[Cassie325]

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.

[chelsea24]

Mariab, I'm with you on this one. Families aren't made from cookie cutters anymore like the old Donna Reed Show. I will vote NO!

[Cassie325]

Good for you....today is so different from long ago...we need to support a family no matter what it is made of....

[Cassie325]

I actually can not believe more of you haven't responded....I know many of you have looked at this....where are your wonderful loud opinions???????

[Village Kid 2]

Mariab,

Thanks for the information and website. These seemingly innocuous amendments usually have a hidden agenda or are overbroad. This one could certainly do harm to domestic, non-married couples who are benfited by progressive company/municpal employer benefits. Thanks for the eye opener.

The amendment gets a thumbs down!

VK2

[Shirleevee]

Thank you for posting this.

Phyllis........love should be all that matters

[renielarson]

Maria,

I haven't responded because I am legally divorced but living with my ex again. Our finances are in legal order and this amendment won't effect us. Our pensions/retirement are not reliant on each other.

[Village Kid 2]

Bright,

However, for those domestic partners, gay or not, who live together as a family and where one partner is covered by benefits of the other, this certainly could affect them in a negative way.

Looks to be a regressive limitation for no valid purpose. Passing it really benefits no one and disenfranchises others. Why bother?

VK2

[PJ]

Mariab, thank you for posting this. I will also vote no.

[renielarson]

We are not connected to each other's benefits...we are totally independent of each other.

If I could, I would vote NO because I believe that every one has the right to choose their partner...regardless....and that all should be protected under the law.

Aren't we a country based on "diversity", "equality", and "justice"?

[Lil Dancer]

This is a great topic. I suggest you re-post it in the political forum - it may get more views and responses there. thanks!

[Jim007]

I will vote a loud NO to this amendment, or any amendment that allows government :cop: the right to say, who and how I decide to share my life with. The government has no place in our homes or bedrooms. This is especially true, when many of those politicians who end up speaking the loudest for these kind of amendments turn out to be hiding skeletons in their own homes, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. A loud resounding NO!

P.S. As to my own situation, I am a happily married man, soon to be living in TV if I can sell my home up north.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by Fullrob

I will vote a loud NO to this amendment, or any amendment that allows government :cop: the right to say, who and how I decide to share my life with. The government has no place in our homes or bedrooms. This is especially true, when many of those politicians who end up speaking the loudest for these kind of amendments turn out to be hiding skeletons in their own homes, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. A loud resounding NO!

P.S. As to my own situation, I am a happily married man, soon to be living in TV if I can sell my home up north.

[Rokinronda]

DITTO DITTO DITTO!!!! I will vote a BIG FAT NO!

[Cassie325]

I knew you all were out there....I will re-post on the political forum....

I knew I loved the gang on here!!!