The Love Makes a Family organization in Connecticut is encouraging folks to email Governor Rell and their statehouse reps about marriage equality with an easy-to-use page at their site.
Here’s my letter, with the personal portion highlighted:
Jan 16, 2007
Governor M. Rell
Executive Office of the Governor
State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106Dear Governor Rell,
As your constituent, I urge you to support legislation this session giving full marriage equality to same-sex couples in Connecticut.
Civil unions provide important legal rights, but thousands of loving, committed couples–many raising children–deserve the dignity and respect that only marriage can provide.
Six years ago my 46-year-old partner died after a long battle with depression which had been compounded by fear of losing the respect of his loved ones and his community if he was honest with them about being gay.
Suicide is complex, leaving no simple cause to blame. But, one of the contributing factors in Dale’s case was the message he had gotten loud and clear: That to be gay was to be less, to be set apart.
In Dale’s name, I ask you to take a step to ensure that the state of Connecticut is not promoting the message that gay relationships are less worthy of the rights and responsibilities of marriage than others.
Please support marriage equality this session, so ALL people in Connecticut are treated equally and fairly under the law.
Sincerely,
Steve Boese
West Hartford, CT
2 comments
natala says:
19-Jan-2007 at 11:08 pm (UTC -6)
i pray that one day we will have equal rights for all people in this country. and that love prevails – that no one is less than.
much love to you steve -
jag says:
22-Jan-2007 at 4:04 pm (UTC -6)
Fantastic steven. After living in CT for many years, I have every hope that it will continue to expand rights for same-sex couples. I, myself, am marrying my partner in montreal this June…and would love for those rights to translate here. Unfortunately, they will not for quite some time I am afraid.
All we can do in the meantime is live our truth. Truth is, that for many gay/lesbian couples – we are not the people portrayed by the media, and often by the church. I live a an amazing life – I’m monogamous, I have no substance abuse issues, I am gainfully employed, disease-free and wake-up every morning thanking God that I found the love of my life. Not the “gay poster child” that is discussed in straight-camps and reparative therapy rooms.
But, the laws which restrict us continue to fuel bigoted, discriminatory behavior that is often internalized. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.