Received this e-mail today from Senator Brian Schatz (D. HI):
If you haven't heard yet (I know, it's early in Hawaii!!), I want to share some wonderful news: This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)!
This is a huge moment for LGBT Americans and for our entire country. It is a moment to celebrate, and another huge step toward full equality under the law for our LGBT family, friends, and neighbors.
But there is more work to do.
So, today, as we celebrate this historic ruling in favor of basic civil rights, I hope you will also join me in calling on the Hawaii state legislature to pass marriage equality.
Will you add your name to my petition to the Hawaii state legislature, urging them to act quickly and pass full marriage equality for LGBT couples in Hawaii?
http://action.brianschatz.com/...
Denying committed couples the right to marry is unacceptable -- end of story. I can't imagine what it would have been like if the government told me that Linda and I could not get married.
That's why I testified in favor of Hawaii's civil union legislation in 2010 -- because even though it wasn't marriage equality, it was an important step forward. That's why one of my first actions as a U.S. Senator was to sign an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court encouraging them to overturn DOMA.
And that's why I will continue to do everything I can to make sure our LGBT friends and neighbors are treated fairly under the law -- including ensuring they have the right to marry.
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has done their part, we must turn our attention to the Hawaii legislature. I need your help to make our voice as loud as possible.
Will you add your name to my petition to the Hawaii state legislature urging them to act quickly and pass full marriage equality for LGBT couples in Hawaii?
http://action.brianschatz.com/...
Thank you for showing your support for marriage equality -- and congratulations to the thousands of activists who have worked so hard for so long to make today possible.
Good work -- now let's keep it up!
Aloha,
Brian Schatz
U.S. Senator
P.S. Once you've added your name to the petition, please forward this message to your friends who care about marriage equality, and ask them to join us by signing our petition to the Hawaii state legislature today!
http://action.brianschatz.com/...
You can sign Schatz's petition here:
http://action.brianschatz.com/...