From Americans United for Separation of Church and State:

URGENT MESSAGE to Americans United members and Supporters (sent BCC):

You are probably aware that the Florida Supreme Court earlier this month removed from the November ballot two badly worded and deliberately confusing amendments (7 and 9) to the State Constitution that would have allowed taxpayer funds to support religious organizations and activities, including vouchers to religious schools. (Another amendment, # 5, that would have endangered funding for public schools was also removed.)

But one amendment, # 2, that imposes certain religious views of marriage on all residents and appears to outlaw civil unions, regardless of whether same or opposite gender, remains on the ballot:

“Inasmuch as a marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”

Some states, with similar provisions in their Constitutions or legislation, have used those to outlaw domestic partnership benefits, such as those recently approved for same-sex and opposite-sex couples by the City of Sarasota.

If you oppose Amendment 2 or if you want to learn more about it, come to our information and planning meeting on this amendment, sponsored by the Sarasota-Manatee Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) and led by two Miami-based campaign organizers from ACLU-Florida.

Time: 7 pm Monday, September 15 (that’s this Monday)

Where: 2nd floor Public Meeting Room (elevator available) Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere Street (one half block east of US 41 near Sarasota Memorial Hospital). Lighted parking available at end of lot, or if that’s full, along the wall at the left side of the assisted living facility across the street.

From Suncoast Stonewall Democrats:

On November 4th, all Sarasota voters will be asked to vote on this change to our Constitution:

(Language of Amendment 2)
“Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.”

Learn why a “YES” vote could restrict YOUR rights!
2 Ways YOU Can Help Fight Amendment #2:

1: Vote No On 2 Town Hall Meeting
2: Sign up to Phone Bank in Sarasota

Vote No On 2 Town Hall Meeting Sponsored by The Gulfcoast Affirming Interfaith Network (GAIN)
When: Thursday, September 18, 2008 – 7:30 PM
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota - 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Who Should attend: It is really important that all fair minded citizens make every attempt to attend this Town Hall meeting to show support for defeating this amendment on Election Day

Speakers include:
Mary Anne Servian, Former Mayor, City of Sarasota
Ken Shelin, Vice Mayor, City of Sarasota
C.J. Czaia, Chairman, Manatee County Democrats
Nadine Smith, Executive Director, Equality Florida
Joe Saunders, Statewide Field Director, Fairness for All Families.

Panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A.

Sign up to Phone Bank in Sarasota Sarasota VoteNoOn2 Phone Banking

Join the Sarasota VoteNoOn2 team as we recruit volunteers and educate voters over the phone about the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment! Please consider a phone or laptop as there are a limited number of computer and phone lines available.
WEDS: 6:00 - 9:00pm & THURS: 7:00 - 9:00pm
ALSO OutYouth - 1470 Blvd. of the Arts - Sarasota

Sign up HERE:
http://www.fairness forallfamilies.org/eventslist.aspx?id=4&regi=3

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