Undecided voters key to gay marriage ban
St. Petersburg Times -- September 20, 2008
by Alex Leary
A proposal to ban gay marriage in the Florida Constitution is within striking distance of success, according to a new poll.
The St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9 survey shows 58 percent of voters approve the proposal to define marriage as between a man and woman.
The poll, which was also underwritten by the Miami Herald, has a margin of error of 3.5 percent, meaning Amendment 2 has a shot at getting the 60 percent required to amend the state Constitution.
The poll showed 37 percent oppose the measure and 5 percent are undecided.
The new poll shows a slight increase over one conducted Sept. 2-4 by Quinnipiac University Polling Institute that showed 55 percent approval and a 2.6 percent margin of error.
The new poll comes as proponents launched an aggressive campaign to spread the word through church congregations.
"From the foundations of this earth, that's what God made it to be, between a man and a woman," said Joyce Payne, 68, a Temple Terrace Republican who participated in the poll. "I'm sorry it's even coming to a vote. These homosexual rights are just being forced on us."
But the proposed ban — similar to a current state law — is not certain to pass given the 60 percent threshold, which voters approved in 2006, at the Legislature's urging, to keep frivolous measures out of the state Constitution.
"When I was younger, I would have been for the ban," said Victor Collazo, 35, an independent voter in Orlando. "I'm Catholic, and I know what the Bible says, but sometimes you just have to change. People have rights."
Support among Republicans was an overwhelming 74 percent, while only 44 percent of Democrats want the ban. Independents are nearly divided. But in a year when there is the first African-American major party candidate on the presidential ballot, 65 percent of black poll respondents said they would vote for Amendment 2.
Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway thinks the measure could have trouble passing in the midst of a financial meltdown. "With the economy and so much uncertainty, people often don't want to say yes. They just say, 'When in doubt, pull no.' "
Florida headed in wrong direction
A new St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9 poll suggests Floridians aren't too happy with their state. They want to drill and are likely to ban gay marriage. But they still like their governor.
58 percent of Florida voters want to amend the state Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, thereby prohibiting marriage between homosexuals. The so-called gay marriage ban, on the ballot as Amendment 2, needs 60 percent approval to pass in November. 37 percent of voters oppose the measure.
59 percent support oil drilling closer than 125 miles from the Florida coast. No real surprise here. As gas prices grew at the pump, so did Floridians' tolerance for offshore drilling. Two years ago, as gas prices approached $3, 46 percent said they supported lifting the drilling ban off Florida's coast. Now with gas close to $4, the sentiment appears to have grown. 33 percent of voters still oppose drilling.
John McCain may have passed him over for running mate, but Floridians still like their governor. 53 percent give Gov. Charlie Crist a favorable job rating, down from 57 percent in a January poll. Crist took office 20 months ago, and 13 percent of voters rated his performance as excellent; 40 percent said good. 34 percent of voters gave him fair ratings; 11 percent poor.
51 percent say Florida is headed in the wrong direction. Amid the turmoil in the national economy, Floridians' view of their own state turned more pessimistic during the past 10 months. In January, 50 percent said the state was headed in the wrong direction; in November 2007, 44 percent. The new poll shows 32 percent think Florida is heading in the right direction and 10 percent are mixed.
About the poll: The telephone survey of 800 registered voters was conducted Sept. 14-17 by SEA Polling and Strategic Design, whose clients are primarily Democrats, and the Polling Co., which works mainly with Republicans. The poll, also underwritten by the Miami Herald, has a margin of error of 3.5 percent.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
365 Gay: News- Clergy to oppose Fla. anti-gay amendment
365 Gay: News
Clergy to oppose Fla. anti-gay amendment
By 365gay Newscenter Staff
09.19.2008 2:57pm EDT
(Miami, Florida) Moderate religious leaders from across Florida are speaking out against a proposed amendment to the state constitution which would ban same-sex marriage and could be used to deny benefits to co-habitating non-married couples - both straight and gay.
Dozens of pastors and rabbis met in meetings in six areas statewide this week to denounce the proposed amendment, saying they will tell their congregations to vote against it in November.
Leaders of Fairness for All Families, the umbrella group formed to fight the amendment, attended all six meetings, telling the religious leaders that the amendment would affect people of all faiths and do far more than ban same-sex marriage.
