Save us from the PA Legislature!

ACTION ALERT!

No, I'm not talking about the freakin' pay raise. I'm talking about the real damage that they try to do and how you can help.

Call your representatives TODAY and tell them to VOTE "NO" on H.B. 2381 and on budget amendments A06491 and A06630.

H.B. 2381
The PA House of Representatives is expected to vote on the so-called "marriage amendment" to the state Constitution probably today, Tuesday, April 4. The amendment (H.B. 2381), which would go far beyond existing PA law in taking away legal protections (for unmarried straight couples too!), has had its first of three required readings in the full House, and we're getting strong indications that the vote will happen today.

Here are some key reasons to oppose the amendment:

1. It's unnecessary and divisive. Pennsylvania already has a law that denies civil marriage for same-sex couples. As for claims that the marriage law is somehow under threat in Pennsylvania, the state Supreme Court recently ruled in the Devlin case that Philadelphia's domestic-partnership registry was only legal because it was something less than and distinct from civil marriage. Pushing this constitutional amendment only has one purpose -- exploiting fear of a minority for possible political gain.

2. So-called “marriage protection amendments” affect all families, not just same-sex families. While supporters in other states have said these amendments are only about same-sex marriage, that is not true. In Ohio, courts have ruled that unmarried people, including unmarried heterosexual couples, may not seek protection from abuse orders in domestic violence cases. The Beaver County Times in western PA looked in-depth at the legal mess Ohio's amendment has created. From the Times (Feb. 13, 2006):

Magistrates in some cases are also refusing protection from abuse requests for assault victims "living as a spouse" because it conflicts with the marriage (amendment).

"Based on anecdotal evidence, it's deterring women from coming forward because if they file charges and the charges are dismissed, it's worse than before. The batterer can retaliate," said Mike Smalz, senior attorney with the Ohio State Legal Services Association, which does advocacy work and represents clients in civil cases, including domestic violence victims.

(Columbiana County Assistant Prosecutor John) Gamble said the prosecutor's office has had four or five cases ruled unconstitutional. Three are currently in appeals court, where Gamble said cases have poured in from all over the state.

Budget Amendments A06491 and A06630
These two amendments would completely eliminate the Women's Medical Services program. In 2005 funding from the program provided medical care for 320,000 low-income patients. Elimination of these services is the type of outrageous extremism that simply will not be tolerated in our state.

The Women's Medical Services program helps to prevent countless unintended pregnancies, prevents the spread of sexually transmitted infections and literally saves lives through the early detection of breast and cervical cancers.

None of the funds from this program are used to promote, encourage or perform abortions.

If you don't know your rep. (or their phone #), you can find that info here.