Action Alert

The Republican Senate leadership has decided to force a vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) during the week of July 12th. The AHA has been actively fighting the FMA since its inception through coalition work, public statements, and activating our membership through action alerts like this one.

ACTION

We ask you to please call your senators to encourage them to oppose the FMA and any other amendment or legislation that excludes, discriminates against, or restricts the rights of a group of American citizens on the sole basis of their sexual orientation. Humanist voices must be heard at this critical juncture, so call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 877-762-8762 and ask to speak with your Senator's office, or find the direct number by visiting www.senate.gov.

We also encourage you to write letters to your local papers explaining your opposition to the FMA. In addition, since Congress will be in recess from June 28-July 5, you can deliver-always effective-handwritten letters to your senators in their district offices or even schedule visits with them.

Please keep us informed of the actions that you take. And thank you for ensuring that Humanists play an integral role in this important fight.

BACKGROUND

The FMA warrants opposition for a variety of reasons. According to their own documents, those in favor of the FMA claim that it is needed to prevent marriage from being "redefined," but the AHA contends that the FMA redefines the Constitution by adding inequality and discrimination to its principles. By defining marriage as a union between a man and woman the FMA forces second-class citizenship upon gay and lesbian Americans. The stakes are both symbolic and legal because, according to the General Accounting Office, marriage is connected to over 1,000 federal and approximately 300 state rights, privileges, and benefits. While the FMA's Religious Right supporters say the amendment is needed in order to "protect children," they conveniently overlook the fact that the children of gays and lesbians feel the damaging legal effects of this denial of rights.

The timing of the vote is highly politicized, as it comes on the heels of the Democratic National Convention and is designed to solidify the conservative base and serve as a divisive wedge issue for Democrats. Although those who support the FMA call for a "full debate," by pushing for the vote they have compromised the democratic process by sidestepping votes and markups by the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution and the Senate Judiciary Committee, which serve as safeguards for the democratic process. The amendment also prevents debate by undermining state sovereignty (something championed by conservatives) by denying states the right to define marriage for themselves.

Finally, the FMA is driven by religious conservatives and prioritizes certain religious beliefs over others. For example, in a revealing comment at a recent House hearing on the FMA, former Rep. William Dannemeyer stated that the "issue is whether Congress has the courage to affirm that God exists."

Remember to Call Your Senators and Tell Them to Oppose the FMA and Other Attempts to Discriminate Against Gay and Lesbian American Citizens!

The American Humanist Association is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive nontheistic outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity.

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