Subject: Delayed = Denied
From: "Chris Coons & Patrick Leahy" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:41:21 -0400 (EDT)

R.Hunter,

What an historic day.

Just yesterday, we chaired the first-ever congressional hearing focused on repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), bringing us even closer to restoring the rights of all lawfully married couples to receive the full benefits of marriage under federal law.

Now, on the heels of our successful hearing, we're rallying the American people to join the 145 congressional co-sponsors who are on the record in support of repealing DOMA, in an effort to win over the support of our colleagues who are still on the fence.

We respect marriage -- for all Americans, including same-sex couples. Will you stand with us?

Sign on as a Citizen Co-sponsor of our DOMA-repeal legislation at www.WeRespectMarriage.com.

We've got lots of momentum behind us.

In fact, a majority of Americans -- 53 percent -- now believe same-sex couples deserve the same right to marry as everybody else.

So when the Obama administration announced it would no longer defend the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in federal court earlier this year, we went a step further and co-sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act to completely repeal DOMA. On Tuesday, President Obama added his name as an official endorser of our legislation, too.

Then, just last month, this growing public acceptance -- and the persistence of the pro-equality community -- persuaded a bipartisan majority of legislators in New York to approve same-sex marriage legislation, after previously rejecting it.

Nevertheless, until we repeal DOMA, federal law will continue treating gays and lesbians unequally. That's wrong -- and we need to do something about it.

Sign on as a Citizen Co-sponsor of our DOMA-repeal legislation at www.WeRespectMarriage.com.

Justice delayed is justice denied, and for those lawfully wedded same-sex couples who have been denied the full federal recognition we both enjoy in our own marriages, the Respect for Marriage Act is long, long overdue.

That's why -- even if you've already contacted Congress or spoken out against DOMA -- it would mean so much if we could publicly list your name as a Citizen Co-sponsor of our legislation to right this terrible wrong.

Sign on as a Citizen Co-sponsor of our DOMA-repeal legislation at www.WeRespectMarriage.com.

It's often said that the wheels of justice grind slowly, but we're teaming up to pick up the pace.

We hope you'll join with us.

Sincerely,

Chris Coons
U.S. Senator

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator

SIGN TODAY: http://www.WeRespectMarriage.com

CONTRIBUTE: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/coons-main?refcode=email072111

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