My
Democratic state representative, West Virginia House of Delegates Assistant Majority Whip Tim Ennis (D-Brooke Co.), recently introduced House Joint Resolution 106 - the "Marriage Protection Amendment" -
to codify a ban on any formal, recognized union between same-sex couples in West Virginia.
I will enclose news sources on the legislation, excerpts from the proposal, and an email I sent to Delegate Ennis this morning.
From the Beckley Register-Herald:
Delegate Patrick Lane, R-Kanawha, a co-sponsor of the bipartisan House Joint Resolution 106, said Republicans and Democrats alike overwhelmingly support it in the House.
"It's not a partisan issue," he said.
"This is a family issue. And it's a people issue. West Virginia values are deeply held. They're deeply rooted."
The resolution is narrowly drawn so that not only homosexual marriages are banned, but any kind of union outside the traditional one-man, one-woman concept is likewise taboo.
"There's no polygamy and no barnyard antics or anything like that -- it's just one man and one woman," Lane added.
::snip::
Ray Lambert of Beckley, chairman of the family group, said the amendment would go a long way toward making life better for children.
Lambert quoted statistics showing 24 million single-parent homes exist in the nation, meaning 34 percent of the children grow up without the guidance of a father.
Children reared in traditional units are better adjusted and enjoy superior emotional and physical health, excel in school and are less likely to be abused, he said.
Now, here's the text of the "Marriage Protection Amendment":
Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for same-sex relationships to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities or effects of marriage.
And finally, my open letter to Delegate Tim Ennis:
Dear Delegate Ennis,
Why do you hate me? At least, why do you use your position as my State Delegate to sponsor a hate resolution which would classify me, your constituent, as a second-class WV citizen? Why do you feel that my sexual orientation somehow disqualifies me from equal protection under the law and the rights to liberty and property?
As I read the press release of the West Virginia Family Association and the text of your House Joint Resolution 106, I am trying to comprehend how you perceive me as a threat to your family. Sir, I have never even met you, yet you claim I am a threat to your family? Since I am a constituent, I expect answers to several questions outlined below:
- Why do you feel it necessary to prevent me from visiting with my partner in the hospital? Is it an effort to stop lesbian, gay, and bisexual West Virginians from seeking treatment in West Virginia's hospitals? How does equal access to the love of one's life when he/she is in the hospital threaten your family?
- Why do you feel it necessary to create legal wranglings and inhibit my right to collect my partner's inheritance should he die? How does my possible collection of his assets threaten your family?
- Why do you feel it necessary to ban me from participation in ultimate life and medical decisions? How does stopping my right of overseeing medical care for my partner threaten your family?
- Why do you feel it necessary to degrade and insult the fiber and honor of one of your constituents through this legislation? How does my existance and residence in West Virginia threaten your family?
- Are you co-sponsoring this resolution in order to appease Reverend Fred Phelps's statements about West Virginia following the Sago Mine Disaster? To me, your co-sponsorship is actually an endorsement of Reverend Phelps's statements.
Mr. Ennis, I have done nothing to you or your family. In fact, I even ignorantly voted for you in 2000 and 2002 for the House of Delegates. Yet, you insist that my very presence in your district constitutes a threat to your family? Perhaps YOU are the ONLY threat to your family. After all, the divorce rate in West Virginia remains in line with the national average, and those divorces can only occur among heterosexual spouses. So, what does my existance and residence in West Virginia have to do with the heterosexual divorce rate?
I was born and raised in West Virginia from a family whose West Virginia heritage dates back prior to the 1840s. My family has always supported and fought for the Motto of our state which you do not seem to endorse --- "Mountaineers are ALWAYS free." Why do you wish to undermine my freedom simply because of my sexual orientation? From what righteous authority do you claim this power? I had to endure years of harassment, threats, and physical attacks because of my sexual orientation. Where were you with legislation to protect me from harassment by students in West Virginia's public schools or even from employees and administrators? Did you, yourself, participate in such harassment of other students in West Virginia public schools when you were in attendance? Perhaps so, for you foster the same mentality which, for years, caused me great distress and grief. You, sir, in fact are endorsing hatred into the West Virginia Constitution -- you are not representing God with this resolution no matter what you may think. Exploiting the Name of God for political gain is not representation; it is blasphemy. But, I'm sure you would be quick to cower and hide should yet ANOTHER hate crime occur within your district, though I doubt you have not kept yourself informed of such incidents in your district over the last 10 years. They do occur. Why should you care, after all; they're only second-class citizens to you. I suppose I am a second-class citizen in your eyes as well. To think that one's own DEMOCRATIC representative would even entertain the idea of sponsoring hate legislation. Shame on you, Mr. Ennis --- and you shall be shamed.
Very truly yours,
I urge YOU, Kossacks, to join me in this effort to combat hate legislation sponsored by DEMOCRATS in West Virginia. I encourage you to contact MY delegate, Tim Ennis, as well as other Democratic co-sponsors and express your sincere displeasure at his political blasphemy. Below is contact information:
Timothy R. Ennis (D-Brooke): (304) 340-3192; tennis@mail.wvnet.edu
Sean Casey, WV Chairman,: (304) 342-8121, Fax: (304) 342-8122; wvparty@wvdemocrats.com
John Pino (D-Fayette): (304) 340-3114; jpino@mail.wvnet.edu
Dave Pethtel (D-Wetzel): (304) 340-3149; dpethtel@mail.wvnet.edu
Richard Thompson (D-Cabell): (304) 340-3158; rthompsn@mail.wvnet.edu
Harold Michael (D-Hardy): (304) 538-6881 or (304) 340-3230; hmichl@mail.wvnet.edu
Brent Boggs (D-Braxton): (304) 364-8411 or (304) 340-3134; boggs34@aol.com
J.D. Beane (D-Wood): (304) 422-3925 or (304) 340-3192; jdbeane@mail.wvnet.edu