From: action@dcaclu.org Subject: 08-15-01 -- ACLU Action Update: Oppose Writing Intolerance into the Constitution! Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 18:48:59 -0400 TO: ACLU Action Network FR: Jared Feuer, Internet Organizer DT: August 15, 2001 Starting with the Bill of Rights, amendments to the U.S. Constitution have been the source of most of its protections for individual liberty. Despite this proud tradition, plans have been announced to introduce a constitutional amendment that would attack the basic rights of millions of Americans. This amendment, currently being called the "federal marriage amendment," would not only define marriage as strictly between a man and a woman, but invalidate all legal protections for unmarried couples -- gay or straight. The legal protections that would be invalidated include state and local domestic partnership laws, laws prohibiting discrimination based on "marital status" and even laws protecting unmarried elderly couples who refrain from marrying in order to hold on to their pensions. In short, proponents of this extreme amendment are so concerned about preventing gay marriage that they would wipe out every single law protecting nontraditional families no matter what their sexual orientation. As a result, the proposed amendment would deny all protection for the most personal decisions made by millions of families. Take Action! You can read more about this amendment and send a FREE FAX to your Members of Congress from our action alert at: http://www.aclu.org/action/marriage107.html Thank you.