| Senator
DeWine Bows to Exremist Pressures
Chooses Lesbian and Gay Americans as Political Pawns
COLUMBUS, OH – U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine of Ohio announced his
support on Thursday for the Federal Marriage Amendment, a divisive measure
of historical proportions that would constitutionally exclude all gay
Americans from the civil right to marry.
Although DeWine has previously expressed his opposition to equal civil
marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, he had not previously announced
support for the FMA. Thursday, he put himself and Ohio squarely in the
center of the campaign to write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution
by becoming a co-sponsor of the FMA.
“Ohioans cannot and will not sit idly by as one of their elected
officials turns his back on his own constituents to score political points,”
said Lynne Bowman, executive director of Equality Ohio. “Simply
put, harming lesbian and gay couples and their families to get re-elected
is disgraceful.”
Equality Ohio has already begun engaging people across the state, encouraging
those who care about equality to reach
out to DeWine and help him understand why his decision hurts citizens
and families.
“Senator DeWine has, in the past, voiced his concerns about anti-equality
legislation – including the Federal Marriage Amendment,” Bowman
continued. “I am deeply disappointed, but I am hopeful that he will
listen to those constituents the FMA would affect the most.”
Equality Ohio’s mission is to serve as an advocate and champion
for fair treatment and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender citizens; to facilitate a greater understanding of our common
humanity through education and outreach efforts; to engage and empower
individuals, families, organizations, businesses and institutions in Ohio's
urban, suburban, and rural areas; and to collaborate with local, regional,
statewide, and national organizations and government agencies. See http://www.equalityohio.org.
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