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Leaders Speak Out Against the FMA

A vote on the discriminatory Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) is scheduled for this week. President Bush bowed to right-wing extremists and announced his support for the discriminatory amendment.

In response, ordinary Americans, national civil rights leaders and elected officials including Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative John Lewis (D-GA) joined with the Human Rights Campaign to speak out against the FMA.

• Read the statement
• View photos from the event

Top Stories Read the latest news on the FMA. View All Headlines

Opposition Watch The right wing extremists are vigorously mobilizing their forces on behalf of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Fair-minded supporters of equality must redouble our efforts to communicate to our elected officials our opposition to writing discrimination into the U.S. Constitution! Learn More

Take Action: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Go to hrc.org/voteno to send a postcard.
• Write a letter to the editor.
• Set up an in-district lobby visit.

Talking to Others about the FMA

• Discrimination has no place in the U.S. Constitution. The Federal Marriage Amendment would undermine the Constitution, which in more than 200 years has never once been amended to deny rights to a group of Americans.
• Instead of addressing a health care crisis, the costly war in Iraq and soaring gas prices, President Bush and the leadership in Congress are putting politics ahead of real progress by debating this divisive amendment.
• Many legal experts agree this amendment also would close the door on civil unions even though 60 percent of Americans support ensuring all families can protect each other in times of crisis.
• Leading conservatives agree that this amendment goes against the values we stand for as a country, including former Senator and Rev. John Danforth, George Will, William Safire and Bob Barr.
• The last thing the American people want is Congress reaching into a family's private life, just like Terri Schiavo.

I would argue that the future of our country hangs in the balance because the future of marriage hangs in the balance. Isn't that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?
- Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA); One Voice News 7/14/04

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