Greetings,
My apologies! The link to the donation page is not working. We have corrected the problem and the correct link is: https://secure.ga4.org/01/c3_donationsThe Forum For Equality condemns Tangipahoa Parish justice of the peace, Keith Bardwell, who refused to perform a civil marriage for Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terence McKay, who is black, because they are an interracial couple. It is wrong for loving couples who want to make a life-long marriage commitment to be denied that right because of someone else's prejudice.
It is deplorable that the government can intrude in the personal relationships of consenting adults. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens to every same sex couple in the state of Louisiana.
Not being allowed to marry the person you love goes beyond a simple denial of legal recognition of your union. There are tangible benefits, rights, and privileges that are contingent on marital status at the State and Federal level. The Government Accounting Office identified 1,138 that include:
- Sick Leave to Care for Partner or to Make Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
- Hospital Visitation Rights for Partner
- Immunity from Testifying Against Spouse
- Joint Adoption and Foster Care
- Insurance Breaks like Obtaining Joint Health, Home and Auto policies
- Tax Breaks
- Joint Bankruptcy and Creditor Protection
- Bereavement Leave
- Exemption from Property Tax on Partner's Death
- Social Security Survivor Benefits
- Assumption of Spouse's Pension
- Automatic Inheritance and Housing Lease Transfer
- Wrongful Death (Loss of Consort) Benefits
- Immigration
That anyone would refuse to marry a loving, committed couple on the basis of race is unconscionable. Restricting who can marry whom based on their sex and sexual orientation is also discriminatory.
If you agree that this is unacceptable, we need your help. We are fighting for the rights of all people and standing up to those who think they can pick and choose who gets to be married.
Would you contribute to help us fight discrimination? Click Here to Donate.
Your tax-deductible donation of $25, $40, $150, $1,000 or even more will give us the resources we need to continue our fight against discrimination.
Please forward this message to a friend. We need everyone who cares about equality to hear our message. Send this email to at least three friends or family members so they can join in the fight, too.
Thank you for helping us in this important work.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Forum For Equality
