Senators Lieberman and Collins: It’s time to repeal DOMA
November 16, 2011
This morning, we announced that we're joining with six other state and national organizations to call on Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that would overturn the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. Both Senators were incredible leaders during the historic repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and they know that discrimination against their gay and lesbian constituents is wrong.
That's why we're joining with Courage Campaign, EqualityMaine, the Maine Women's Lobby, the ACLU of Connecticut, the ACLU of Maine, and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) to ask Sens. Lieberman and Collins to take a stand against marriage discrimination. Now that gay and lesbian members of the armed forces can serve openly, they still can't serve equally. DOMA singles out gay and lesbian service members and the families, denying them basic protections like on-base housing and health care coverage.
In Connecticut, Senator Lieberman has thousands of constituents who have been harmed by DOMA for years. In 2009, Connecticut extended marriage to gay and lesbian couples, and since then, thousands of couples have legally married. But three years later, DOMA still treats these legally married couples as strangers in the eyes of the federal government, excluding them from from over 1,000 legal protections and responsibilities like Social Security survivor benefits and family and medical leave. The other six members of Connecticut's congressional delegation have already cosponsored the Respect for Marriage Act, so isn't it time for Senator Lieberman to take a stand for his constituents too?
If you live in Connecticut, you can sign the letter to Senator Lieberman here. Then share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.
And if you live in Maine, you can sign the letter to Senator Collins here and can click here to share it.
Below is the email that went out to Freedom to Marry supporters in Connecticut from Anne Stanback, our Board Chair and the former Executive Director of Love Makes a Family in Connecticut:
Cameron,
Three years is too long to wait.
On November 12, 2008, the first same-sex couples legally wed here in Connecticut. Since that historic day, thousands of gay and lesbian couples have married in our state, bringing happiness and joy -- along with critical protections and security -- to those couples and their families.
But three years later, Connecticut’s legally married same-sex couples are still treated as strangers in the eyes of the federal government. The so-called Defense of Marriage Act excludes legally married same-sex couples from over 1,000 legal protections and responsibilities like Social Security survivor benefits and family and medical leave.
Six of the seven members of our Congressional delegation have signed on as cosponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA. Senator Lieberman is the only member of our state delegation who has not cosponsored this crucial legislation, and it’s time for him to take a stand.
Will you ask Senator Lieberman to do what’s right for Connecticut families?
Click here to join me, Freedom to Marry, the ACLU of Connecticut, and Courage Campaign in signing an open letter urging Senator Lieberman to cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act. We’ll personally deliver your signature to his office.
We’re proud to have secured the freedom to marry in Connecticut. But three years later, federal law still denies married couples in our state the tools they need to protect and provide for their families.
Earlier this year, Senator Lieberman demonstrated incredible courage when he successfully led the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t’ Tell.” Now it’s time for Senator Lieberman to show similar leadership to end discrimination against Connecticut families.
Cameron, he needs to know that his constituents can’t wait any longer. Will you co-sign our letter to Senator Lieberman now?
http://freedomtomarry.org/SenatorLieberman
We’ll update you soon when we deliver the letter with your signature to Senator Lieberman’s office.
Thanks for taking action,
Anne Stanback
Founding Executive Director, Love Makes a Family
Board Chair, Freedom to Marry Action