Please join the Facebook Event and invite all your friends.
Massachusetts became the 1st state to sue the U.S. government on July 8, 2009 over the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies married same-sex couples all 1,138 federal marriage benefits. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley contends in the lawsuit that DOMA “constitutes an overreaching and discriminatory federal law.” You can view the full complaint here [pdf].
Marriage Equality has also been the law of the land in Connecticut since November 12, 2008. We ran a campaign in August of 2009 urging then Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to defend state law — marriage equality. AG Blumenthal promptly responded to our campaign, “We are monitoring Massachusetts’ action and listening to views and opinions expressed by advocates on all sides of the issue.” However, before AG Blumenthal could make a final decision he has decided to not run for reelection and is instead running for Senate.
Thus far, there are 3 Democrats and 1 Republican who have announced their candidacies for Attorney General. Since marriage equality is indeed the law in Connecticut, we are asking those 4 Attorney General candidates if they will follow Massachusetts’ lead and stand up for the citizens and laws of their state by filing a lawsuit against the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
FYI, in addition to the Attorney General having a duty to defend state law, defending marriage equality just so happens to be the politically expedient action to take. The majority of Connecticut citizens support marriage equality and those numbers continue to grow.
So let’s ask all 4 Attorney General candidates if elected, they would defend state law, marriage equality, and file a lawsuit against DOMA!
————————————————
ACTIONS TO TAKE MARCH 24-26!
————————————————
Call and or email the below 4 Attorney General candidates between March 24-26:
Susan Bysiewicz (D)
Call: (860) 257-4988
Email: susan@susan2010.com
George Jepsen (D)
Call: (860) 278-5555
Email: gjepsen@cemlaw.com
Cameron Staples (D)
Call: (203) 821-2000
Email: CStaples@npmlaw.com
John Pavia (R)
Call: (203) 406-3700
Email: http://pview.findlaw.com/cmd/emailView?wld_id=2248237_1&which=0&channel=CCC
Tagged: Cameron Staples, Connecticut Attorney General, Gay Marriage, Gay Rights, George Jepsen, John Pavia, LGBT Rights, Marriage Equality, Susan Bysiewicz