US House to Vote on Same-Sex Marriage Tuesday

The US House will vote Tuesday on the Federal Marriage Amendment written by virulently anti-gay Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), that is intended to end domestic partnerships, and ban civil unions and same-sex marriage throughout the US. An amendment already failed the Senate, and is not expected to pass the House, so this can only be seen as a political stunt to make conservative Christians happy.

"Opponents of same-sex marriage claimed success anyway. They argue that the 2004 vote was part of a successful campaign to rally conservatives and help win Bush's re-election. Proposals to ban gay marriage were on the ballots of 11 states, including Ohio, where a bigger than usual rural turnout swung the election to Bush." [MSNBC]

"The more this issue is discussed, the more people understand the threat" posed by activist courts, said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. The votes in Congress give the majority of Americans who oppose gay marriage a chance "to look and see if the people in Washington represent them and stand on the same side," he said.

The fact that 5 out of 8 Minnesota House members voted for this trash in 2004 shows we need a change in November. Fortunately, there really no way this thing will pass the House, and even if it does, the US Senate has already rejected it.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force sent this alert out today:

"CALL-IN TO OPPOSE THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT!

The Federal Marriage Amendment, H J Res 88, would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. This unnecessary amendment would threaten religious liberty, enshrine discrimination against LGBT people in the Constitution, and have far reaching consequences for basic legal benefits for same-sex couples.

The radical right is campaigning vigorously in support of this amendment. It is time to make your voice heard! Tell your representative to vote against the Federal Marriage Amendment because you do not believe that discrimination belongs in our Constitution.

Today, Task Force members are joining members of 140 national and state organizations opposed to the Federal Marriage Amendment and calling Congress and making their united voices heard. Be a part of today's national call-in day. Contact your representative at 202 224 3121 to urge them to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Thank you,
Matt Foreman"