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Vermont poised for marriage equality, citing civil union law's failure. New Jersey must act now!
The Vermont State Senate just passed a marriage equality bill by a vote of 26 to 4. The Vermont House is poised to do the same. After nine years of a civil union law, Vermont legislators have seen that civil union laws do not provide equality and will NEVER provide equality as real marriage equality would.
Vermont's action is directly relevant to our fight for marriage equality in New Jersey. Vermont proves that the arguments about giving a civil union law “time to work” are bogus. Here you write to New Jersey state legislators telling them to look at Vermont's lead -- and that you've had enough.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: I'd like to meet with you in person to talk about marriage equality.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Though this is one of many e-mails you'll receive from marriage equality supporters like me, this letter also represents more than my participating in an e-mail campaign.
This is to ask, respectfully, that you meet with us supporters in person rather than merely respond by email or letter. I'll make the time. That's how much marriage equality means to me.
I am tired with our legislature's inaction on the issue. The final straw?
Vermont, the state that invented civil unions in 2000, is about to enact marriage equality legislatively. The Vermont State Senate just passed a marriage equality bill by a vote of 26 to 4. The Vermont House is poised to do the same.
After nine years of a civil union law, Vermont legislators have seen that civil union laws do not provide equality and never will.
Vermont legislators have had nine long years of living proof that the arguments about giving a civil union law "time to work" are bogus.
In New Jersey, too many civil-union partners are denied equal health benefits from employers.
Too many civil-union partners are denied the right to make medical decisions for their sick partners.
And too many civil-union partners are denied the right to visit one another in the hospital at all.
Most tragically, children of civil union partners are coming home from school confused and bullied because they're told their parents have a different label.
When is enough suffering enough? The economy is no excuse for delaying marriage equality. A recent study by UCLA shows that New Jersey will make $248 million in revenue from tourism and revenue were it to enact a marriage equality law. And it wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime.
Again, I would like a meeting with you to discuss marriage equality. You may reach me directly or call Garden State Equality at (973) GSE-LGBT to arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
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