpetuate the extreme hate regarding a decision that has no bearing on the lives of straight Americans anywhere.

The answer is simple common sense: enforce equality for EVERYONE, not bigotry. The shared wisdom of our founders must be listened to, and not denied to a minority. Marriage connects families, partners, children, friends, and established a community in itself that is beneficial to all within it. Please do not deny this basic fundamental right to people that are forced to consider themselves second class citizens. A child's love and support from his or her same-sex parents is not enough; full protection under the law is required as well, and is what every child deserves.

I urge you to take whatever action necessary to protect marriage for everyone, gay and straight alike. A constitutional amendment to ban marriage for anyone is the wrong thing to do. Please listen to and understand the wisdom of Judge Walker's ruling, for my sake and the sake of millions of other LGBT peaple alike.

Thank you for your time,

~Eric Taylor Bennett