“This will prohibit the Legislature from conducting civil unions or anything that would give, by law, any substantial rights to partners,” Beth Fountain, the Tampa Bay field organizer for Fairness for All Families told a meeting in Clearwater. “This goes well beyond the gay marriage issue.”
The meetings came a week after conservative pastors meet to voice support for the amendment.
Florida already has a law restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples, but supporters of the amendment say the law could be overturned in court.
The conservative group Florida4Marriage attempted to have the proposed amendment placed on the 2006 ballot but fell short of the required number of signatures. Under Florida law, the organization was allowed to continue to add names to the petition in a bid to get it on the 2008 ballot. It was certified in February to go on the November ballot.
Last year it was discovered that the state GOP was bankrolling the amendment effort.
An investigation by the St. Petersburg Times into funding for the Florida4Marriage found that of the $193,000 that had been raised by the group $150,000 came from a single donor - the Florida Republican Party.
A Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month found that 55 percent of voters support the amendment - short of the 60 percent needed to amend the constitution.
Clergy to oppose Fla. anti-gay amendment
By 365gay Newscenter Staff
09.19.2008 2:57pm EDT
(Miami, Florida) Moderate religious leaders from across Florida are speaking out against a proposed amendment to the state constitution which would ban same-sex marriage and could be used to deny benefits to co-habitating non-married couples - both straight and gay.
Dozens of pastors and rabbis met in meetings in six areas statewide this week to denounce the proposed amendment, saying they will tell their congregations to vote against it in November.
Leaders of Fairness for All Families, the umbrella group formed to fight the amendment, attended all six meetings, telling the religious leaders that the amendment would affect people of all faiths and do far more than ban same-sex marriage.
“This will prohibit the Legislature from conducting civil unions or anything that would give, by law, any substantial rights to partners,” Beth Fountain, the Tampa Bay field organizer for Fairness for All Families told a meeting in Clearwater. “This goes well beyond the gay marriage issue.”
The meetings came a week after conservative pastors meet to voice support for the amendment.
Florida already has a law restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples, but supporters of the amendment say the law could be overturned in court.
The conservative group Florida4Marriage attempted to have the proposed amendment placed on the 2006 ballot but fell short of the required number of signatures. Under Florida law, the organization was allowed to continue to add names to the petition in a bid to get it on the 2008 ballot. It was certified in February to go on the November ballot.
Last year it was discovered that the state GOP was bankrolling the amendment effort.
An investigation by the St. Petersburg Times into funding for the Florida4Marriage found that of the $193,000 that had been raised by the group $150,000 came from a single donor - the Florida Republican Party.
A Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month found that 55 percent of voters support the amendment - short of the 60 percent needed to amend the constitution.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tampa Bay Times: Interfaith group counters push for gay marriage amendment
Clergy Speak Out Against Amendment 2
By Sherri Day, Times Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, September 17, 2008 10:17 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLEARWATER — A group of interfaith leaders pledged Wednesday to use their pulpits and influence to defeat Amendment 2, the constitutional measure that would essentially ban gay marriage in Florida.
The ministers and rabbis agreed to preach sermons, organize town hall meetings and ask their members to volunteer to work phone banks. The clerics also plan to hold a public rally on Oct. 26 to outline what they describe as the amendment's dangers.
Sixteen leaders gathered for Wednesday's strategy session, just a week after a group of Baptist pastors and other ministers met in Gibsonton to launch a statewide campaign to rally conservative Christians in favor of the amendment.
That effort, which drew about 50 people, was one of six planned statewide.
The leaders who gathered in Clearwater admit they lack money and organization.
Representatives from Fairness for All Families told them to get the word out that the amendment would do more than outlaw gay marriage. They argue that it would adversely affect people of all religions, sexual orientations and ages who are coupled but unmarried.
"This will prohibit the Legislature from conducting civil unions or anything that would give, by law, any substantial rights to partners," said Beth Fountain, the Tampa Bay field organizer for Fairness for All Families. "This goes well beyond the gay marriage issue."
The amendment would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and would not recognize any other legal pairing.
