The following is an exchange with my Illinois state representative Tom Morrison, in which I urged him to vote for the marriage equality legislation, SB 0010, currently in Illinois that has passed the Senate, House Committee, and only needs to reach the 60 vote threshold in the house to pass.
Representative Morrison response flails at asinine justifications to excuse his religious based bigotry, and I reply with the great news that his fears about equal marriage are all baseless and offer him the coveted opportunity to hire me.
Hello,
I am a constituent of yours, residing in Palatine. In the past, I have supported Republicans who demonstrated the moral conviction to eschew discrimination and bigotry by offering the same rights, definitions, and privileges to all citizens under civil law no matter their sexuality or gender orientation. My hope is that you will be one of these principled individuals.
The personal preference or individual religious principles another holds are absolutely irrelevant in such a matter. As a public servant one has a solemn duty to protect the rights and access of ALL citizens one represents. If you do not personally condone same-sex marriage, my advice is not to have one, but as a public servant you must protect the right of others to love and forge a civil bond with another under the law when the law offers the same civil mechanism to its other citizens. The time has come to grow up as a state and a nation and offer marriage equality to everyone under the law; It is important to me that my daughter grow up in a state and country that respects all citizens and the spirit of its founding ideals that all are equal and have access to inalienable rights.
Thank you,
'Captain Pants'
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Dear Captain,
Does supporting LGBT rights require that we eliminate the provision that two and only two people can be married? One reason I oppose this bill is because bisexual individuals could argue that they ought to be permitted to marry both sexes at the same time.
If marriage is just about love, commitment, and domestic support, then how could we possibly discriminate against any adults who want to enter into such arrangements? Once marriage is re-defined away from one man and one woman, then there's no arrangement that could be excluded without being labeled "discrimination."
Sincerely,
Tom Morrison
State Representative - District 54
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Dear Representative Morrison,
You will be delighted to know that your concerns about equal marriage leading to polygamy are entirely unfounded. Polygamy has been outlawed in Illinois since 1833, and federal laws against polygamy were upheld by the United States Supreme Court in 1878.
Additionally, the vaguely stated fear that "no arrangement...could be excluded without being labeled 'discrimination'" is also NOT a reasonable point of concern in any way. Illinois state law already places clear guidelines and limitations on marriage and marriage licensure: age limitations, requirement of in-person consent, confirmation of identity, proof of divorce finality, and restrictions against in-family marriages- with the exception of first cousins over 50 years old (that was new to me). The key phrase to remember that should assuage all concerns you have and allow you to make the humane and rational vote for marriage equality and place yourself squarely on the right side of history is this: Two Consenting Adults.
Additionally, Can you think of any serious case resultant from equal marriage or civil union laws that have been approved across the nation that would be reflective of your fears? Any? Also, fear that someone may challenge the boundaries of a just law, is NOT a reason to avoid passing just laws. Is denying marriage equality to millions of consenting adults excusable because you are worried someone will bring a legal case about polygamy - one that would be struck down immediately due to over 150 year old Supreme Court precedent?
The only other trepidation you might have would be your personal religious dictates- that would be if the legislation in question, Senate Bill 10, didn't protect religious institutions from having to perform or condone equal marriage. But the legislation does. Also, as a public servant, you represent the interest of ALL your constituents and their equitable rights and application of those rights under the law. Voting based on the dictates of one or more religious groups in the district and their desire to exert beliefs on all citizens would be a violation of your duty and our Constitution.
I am glad I could clear up these misunderstandings about Illinois law. If you had not had this information, you would have never known that your concerns about equal marriage were completely baseless and not reflective of laws over 150 years old; clearly, such research can not be undervalued. If you are in need of a staff researcher to help you on matters like these, I would be willing to assist your office on a part time basis. You have my e-mail if you would like to discuss terms of employment.
Best As Always,
Captain Pants
Some helpful information on Tom Morrison: His parents founded the local Christian Liberty Academy, and he taught there for five years. This school regularly features a large poster of a fetus and statements about abortion on the lawn of an elementary and middle school. This is the school that hosted Rick Santorum during the primary. This is the school that hosted award from the hateful anti-gay "Illinois Family Institute" and "Americans for Truth" to Scott Lively- and
the preacher who supported Uganda's anti gay and kill the gay legislation and recently was in news for continuing to trumpet that Obama is gay his lover is Reggie Love.
Contact this Representative if you want to give him some grief
-e-mail:- repmorrison54@gmail.com
phone: (847)202-6584 , (217) 782-8026
Tom Morrison's Facebook
And show Illinois Unites for Marriage some love if you so dare.