If you are NOT legally married you should read these articles....

Fairness For All Families, discussed the importance of focusing our efforts to defeat the “Marriage Protection Amendment” which will appear on the November 2008 ballot.

The specific amendment reads: “Inasmuch as a marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”

The concern is that passage of such a vaguely worded amendment will lead to a ban of all recognition and benefits for unmarried couples, be they straight or gay. In states where similar legislation has been adopted the challenge to domestic partner benefits has already begun. This not only impacts many gay families, but also hundreds of thousands of straight couples who have chosen not to legally marry in order to protect their retirement/pension benefits.

So what can we do???
Our first step needs to be education. Visit the “Fairness” website (www.votenoflorida.org) to become familiar with the specifics of this issue, learn who is behind this amendment, and find a list of specific actions we can take as individuals and groups to help defeat the measure.



Secondly, we need to commit ourselves to having as many conversations as possible with those around us stressing the importance of defeating this amendment. We need to gather the support of family and friends of all those who, for whatever reason, live lovingly as life-partners.



And finally, above all else, we need to vote!!!! Our collective voice needs to be heard and this can only be accomplished when each individual steps forward on November 8th. Take yourself and all your friends to the polls on that day so we can put to rest this mean spirited amendment.
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The Meaning and Purpose of the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment

The Text of Florida Marriage Protection Amendment:

“Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”

I. The Purpose of the Amendment.

A. The Amendment defines and preserves marriage as the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife.

B. The Amendment prohibits any other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof from being valid or recognized as marriage.

II. The Amendment, Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions.

A. The Amendment does not prohibit the state or local government from passing laws which confer rights to unmarried persons as long as the laws are not designed to treat unmarried relationships as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof.

B. The Amendment does not affect benefits offered or contracted in the private sector.

C. The Amendment prohibits any other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof from being valid or recognized as marriage.