FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 6, 2006
Contact: Lynne Bowman, Executive Director
614-202-8869

DeWine Gets Swift Response from Ohioans

Columbus, OH - To date, residents in 18 of Ohio's 19 U.S. Congressional districts have contacted the office of Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine after he announced his co-sponsorship of the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Just a few hours after the news broke Friday morning, Equality Ohio created a web-based action campaign and sent an alert to thousands of Ohioans. That email was picked up and forwarded by many other organizations across the state that also support equality. An average of two letters per minute were sent to DeWine's Washington D.C. office in the campaign's first five hours.

“I think this response sends a clear signal that Ohioans are tired of their elected officials using lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender constituents and families as pawns for political gain,” said Lynne Bowman, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “Most citizens want action on issues of real importance, like health care and education.”

Residents in all 99 of Ohio's House Districts and all 33 of its Senate Districts wrote letters to voice their disappointment in DeWine's decision. Many of the letters were from people who had voted for DeWine previously. One letter reads, “Although I am a registered Democrat, I have found myself in support of many of your ideas, and had expected to support you in the next election. I can't possibly vote for you if you support this marriage amendment.”

The letters included heartfelt pleas for fairness and justice. Letters were sent by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens as well as allies, parents, partners, grandparents, foster parents, faith leaders, friends, community leaders, and others.

“We expect Sen. DeWine will take the time to learn how the FMA might impact his constituents by reading their letters with an open heart and mind,” said Bowman.

To participate and write your own letter to DeWine visit Equality Ohio's web site at http://www.equalityohio.org.

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