Let's write more letters!

BY JUSTIN MURDOCK

Another action alert.  My apologies that it is such a busy time for social justice issues in WV, but please don't lose steam!

A bill was introduced today that would make provisions for civil unions for same sex couples.  This would at least give some of the rights and protections of marriage while giving legislators an 'out' by not having to deal with the 'you're destroying traditional marriage' crowd.  Please take a minute to write a letter on this issue.  I have again added a template, but please personalize it in some way!  I have supplied email addresses for all members of the judiciary committee, which is the first place this bill will land. Let's go!

"Dear Delegate,

I am writing to you, a member of the house judiciary committee, and asking your support for legislation introduced by your fellow committee member John Doyle.  I ask that you would add your backing to the Civil Unions bill, HB4569.  This important bill would strengthen family values by giving more families in this great state the basic rights that they are denied simply because they are headed by same sex couples. Currently, such families are put in greater distress in the toughest moments of life because they are not awarded the simple dignity of doing things like making medical decisions for a life partner and many other simple but fundamental rights that most married couples don’t even have to think about.

As a legislator in my state, you have the awesome responsibility of holding the welfare of all citizens of this state as a first priority and standing up for the basic rights of all West Virginians.  I urge you to put the welfare of the great LGBT citizens who are part of what makes this state such a wonderful place. You can do this by supporting HB4569 as well as HB2045 which would provide these same citizens protections at work and in their housing. I know you will support providing these basic rights to your neighbors because it is quite simply the right thing to do.

Please let me know how I can help further this legislation.

Thank you in advance,

[insert contact info]"

Please copy this letter to these addresses.  You may also want to look up your own representatives in your district and send a letter to them as well. You can look up your delegates by name or district HERE and find their contact info.  Don't forget that all these members have phones as well and are elected to HEAR your voice!

tim.miley@wvhouse.gov, mhunt@markahunt.com, john.ellem@wvhouse.gov, patrick.lane@wvhouse.gov,  larry.barker@wvhouse.gov, bonnie.brown@wvhouse.gov, mike.ferro@wvhouse.gov, barbaraf@wvhouse.gov, john.frazier@wvhouse.gov, linda.longstreth@wvhouse.gov, tmanchin@manchininjurylaw.com, mike.manypenny@wvhouse.gov, harold@hardynet.com, clif.moore@wvhouse.gov, john.pino@wvhouse.gov, meshea.poore@wvhouse.gov, david.walker@wvhouse.gov, danny.wells@wvhouse.gov, bill.hamilton@wvhouse.gov, woody.ireland@wvhouse.gov, jonathan@delegatejmiller.com, john.oneal@wvhouse.gov, john@overington.com, kelli.sobonya@wvhouse.gov  

Thanks for taking action,
Justin