The Rev. Tom Messer, a Jacksonville pastor who is organizing the conservative Christian effort, said the amendment's opponents are using deceptive arguments.
"Amendment 2 is not going to take away any existing rights and benefits from anyone," said Messer, who has now met with more than 200 pastors throughout the state. "It's not changing the law."
The Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater, hosted Wednesday's meeting. He called the leaders together after he learned about the conservative Christian leaders' efforts.
The gathering drew Christian and Jewish leaders from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, representing a diverse mix of denominations, including two synagogues, the Unity Church, the Potter's House and the United Church of Christ.
Though determined, their opposition has a head start. The amendment proponents have been organizing for nearly two moths, offering yard signs, a Web site detailing suggestions for sermons and materials to distribute to congregations.
On Wednesday, Fountain provided the clergy with yard signs and other materials but said her organization had run out of campaign materials.
Still, Janamanchi says he is not worried.
"I'm not intimidated," he said. "If anything, I feel energized."
The interfaith leaders said they feel compelled to show voters, both religious and secular, that believers are not monolithic in their politics.
"People of faith need to respond to a discriminatory amendment that has been backed by another group of faith-based people," said the Rev. Phyllis Hunt, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in Tampa. "I don't want one small section of the whole faith-based community to be the only voice speaking on an issue. Conservative Christians are not the only faith-based voice."
Several of the ministers pledged to use their pulpits to speak about the issue on Oct. 19, the day before early voting begins. That is the same day Messer's group has designated as "marriage Sunday," asking pastors to preach sermons in favor of the measure.
Rabbi Stephen Moch, who leads Congregation B'Nai Emmunah in Tarpon Springs, said he plans to give a sermon on the issue at a Friday service prior to that Sunday.
"It's critical for us not to succumb to the politics of fear and exclusion and to stand up for people's freedoms and rights … and reach out to people in love," Moch said. "That's the true religious response, as opposed to a reactionary response which unfortunately is what many religious leaders on the right are evoking from their congregants."
Sherri Day can be reached at sday@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3405.
By Sherri Day, Times Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, September 17, 2008 10:17 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A mirror in the social hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater reflects a group of ministry leaders who oppose Amendment 2, which would essentially ban gay marriage.
CLEARWATER — A group of interfaith leaders pledged Wednesday to use their pulpits and influence to defeat Amendment 2, the constitutional measure that would essentially ban gay marriage in Florida.
The ministers and rabbis agreed to preach sermons, organize town hall meetings and ask their members to volunteer to work phone banks. The clerics also plan to hold a public rally on Oct. 26 to outline what they describe as the amendment's dangers.
Sixteen leaders gathered for Wednesday's strategy session, just a week after a group of Baptist pastors and other ministers met in Gibsonton to launch a statewide campaign to rally conservative Christians in favor of the amendment.
That effort, which drew about 50 people, was one of six planned statewide.
The leaders who gathered in Clearwater admit they lack money and organization.
Representatives from Fairness for All Families told them to get the word out that the amendment would do more than outlaw gay marriage. They argue that it would adversely affect people of all religions, sexual orientations and ages who are coupled but unmarried.
"This will prohibit the Legislature from conducting civil unions or anything that would give, by law, any substantial rights to partners," said Beth Fountain, the Tampa Bay field organizer for Fairness for All Families. "This goes well beyond the gay marriage issue."
The amendment would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and would not recognize any other legal pairing.
The Rev. Tom Messer, a Jacksonville pastor who is organizing the conservative Christian effort, said the amendment's opponents are using deceptive arguments.
"Amendment 2 is not going to take away any existing rights and benefits from anyone," said Messer, who has now met with more than 200 pastors throughout the state. "It's not changing the law."
The Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Clearwater, hosted Wednesday's meeting. He called the leaders together after he learned about the conservative Christian leaders' efforts.
The gathering drew Christian and Jewish leaders from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, representing a diverse mix of denominations, including two synagogues, the Unity Church, the Potter's House and the United Church of Christ.
Though determined, their opposition has a head start. The amendment proponents have been organizing for nearly two moths, offering yard signs, a Web site detailing suggestions for sermons and materials to distribute to congregations.
On Wednesday, Fountain provided the clergy with yard signs and other materials but said her organization had run out of campaign materials.
