Don't Forget to Write!

Before I even had my coffee this morning, I read in the Times that Governor Douglas of Vermont had announced his plan to veto a marriage rights bill if it passed in his state.  This is a bill with overwhelming support. And this is VERMONT!

Sean Chapin has started a letter writing movement through a group on facebook. And he wants us to write and let the Governor know how his action makes us feel.

Here's my letter:

Dear Governor Douglas,

I'm writing in hopes that I can persuade you to reconsider your decision to veto marriage equality in Vermont.

I ask you to reflect upon what it was that made you seek out a political life.  My guess is that among your reasons for choosing this career was not a desire to further discrimination-- to enshrine a separate but equal policy into your state's constitution.

That is exactly what your veto will do.

Sir, you find yourself in an extremely fortunate position.  For history will certainly remember you--few people ever find themselves in that position.  

The question to ask yourself is how would you like to be remembered?  Will you be recalled as a great man who fought for basic, equal rights for every citizen?  Or rather will time show you to be a man who chose to align himself with bigotry and discrimination.  A man who chose to continue marriage segregation when he so easily could have put a stop to it.

Ken O'Neill

www.themarryingkind.org

Below is Douglas's web address:

http://governor.vermont.gov/contact.html

Go, Chuck!!

I have been working on a new book and away from my blog.  But I could not let this moment pass without sharing that Sen. Chuck Schumer of my home state, New York has called for the repeal of DOMA and fully supports marriage equality!

According to Chuck:  It's time.  Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take the lead on this issue."

I couldn't agree more.