A Letter To Senator Sam Brownback
Cosponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment in the Senate

Dear Senator Brownback --

You have been quoted as saying "Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman. Protecting marriage is essential to the long term health of our families and culture".

I agree that religious marriage is, to some religions, a sacred institution. Which is all the more reason to NOT involve the Constitution. Would you support ammendments to define other religious acts? Which religions? Which acts?

No one I know of that supports the granting of equality in civil marriage laws is asking for any religion to accept, recognize or bless same-gender marriages. Various religions already define marriage in different ways. Some, as you know, do not accept marriage of divorced individuals. That is their right. Some, as you may not be willing to accept, do honor same sex unions. That is their right.

Why do you feel civil marriage rights for same sex couples will undermine or harm exisiting families or our time-honored culture of diversity in the United States? Recognition of same-gender civil marriages has no possible way of reducing the legal rights of mixed-gender married couples. Nor does such legal recognition have any proven potential for reducing the value, beliefs or sanctity of any mixed-gender couple's family unit. No fault divorce laws are far more harmful to families than offering equality in civil marriage.

Based upon the 2000 Census over 99 percent of the counties in the US are home to same sex couples. Why does the fact that some of these couples wish to be legally married upset anyone? Why wouldn't a supporter of marriage and family urge equality in civil marriage -- and decry those same sex and different sex couples who don't want to make such a committment?

The economy, the war on terrorism, the situation in Iraq, creating jobs and education are important issues needing your attention. We don't need anyone misdirected from addressing these areas by an effort to change the Constitution. Please reconsider your priorities.

Thanks for taking time to view the opinion of one of your constituents.