Still, Janamanchi says he is not worried.
"I'm not intimidated," he said. "If anything, I feel energized."
The interfaith leaders said they feel compelled to show voters, both religious and secular, that believers are not monolithic in their politics.
"People of faith need to respond to a discriminatory amendment that has been backed by another group of faith-based people," said the Rev. Phyllis Hunt, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in Tampa. "I don't want one small section of the whole faith-based community to be the only voice speaking on an issue. Conservative Christians are not the only faith-based voice."
Several of the ministers pledged to use their pulpits to speak about the issue on Oct. 19, the day before early voting begins. That is the same day Messer's group has designated as "marriage Sunday," asking pastors to preach sermons in favor of the measure.
Rabbi Stephen Moch, who leads Congregation B'Nai Emmunah in Tarpon Springs, said he plans to give a sermon on the issue at a Friday service prior to that Sunday.
"It's critical for us not to succumb to the politics of fear and exclusion and to stand up for people's freedoms and rights … and reach out to people in love," Moch said. "That's the true religious response, as opposed to a reactionary response which unfortunately is what many religious leaders on the right are evoking from their congregants."
Sherri Day can be reached at sday@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3405.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Florida Opponents of Proposition 2 Have Over 24,000 Friends on Social Networking Sites
Why Candidates are Not Targeting Younger Voters on TV
With over 19 social networking sites against Florida's Proposition 2 alone, it is no wonder!
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 03:28PM
Political campaigns—take note!
Have you been paying attention to all the fascinating news about how the Internet is increasing becoming a leading source of campaign information for young voters?
According to the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace play a crucial role in the scheme of things.
According to the article, 42 percent of young voters, ages 18 to 29, say they regularly learn about campaign news from the Internet—the highest percentage for any news source. That number slightly doubled compared to the last presidential election season in 2004. In Florida, there are over 19 different social networking communities registered against Proposition 2. Facebook and MySpace alone have over 24,000 Proposition 2 opponents combined.
Yes, we’ve undoubtedly entered a new era of political campaigning where even Web sites are “so last season”. Social media is where the key target markets can be reached. Today, it’s more than raising money and spreading the word, it’s about establishing relationships and starting conversations—and it can be done without knocking on a single door.
In a study of college students conducted by Burst Media, one third spent at least 10 hours a week on the Internet. Less than 20 percent of those surveyed spent that much time watching TV or listening to the radio. What does this mean to candidates and those pushing for laws or amendments? It means that if you want the vote of young voters, social media and other Internet outlets are the way to achieve your goals.
Although success can be measured by how many friends you have on MySpace or how many fans your cause has on Facebook, the real success comes in following these potential voters through the election. Reaching out to young voters is one thing, but social networking initiatives have to do more than create buzz. They have to inspire our youth to make a difference and support your cause.
Integrated social networking campaigns have the power to gain awareness, promote causes and increase bottom line results in a variety of industries. Whether it’s raising money for a nonprofit organization, gaining new business for a local company or winning over the votes for or against a particular candidate—social media is changing the game.
The Obama and McCain campaigns have worked hard in their fight to win Florida’s electoral votes targeting younger voters. Because of the excitement and hype around the presidential campaign, opponents of Proposition 2 have benefited by social networking sites. All together, online communities against Proposition 2 have grown to an estimated 24,000 supporters.
What should this say to the dedicated campaign staff that is working so hard to defeat Proposition 2 in Florida? If opponents of Prop 2 focuses efforts on building up the existing 19 social networking communities and rally them against the proposition, the campaign could go viral over night and result in over 100,000 votes against Prop 2. We all know that if we turn out 45,000 to 90,000 votes against Proposition 2, it will lead to its defeat.
Please join me in my opposition to Proposition 2 by clicking on the link below and impacting this election way greater than any ad on network TV ever could while taking our fight for equality viral!
Stop Proposition 2!
With over 19 social networking sites against Florida's Proposition 2 alone, it is no wonder!
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 03:28PM
Political campaigns—take note!
Have you been paying attention to all the fascinating news about how the Internet is increasing becoming a leading source of campaign information for young voters?
According to the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace play a crucial role in the scheme of things.
