Marriage Equality Amendment

PLEASE READ EVERYTHING CAREFULLY, so that you understand this proposal. Thank you - Dale Sheldon

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I am proposing an Amendment to our US Constitution that can solve the problem of marriage in the United States. It will protect the definition of "marriage", give everyone full civil rights in marriage (which will now be referred to as "civil union") and allow everyone their full right to freedom of religion.

Here is a letter that I have written to the future President of the United States. By writing to him and asking for his support, I'm hoping to also gain the attention of the American people, Senators and Representatives.

BUT!!! Before I show the letter here, let me explain why I have written this and how I came to this conclusion. -

I am a gay man in a committed and loving relationship with my partner. He is a Brazilian national which means that even if our state (California) did allow gay marriage, our marriage would not be recognized. Why? Because of DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) which was passed by Clinton and defines marriage on a Federal level as between a man and a woman. This means that, no matter what, gay married couples cannot file joint federal tax returns and cannot file their marriage for immigration purposes.

When my "husband" and I first started talking about the fight for gay marriage, there was some confusion. He did not understand why we were fighting for gay marriage because "marriage" was a religious term and had nothing to do with law. What? In Brazil, and other countries, a heterosexual couple will "marry" in the church, but if they want legal rights with that marriage they file a "civil union" with the court. "Marriage" has nothing to do with law! What a concept right? The separation of church and state. This is the basis of my proposal for a new amendment.

Additionally, I have continually heard from opponents to gay marriage (including President-Elect Obama) that they are "against gay marriage but are for civil unions and full civil rights for gay couples". So this idea is, in effect, of their own making. To be against this proposal AND gay marriage, would in effect deem that they are prejudiced against the gay community. They are, basically, obligated to agree - by their own words.

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So, without further ado.... here is the letter: Please copy this, forward it, send it by e-mail, bulletin, post, etc. Lets try to get this to our future President and everyone else and make a difference in our great country!

Dear Mr. President ! :)

It is SO great to say that. Congratulations! I finally feel that our country is on the right track again and that I can once again be proud to be an American.

I have just one thing to ask. PLEASE do not forget the gay community. We love you and voted for you! We are also one of the last great civil rights movements in this country, and we have a long way to go. We are currently fighting a battle and have taken a huge loss in California, Arizona, and Florida today. YOU however, are a shining light of hope, understanding and intelligence that we need.

I understand that you are against gay "marriage", but I'm confident that you do understand the importance of equal rights for all.

I have a proposition for a federal constitution amendment that I am going to put to you, and everyone else. It is a new definition of "marriage" and of "civil union" in our country. It is quite simply a separation of the definitions in which "marriage" is used to define the faith based institution of marriage and "civil union" is used to define the civil institution of marriage.

I propose the following: That all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, in order to obtain legal rights as a couple, must have a "civil union" filed with their local court or county clerk. All previously performed legal "marriages" will automatically receive "civil union" status, and no additional action would be by required by those couples. A "civil union" will receive all of the same rights previously granted to marriages. "Civil union" shall be defined as a legal life partnership between two consenting adults, without prejudice toward race, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation.

A "civil union" can only be obtained through the court or county clerk. As a "civil union" is strictly a legal document, no "ceremony" would be performed by a Justice of the Peace or any other government employee.

If a couple decides to perform a "marriage" in a traditional ceremony in front of god and family, they may do so at their own discretion and with their personal faith fully in place and unchallenged. Every religious institution in the country can then freely define marriage and perform their marriages based on the definition that they create for themselves.

Please Mr. President, and his supporters. PLEASE help save the definition of marriage, the right to personal faith in religion and the right to full civil liberties for all people, conservative and liberal alike. Support my proposal for this constitutional amendment.

Sincerely,

Dale Sheldon
November 5, 2008

mlitsonata@hotmail.com