“Don’t Mess with DOMA!”
“I am writing today because I wanted to be sure that you heard from the tens of millions of Americans who firmly believe that marriage can only be the union of a husband and wife.
Too often, we remain silent, watching events in Washington from a distance. Today, I am writing to urge you to oppose any effort to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
Just twelve years ago, Congress overwhelmingly adopted DOMA, and President Clinton signed it into law, protecting the rights of states to enforce their own marriage laws, and not allowing four judges in one small state to force their views on same-sex marriage upon the entire nation.
Forty-five states have now adopted laws re-affirming the definition of marriage as the union of a husband and wife. Out of thirty states where a constitutional amendment on marriage has gone to the people, the amendment has passed all 30 times, usually by overwhelming margins.
This is simply common sense, not bigotry, recognizing the shared wisdom of humanity across all cultural, religious, and ethnic lines. Marriage connects a child to both her mom and her dad, giving her the birthright of love and support from her own parents that every child deserves.
I urge you to strongly oppose any bill that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Our country and families are in the midst of crisis — in the financial markets, in education, in health care. Now, of all times, don’t mess with marriage!”
This is the pre-written letter that Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown and their NOM thugs want you to send to your lawmakers. These are the words they’d like to place in your mouth. These are the words that tell you how they really feel about us.
Yes, Dear Lawmaker, Dear Elected Official, “Now, of all times, don’t mess with marriage!”
Don’t mess with Maggie Gallagher’s type of marriage. Or Brian Brown’s type of marriage. Don’t mess with traditional marriage. But mess with the type of marriage millions of gay Americans would like to have, already do have, sans the piece of paper and government sanction. The type of marriage millions more hope to have some day.
Dear Elected Official, “Now, of all times, don’t mess with marriage!” Not now, when traditional marriage supporters are losing their selfish, bigoted fight across the country. When traditional marriage supporters are losing in legislatures and courts and, most importantly, in the court of public opinion.
“Now, of all times, don’t mess with marriage!”As if they ever thought there was or will be a good time to “mess with marriage.”
“I am writing today because I wanted to be sure that you heard from the tens of millions of Americans who firmly believe that marriage can only be the union of a husband and wife. (Note: there are approximately 317 million Americans. Obviously, if only “tens of millions of Americans firmly believe that marriage can only be the union of a husband and wife”, then you don’t have a majority anymore. And, guess what? You don’t. We do.)
I urge you to strongly oppose any bill that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Our country and families are in the midst of crisis — in the financial markets, in education, in health care. Now, of all times, don’t mess with marriage!” (Because if you repeal DOMA, the financial markets, education, and health care will all fall apart!)
Dear Elected Official, I agree: “Don’t mess with marriage!” Marriage shouldn’t be “messed with.” It’s too important an institution to mess with. It’s too essential to our lives to mess with. It’s too much a part of the human existence to “mess with.” Don’t mess with marriage. It’s already been messed with. it’s already been pummeled. It’s already been confiscated by those who don’t own it. It’s been stolen by those who, if they truly valued it, would be fighting to help the millions of people who divorce every year. Instead of spending $1.5 million on an ad to scare people, The National Organization For Marriage might have spent that money to help troubled couples save their marriage. (And might have paid Maggie a little less. More on that later.)
Dear Elected Official, I agree: “Don’t mess with marriage!” Save it. By opening the door to people who so desperately want to be married, they’re willing to spend every free moment and every free dime to get married. To help others get married. The way I see it, the ones who are trying to save marriage are the gay community and its supporters. The ones who messed with marriage are the ones who have adulterated its significance and value, and taken something sacred and turned it into a wedge issue.
Maggie Gallagher and her ilk are actively working to abuse the very institution their name portends to support.
Dear Elected Official, I agree: “Don’t mess with marriage!” Save it. Help us save it too. Open the door, let us in.