According to the article, 42 percent of young voters, ages 18 to 29, say they regularly learn about campaign news from the Internet—the highest percentage for any news source. That number slightly doubled compared to the last presidential election season in 2004. In Florida, there are over 19 different social networking communities registered against Proposition 2. Facebook and MySpace alone have over 24,000 Proposition 2 opponents combined.
Yes, we’ve undoubtedly entered a new era of political campaigning where even Web sites are “so last season”. Social media is where the key target markets can be reached. Today, it’s more than raising money and spreading the word, it’s about establishing relationships and starting conversations—and it can be done without knocking on a single door.
In a study of college students conducted by Burst Media, one third spent at least 10 hours a week on the Internet. Less than 20 percent of those surveyed spent that much time watching TV or listening to the radio. What does this mean to candidates and those pushing for laws or amendments? It means that if you want the vote of young voters, social media and other Internet outlets are the way to achieve your goals.
Although success can be measured by how many friends you have on MySpace or how many fans your cause has on Facebook, the real success comes in following these potential voters through the election. Reaching out to young voters is one thing, but social networking initiatives have to do more than create buzz. They have to inspire our youth to make a difference and support your cause.
Integrated social networking campaigns have the power to gain awareness, promote causes and increase bottom line results in a variety of industries. Whether it’s raising money for a nonprofit organization, gaining new business for a local company or winning over the votes for or against a particular candidate—social media is changing the game.
The Obama and McCain campaigns have worked hard in their fight to win Florida’s electoral votes targeting younger voters. Because of the excitement and hype around the presidential campaign, opponents of Proposition 2 have benefited by social networking sites. All together, online communities against Proposition 2 have grown to an estimated 24,000 supporters.
What should this say to the dedicated campaign staff that is working so hard to defeat Proposition 2 in Florida? If opponents of Prop 2 focuses efforts on building up the existing 19 social networking communities and rally them against the proposition, the campaign could go viral over night and result in over 100,000 votes against Prop 2. We all know that if we turn out 45,000 to 90,000 votes against Proposition 2, it will lead to its defeat.
Please join me in my opposition to Proposition 2 by clicking on the link below and impacting this election way greater than any ad on network TV ever could while taking our fight for equality viral!
Stop Proposition 2!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Q POLL; CRIST'S APPROVAL STILL HIGH; GAY MARRIAGE BAN FALLS SHORT
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/files/090808_fl_gov_bp.doc
Q POLL; CRIST'S APPROVAL STILL HIGH; GAY MARRIAGE BAN FALLS SHORT
Miami Herald "Naked Politics" Blog - - September 7, 2008
By Mary Ellen Klas
Gov Charlie Crist continues to ride high job approval ratings according
to a new poll from Quinnipiac University but the luck's not as good for
the ballot amendment he supports but is not actively campaigning for --
the amendment to ban gay marriages.
Florida voters are satisfied with the governor's performance, with 61
percent favorable compared to 25 percent who say he's doing a poor job.
But he isn't on the ballot this year and the proposal to enshrine in the
state constitution a definition that marriage is between a man and a
woman falls short of the 60 percent approval threshold. Voters support
Amendment 2 by 55-41 percent. Republicans favor it 76-21 percent while
Democrats oppose it 51-45 percent.
Two of the three other amendments, which were stripped off the November
ballot last week by the Florida Supreme Court, also appeared in trouble.
The poll was taken from Sept. 2-4 and began before the court tossed the
amendments. But two nights of polling showed that Amendment 5, which
would have eliminated property taxes that pay for schools and replace
them with a sales tax and other revenues, was supported by 51-39
percent, short of the 60 percent needed for passage.
Amendment 9, which on its face indicated it was intended to give at
least 65 percent of public school funds to the classroom, also would
have opened the door to any state-sanctioned private school vouchers. It
appeared on its way to passage with 65 – 24 percent support.
The third proposal, Amendment 7, which would have eliminated the
century-old "no aid" provision that banned the use of state money for
religious institutions and also would have allowed for more school
vouchers, fell short of approval with voters opposed to it 57 – 38 percent.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/09/q-poll-crists-a.html
Q POLL; CRIST'S APPROVAL STILL HIGH; GAY MARRIAGE BAN FALLS SHORT
Miami Herald "Naked Politics" Blog - - September 7, 2008
By Mary Ellen Klas
Gov Charlie Crist continues to ride high job approval ratings according
to a new poll from Quinnipiac University but the luck's not as good for
the ballot amendment he supports but is not actively campaigning for --
the amendment to ban gay marriages.
