http://www.hrc.org/millionformarriage/

Hi All,
Thanks for letting me be your ally. I don't know how many of your are politicized, but this organization is helping to fight "marriage protection week" that Bush has endorsed. The conservatives want to keep fighting the inevitable...g/l/b/t folks want the "right" to marry too!

Remember...when you get the right to legally marry, you get family visits! :)

Join me in this fight!
Best,
Wendy

Wendy,

I just signed this and obviously support this 100% In actual fact I live in Canada and we have just recently legalized 'marriage' between same sex couples.

Lets also consider the removal of the word 'marriage' as that is not what a lot of gay and lesbian people want as much as a recognized 'union' and contractual and legal rights under that legal union and agreement.

One of the issues that I have personally witnessed is that of a friend whose Partner was critically ill and he was not allowed into Intensive Care because he was not a legal spouse. He was not allowed to be with his Partner of 20 YEARS (while he was dying) because the hospital would not open their policy to allow him the right to visit.

To me the 'family visits' are secondary - although I would not turn them down - I do however one day want the right to immigrate to the USA to be with my Partner because unfortunately it will not happen in the reverse... I have the right to sponsor my Partner to Canada as a legal spouse but not with his record...

Please join in signing this - this is a good thing!

Naming...Teb, I agree with you completely...what one names something is crucial and should be respected. Don't get me started on "Hispanic". :)

I hope others join us in this fight! I am disgusted that this community even has to "fight" for this "right". I'm glad Canada has given legal rights to partners.

I could be wrong, but I was told by a parole officer that once a person if off parole, they can live anywhere they want...even out of the county...which my husband and I plan to do.

Now, I'm not sure what Canada's policies are, but I'd be surprised if it were illegal for you to bring him there. I thought Canada was welcoming...off the subject, I know.

Wendy

Question..isnt some states like California have "legalized marriage", I thought my friend told me him and his partner got married in san fran. Is this a petition everyone can sign?

Anyone can sign this! It's going to the president and your local folks...the website does everything for you...pretty cool.

San Fran recognizes domestic partnerships for insurance and other benefits. Sadly, though, until it's recognized on a Federal level, the ramifications are horrible!

But, CA, in and of itself, does not recognize domestic partnership in the same way as it does "marriages" of heterosexuals.

louise1120,

There is such a thing in the US right now known as 'domestic partnership' that some States do acknowledge that will allow visitation to hosptials and prisons/jails and in some cases health benefits - but it is not the same as a legal 'marriage' by any means.

For many years Churches that support gay unions have offered Union Ceremonies to same sex couples but they have no legal standing with the State or the Church - they are simply a public ceremony to exchange vows and acknowledge your love and commitment to each other.

(Off topic response...reply... Canada has very strict rules for ex-cons entering the country. I have not investigated yet whether this will be different with our new same sex marriage laws or not - they are too new and I don't have the money to test this with a lawyer - I am hoping that someone else will first. It is not really an issue as to whether the USA will allow an ex-con to leave the country as it is an issue as to whether the receiving country will let them in. (If caught at the border we will not even let American DUI's into Canada.))

Linda and I both support this and have signed the petition.

Patti