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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
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RETURN TO > 2004 > NEWS > HOME
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2004
CONTACT: Matthew Gallagher, Executive Director
Office: 202.861.0017
Cell: 301.325.7650
DignityUSA Appalled by President Bush's Call for Constitutional Amendment
DignityUSA, the leading organization for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics is appalled that President Bush would support amending the constitution to include discrimination. GLBT Catholics and non-Catholics alike are working for equal rights in all parts of society, but the President wants to keep these citizens from enjoying the same rights as heterosexuals.
"It is obvious that the President does not wish to unify our country during this election year, but rather cause division," said Matthew Gallagher, Executive Director of DignityUSA. "This is an issue of basic human rights. Why should we write discrimination into our Constitution? Why can't all citizens of this country enjoy equal rights?"
DignityUSA and its local chapters have been celebrating same-sex unions for many years. A registry is kept of those who have made public statements of their love for one another. During their biennial convention last summer, DingityUSA passed a resolution calling for equal rights in the country for same-sex marriage and recognition of holy unions by the Church and Society.
"President Bush wants to sanctify marriage but is confusing the role of our government with the role of our churches. The government does not sanctify any relationships, " said Sam Sinnett, President of DignityUSA. "Marriage has 'always' been between a man and a woman but only for the majority heterosexuals,' its never been that way for homosexuals. Naturally, the God-created desire for the loving intimacy of marriage should only be between two adults of the same gender for homosexuals. Why would our president and our federal government want to interfere with that and use our sacred Constitution to take away rights from any minority group of citizens?"
Further Sinnett said, "This is an appalling appeal for re-election based on dividing our great nation. Its sad and terribly ironic that civil rights has always been fought by some extremist religious elements in our country but thankfully pushed for by our courts. We are a nation founded on individual liberties that the majority may not take from any minority. The President's divisive comments about 'activist judges' sound like something one might have expected from his opponents after the November 2000 election."
DignityUSA calls upon all elected officials to prevent adding discrimination into the Constitution of this country and to work to provide equal rights to all citizens, regardless of religion or sexual orientation.
DignityUSA is the nation's foremost organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their families, friends and supporters. Founded in 1969, it is an independent nonprofit organization with members and Chapters across the country.