Florida voters are satisfied with the governor's performance, with 61
percent favorable compared to 25 percent who say he's doing a poor job.
But he isn't on the ballot this year and the proposal to enshrine in the
state constitution a definition that marriage is between a man and a
woman falls short of the 60 percent approval threshold. Voters support
Amendment 2 by 55-41 percent. Republicans favor it 76-21 percent while
Democrats oppose it 51-45 percent.
Two of the three other amendments, which were stripped off the November
ballot last week by the Florida Supreme Court, also appeared in trouble.
The poll was taken from Sept. 2-4 and began before the court tossed the
amendments. But two nights of polling showed that Amendment 5, which
would have eliminated property taxes that pay for schools and replace
them with a sales tax and other revenues, was supported by 51-39
percent, short of the 60 percent needed for passage.
Amendment 9, which on its face indicated it was intended to give at
least 65 percent of public school funds to the classroom, also would
have opened the door to any state-sanctioned private school vouchers. It
appeared on its way to passage with 65 – 24 percent support.
The third proposal, Amendment 7, which would have eliminated the
century-old "no aid" provision that banned the use of state money for
religious institutions and also would have allowed for more school
vouchers, fell short of approval with voters opposed to it 57 – 38 percent.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/09/q-poll-crists-a.html
Friday, September 5, 2008
Sixty Day Countdown
Sixty days from today,
millions of Florida voters will vote NO on Amendment 2
Polling shows us that this amendment will be decided by a very slim margin. In the next 60 days, we must talk to 400,000 Florida undecided voters and make it clear that Amendment 2 will strip away essential domestic partner benefits and family protections.
millions of Florida voters will vote NO on Amendment 2
Polling shows us that this amendment will be decided by a very slim margin. In the next 60 days, we must talk to 400,000 Florida undecided voters and make it clear that Amendment 2 will strip away essential domestic partner benefits and family protections.When people understand the harm inflicted by Amendmet 2, they vote NO.
We know you will vote NO on 2 November 4th, but we need your help to reach 400,000 more voters who will vote NO.
There are two immediate ways you can help.
1) Phone Bank - Sign up to phone. If you like to talk - and we know you do - phone banking is a fun and effective way to educate voters.
2) Contribute - With your help, we'll use our enormous grassroots network to educate voters face-to face. We'll talk to voters on the phone and ask them to vote NO On 2. We'll mail tens of thousands of voters information on why Amendment 2 is bad for Florida. But we can only do it with your support.
We only have sixty days to ensure this mean-spirited amendment stays out of the Florida Constitution.
We need you now!
Sincerely,
Nadine Smith
Co-Chair, Fairness for All Families, Inc.
How Will Amendment 2 Hurt Seniors? Ask Paulina...
As a home health nurse, I have the amazing opportunity to work with Florida Seniors. Many of these seniors, approaching their 70's, 80's, 90's and sometimes 100's, have outlived their first husband or wife. Some of these seniors, have been lucky and blessed enough to find another life partner. Though, with respect to their first spouse, they choose to not remarry, these seniors may live with their 2nd life partner for 5, 10, 20, 30 + years.
Now, let's all be honest... how much do you know about your mother/father that lives out of state? Do you know how often they see their doctor?
Do you know what medications they take? Do you know if their diabetes is under control?
Most likely, you don't know the answers to those questions. It's because you live far away, and you have your own obligations and responsibilities in your own home. Your kids, your work, your spouse... the list goes on and on.
These life partners- whether gay, straight, old or young know all the answers to those questions. They know their partners, because... they are emotionally married and emotionally committed. What gives government the right to judge WHO should be ALLOWED to be considered "married". Since when does a piece of paper symbolize MORE than years and years and years of togetherness can symbolize?
I'm deeply saddened by the conservatives who preach about "less government"... but then want to micromanage my home and the homes of millions of Floridians.
Sincerely,
Paulina Testerman
Sarasota, FL
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