Yup. I’m pretty okay with his position in our fine and dandy place called CT.
“Although I do not support gay marriage, I believe that states have the right to adopt for themselves laws that allow same-sex unions, which is why I do not support the amendment as drafted since it precludes states from adopting all such arrangements.” Joe Lieberman
Here here Joe! Here here!
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 15:31:41 -0500
From: correspondence-email@lieberman.senate.gov
Subject: Correspondence From Senator Lieberman
November 18, 2004
Mr. Gary Ploski
P.O. BOX 7245
Prospect, CT 06712
Dear Mr. Ploski:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about same-sex
marriages. It is good to hear from you.
Whether to enable same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships
to assume some or all of the legal obligations and benefits provided by
marriage is an extraordinarily challenging and important issue. I have
long believed that marriage is a time-honored sacred institution, to be
shared by one man and one woman, which is why I supported the Defense of
Marriage Act. That legislation, signed into law by former President Bill
Clinton in 1996, defines marriage for the purposes of federal laws as a
union between a man and a woman and makes clear that no state should have
to recognize same-sex marriages authorized in other states.
The most recent legislation regarding same-sex marriage was the Federal
Marriage Amendment (S. J. Res. 40) introduced by my colleague, Senator
Wayne Allard (R-CO). As you may know, the Federal Marriage Amendment was
defeated on a procedural motion on July 14, 2004, by a vote of 48-50.
Although I do not support gay marriage, I believe that states have the
right to adopt for themselves laws that allow same-sex unions, which is
why I do not support the amendment as drafted since it precludes states
from adopting all such arrangements.
I believe that same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships
should have the option to assume some of the legal benefits and
obligations conferred by civil marriage. This, in my view, is a
reflection of the basic American ideals of fairness and equality, which
demand that we take concrete steps to end discrimination against gay men
and lesbians. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Domestic Partnership
Benefits and Obligations Act (S. 1252), introduced by Senator Mark Dayton
(D-MN), which would extend job-related benefits such as health insurance,
retirement benefits, and life insurance to domestic partners of federal
employees. I am also a long-time leading cosponsor of the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (S.1705), sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy
(D-MA), which would outlaw workplace discrimination based on sexual
orientation. I also believe that we must evaluate the numerous benefits,
rights, and privileges afforded to married couples under federal law in
order to determine whether to extend them to same-sex couples in
long-term, committed relationships.
My official Senate web site is designed to be an on-line office that
provides access to constituent services, Connecticut-specific information,
and an abundance of information about what I am working on in the Senate
on behalf of Connecticut and the nation. I am pleased to let you know
that I have launched an email news alert service through my web site. You
can sign up for any number of topi-specific email news alerts by visiting
http://lieberman.senate.gov and clicking on the “Subscribe Email News
Alerts” button at the bottom of the home page. I hope this service is
informative and useful.
Thank you again for letting me know your views and concerns. Please
contact me if you have any additional question or comments about our work
in Congress.
Sincerely,
Joe Lieberman
JIL:kda