congresscritter
Dec. 19th, 2003 11:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solipsistnationDear Joshua:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruling on gay marriage.
As you may know, on November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme
Judicial Court ruled that gay and lesbian citizens in Massachusetts cannot
be denied the same right to marriage as other citizens in the Commonwealth.
Denying the right to marry, according to the court, violates the state
constitution's "free and equal" clause. The Massachusetts legislature now
has 180 days to implement the court's decision.
I strongly agree with the SJC decision that gay and lesbian citizens
in Massachusetts should have the same rights as other citizens in the
Commonwealth. This decision ensures that same-sex partners will finally
have the legal protections and benefits, as well as the responsibilities, of
marriage. Legal and cultural challenges still lie ahead for same-sex
partners in Massachusetts. The Defense of Marriage Act, which became
federal law in 1996, limited the definition of 'marriage' to 'a legal union
between one man and one woman.' Therefore, same-sex partners will have to
keep fighting for recognition at the federal level.
Please be assured that I will continue to support same-sex partners
in their fight for equality and will oppose any amendment that would change
the U.S. Constitution to prohibit gay marriage.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please contact me in the future
if you have further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
John W. Olver
Member of Congress
Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruling on gay marriage.
As you may know, on November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme
Judicial Court ruled that gay and lesbian citizens in Massachusetts cannot
be denied the same right to marriage as other citizens in the Commonwealth.
Denying the right to marry, according to the court, violates the state
constitution's "free and equal" clause. The Massachusetts legislature now
has 180 days to implement the court's decision.
I strongly agree with the SJC decision that gay and lesbian citizens
in Massachusetts should have the same rights as other citizens in the
Commonwealth. This decision ensures that same-sex partners will finally
have the legal protections and benefits, as well as the responsibilities, of
marriage. Legal and cultural challenges still lie ahead for same-sex
partners in Massachusetts. The Defense of Marriage Act, which became
federal law in 1996, limited the definition of 'marriage' to 'a legal union
between one man and one woman.' Therefore, same-sex partners will have to
keep fighting for recognition at the federal level.
Please be assured that I will continue to support same-sex partners
in their fight for equality and will oppose any amendment that would change
the U.S. Constitution to prohibit gay marriage.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please contact me in the future
if you have further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
John W. Olver
Member of Congress
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2003-12-19 08:57 am (UTC)Even if it was signed, it was signed by an aide.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-12-19 10:08 am (UTC)It was email.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-12-19 10:13 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-12-19 10:24 am (UTC)Oh, I'm sure it was automated, at least partially. I wrote a letter using the Write your congressperson page yesterday.
It's a useful sort of thing. They're trying to convince people to use email more since the whole anthrax thing...
(no subject)
Date: 2003-12-19 10:26 am (UTC);)
(no subject)
Date: 2003-12-19 10:30 am (UTC)But it makes them smell so nice!
(no subject)
Date: 2003-12-19 10:33 am (UTC)