LANSING – On Feb. 24, the proposal to write discrimination into Michigan's Constitution was given the green-light to proceed by the Family and Children Services Committee. This means that the resolution was sent to the Michigan House and the Michigan Senate for a vote. If the resolution passes by a 2/3 majority in both the House and Senate the issue of amending the constitution to prevent same-sex couples from being recognized in any legal way will be put on the Nov. 2004 ballot. In other words, voters will be given the chance to decide whether gays and lesbians deserve to be second-class citizens. Putting the rights of a minority to a vote of the majority is at odds with democracy.
It is absolutely crucial that you, your family, your friends, and anyone you know who believes that amending the constitution is wrong contact your elected representatives immediately. Many people who do not support marriage for same-sex couples still think that amending the constitution is going too far. This is a divisive issue that right-wing groups like The American Family Association are pushing hard for. Republicans are hoping that having this issue on the ballot will bring out voters for George W. Bush and help get him reelected.
The following representatives have been identified by the Triangle Foundation as needing to hear from LGBT people and allies. Their contact information is listed as well as their party affiliation, district number and the approximate area they represent. They need to hear from people who live in their district. If you know anyone who lives in any of the areas below, please take a moment and talk to them about this issue and ask them to contact their representative. It can be as easy as a phone call to the office to say, "Don't support this resolution. It is wrong."
Even if your representative is not listed, you need to contact them, especially if you haven't already. Finding out who represents you is easy. Go to http://www.vote-smart.org or http://house.michigan.gov/representatives.asp. If you do not have Internet access, you can call the Clerk of the House at 517-373-0135 to find out who your State Representative is.
Lisa Wojno (Democrat)
District 28 – Macomb County (Center Line and part of Warren)
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-2275
Fax: 517-373-5910
N0792 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Frank Accavitti (Democrat)
District 42 – Macomb County (Eastpoint, Roseville, and part of Fraser)
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-0854
Fax: 517-373-5911
N0891 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Gary Woronchak (Republican)
District 15 – Wayne County (Dearborn)
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-0847
Fax: 517-373-7538
N0694 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
William O'Neil (Democrat)
District 14 – Wayne County (Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, and part of Allen Park)
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-0140
Fax: 517-373-5924
N0693 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Ruth Johnson (Republican)
District 46 – Oakland County (the following townships: Addison, Brandon, Groveland, Holly, Orion, Oxford, and Rose).
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-1798
Fax: 517-373-8574
N0895 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Shelley Taub (Republican)
District 40 – Oakland County (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield township, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Southfield township, Sylvan Lake)
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-8670
Fax: 517-373-5868
S0889 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Doug Hart (Republican)
District 73 – Kent County (Rockford, Cedar Springs, and the following townships: Algoma, Cannon, Courtland, Nelson, Oakfield, Plainfield, Solon, Sparta, Spencer, Tyrone)
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-0218
Fax: 517-373-5697
N1092 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Charles LaSata (Republican)
District 79 – Berrien County (Benton Harbor, Bridgeman, Coloma, St. Joseph, Watervliet, and the following townships: Bainbridge, Benton Charter, Coloma, Hagar, Lake Charter, Lincoln, Royalton, Sodus, St. Joseph Charter, and Watervliet)
[email protected]
Phone: 517-373-1403
Fax: 517-373-3652
N1098 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
