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A Letter to Governor Rell

Windsor, CT
February 5, 2005

The Honorable Governor Jodi Rell
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106-1535

Dear Governor Rell:

My partner and I have been together nearly 16 years. Whether we actually do marry, or not, is not as important as being in a class of people considered worthy, acceptable for who we are, recognized eye to eye with nothing held back from us. Please try to understand our very real sense of being underclass so long as the civil right to marry the one person we love is denied.

Making “civil unions” available, even if attempts are made to extend all the marriage rights heterosexual couples enjoy, is not acceptable. Being required to eat in the kitchen rather than the dining room establishes two classes. Besides that, having access to civil unions would amount to a virtual dead end so far as legislation is concerned. Legislators and the public would be of the mind: “We’ve taken care of them, now let’s get on with our work,” and it would take years to get equal marriage rights on the calendar again.

I am aware that you have spoken out against equal rights for same-sex couples. When you pledge allegiance to the US flag and uphold the US Constitution remember that quite a group of law-abiding and country-loving citizens are waiting--albeit impatiently--for a new day. It’s time to put away your fears and do what you can in the name of “liberty and justice for all.”

Sincerely, and with hope,

Dorothy J. Many