Subject:     Portrait of a Marriage New Mexico
Sent:        2/18/97 12:34 PM
Received:    2/18/97 9:26 AM
From:        Martha Trolin, Mojotro@aol.com
Reply-To:    New Mexico Queer Net, nmqn@laplaza.org
To:          New Mexico Queer Net, nmqn@laplaza.org
             LBG@NMSU.Edu


PORTRAIT OF A
MARRIAGE



AS GAYS AND LESBIANS, IF WE ARE TO GAIN THE RIGHTS WE SO NEED AS A
INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES, WE MUST BECOME LIVING, BREATHING REALTIES
TO THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT OUR LIVES. WE CANNOT AFFORD
TO HAVE THE LIKES OF THE CHRISTIAN COALITION MAKE US UP ANY LONGER.


WRITE YOUR NEW MEXICO LEGISLATORS ABOUT YOUR LIFE, YOUR RELATIONSHIP, YOUR
FAMILY!
Let him or her know especially, why you want and need them to oppose House
Bill  640 & Senate Joint Resolution 8 that would fence you out of the
protections afforded to opposite-gender couples such as:      
workplace benefits;  
bereavement leave; 
inheritance in the absence of a will; 
sick leave to care for a partner or partner's child; 
joint insurance policies for home, auto and health; 
crime victims' recovery benefits health care benefits, 
house insurance and on and on.  

After all, why should your relationship or family need any less protection
than any one else's?  Send a photograph of you with your partner, or your
family, or your kids, or your nieces and nephews along with your letter.
 Make your life real to your legislators and make him or her understand what
actions you need them to take on behalf of you, your partner and your family.


Paint them a portrait of a marriage.

Prepared by New Mexico Lesbian and Gay Political Alliance for The Coaltion
for Gay & Lesbian
Rights in New Mexico: For more information call -  Martha at 232-3760.