Fem Dems Respond to the Loss of Civil Rights in Maine

On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Fem Dems phoned from Sacramento’s Equality California field office to hundreds of voters in Maine to keep the fundamental right to marry intact for same sex couples there.

In light of the slim majority that voted to repeal same-sex marriage, http://www.marriageequality.org/ issued the following statement:

Our hearts go out to same-sex couples in Maine who have had their fundamental right to marry stripped away by a slim majority, said Molly McKay, Marriage Equality USA. Its absolutely inhumane to put same-sex couples and their children through these grueling campaigns that only serve to promote hatred, ignorance and bigotry. LGBT Americans deserve the same security and respect that marriage provides to all other families and we will continue on our journey that has brought us this far and continue to share our truth and the impact of discrimination it is truly only a matter of time. We, of the generation that has been tasked with the obligation to end legal discrimination against LGBT Americans must learn that life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning to! dance in the rainand dance and march and sing and pray is what we will doand as our most beloved Dr. Martin Luther King has said, we will do so, until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

We must continue to heed the advice of Harvey Milk and come out to everyone we meet as supporters of marriage equality, as LGBT people, as sisters, brothers, parents and friends of gay people, said Pamela Brown, Marriage Equality USA Policy Director. Last night, we achieved victories in Washington State and Kalamazoo, seven openly gay candidates won in elections spanning the nation from St. Petersburg, Florida to Salt Lake City, Utah and two are in run-off elections in Houston, Texas and the 58th District in Georgia. And as people witness same-sex couples happily married in six states, living their lives, mowing their lawn, paying their taxes and as our families become woven into the seamless web of community and citizenship, the injustice of separa! te of unequal treatment will grow more and more apparent. To h! elp high light our common humanity, Marriage Equality USA is launching a stories project, particularly in states where marriage equality is a reality. We want to encourage same-sex couples, their families, straight allies, and other community members to share their experiences on the impact and importance of extending the freedom to marry to all loving, committed couples. The stories we collect will be presented through a digital stories project that we will release during Februarys Freedom to Marry month.

To have your story including in this project, please complete the on-line survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kGFndFxQS4gCHuCU_2bKgBUg_3d_3d

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The Fem Dems’ hearts and spirits are with our friends in Maine and we will remain committed to the noble cause of marriage equality for all.