ACTION ALERT: Arizona Constitutional Marriage Amendment

This afternoon, I received an email from my very wingnutty stepfather. This is not surprising; he sends me wingnut missives on a fairly regular basis. Today's ACTION ALERT is regarding the attempts by certain Arizona legislators to define marriage as "between one man and one woman", and was excreted originally by The Center for Arizona Policy; a very very scary organization.

They tried to pass this in 2006, under Arizona Proposition 107, but it failed to pass. I may be moving from Arizona this month, but I would like to leave it somehow better than it was when I arrived. This narrowminded amendment needs to be shouted down. These "Protect Marriage" people are incensed that some large employers, including state and county entities, do cover some domestic partner benefits. I'd like to give them something to chew on - that all the people of Arizona are not such bigots as to support a renewed charge for a marriage amendment.

Here's the email:

FROM: Cathi Herrod, President
Action Alert - Support Marriage at the State Capitol!

Today, Senate President Tim Bee and House Speaker Jim Weiers introduced a constitutional amendment to define marriage in the Arizona Constitution as follows:

"Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

Known as a referendum, the measure already has enough sponsors to pass in both the Senate and the House. A referendum goes to the voters without requiring any action by the Governor.

ACTION NEEDED:

  1. Call or email your state senator and your two state representatives TODAY by clicking here. Politely ask them to support HCR 2065 and SCR 1038.
  2. Call or email President Bee (602-926-5683, [e-mail]) and Speaker Weiers (602-926-4173, [e-mail]) and thank them for their leadership in giving the people the chance to decide the future of marriage.

TALKING POINTS:

   * This amendment brings Arizonans together on an issue where there is widespread agreement - that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.
   * This amendment allows the people of Arizona to decide the future of marriage in our state. Not the judges. Not the politicians. The people have the right to define marriage in our state constitution.
   * The majority of Arizonans believe marriage should remain one man and one woman. This referendum allows the voters to decide if the Arizona Constitution should reflect and protect that belief.
   * This amendment was not considered by the voters in 2006. This amendment is not about disagreements about benefits or domestic partnerships. This amendment simply is about defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The Center for Arizona Policy
email: [e-mail]
phone: [phone] or 1-800-FAMILY-1

www.azpolicy.org

Now, I did go to their website and write a response, and I think it would be great if some of you would do the same. Why not use TCAP's servers against their agendas? heh heh heh

Here's my email:

Subject: Please do NOT support HCR 2065 and SCR 1038

Please do not support these divisive and discriminatory bills; do not attempt to amend the Arizona Constitution to exclude adults from legalizing their consensual relationships. Arizona needs to move into the twenty-first century, and recognize that a family is defined more by that family than by the government.

Families consist of single parents, divorced parents, cohabitating parents, and more. These people need legal protections, and civil marriage is a fair way to provide such protections. Religious marriage should be defined by the religious entities involved, but the state has no place in this decision. Smaller government, remember?

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Mr. & Mrs. Emeraldmaiden

I just received my confirmations that these emails were sent to Senator Pesquiera, Representative Hershberger, and Representative Young Wright. I do not believe that these people will listen to me alone. Please add your voice, especially if you are in Arizona.