A North Carolina middle-school girl who wrote to all nine Supreme Court Justices for a ruling in favor of marriage equality on behalf of her same-sex parents has received a response.
According to a report in the Washington Blade, Cameron a 6th grader received the response from Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a letter dated Feb. 9 and made public earlier this week by the Campaign for Southern Equality, which posted the letter on its Web site.
Cameron’s letter read:
Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street N.E.
Washington, DC 20543
Hello,
My name is Cameron. I am eleven years old and I am currently in the 6th grade [in North Carolina]. I am the daughter of Susan and Sheila. I watched President Obama’s inauguration speech today and my parents pointed you out to me. They informed me that although President Obama is leading the fight for my parents to be treated equally, you and the other justices will be making very important decisions in the next few months. I know you are busy, but I hope you have time to read this letter.
My parents have been together for 26 years. They took me to New York on their 25th anniversary so that they could be legally married. I was so happy for them. They are the best parents a kid could ask for and I love them so much. I would like to see their marriage recognized here in our home state. Please look at our photos and think of us when you make decisions based on gay rights. We are a family. I am very proud of my parents and I hope you understand how your decision will affect my family.
If you have any concerns about the welfare of kids of gay parents, I can tell you that I am doing great. I am so loved. Everyone I know tells me I am such a lucky kid. My parents are my life. They quiz me before tests and make sure that I am doing well in school. I was the top student in my class last year and have made Headmaster’s List every 6 weeks. I play travel soccer and I am currently trying out for the Olympic Development Program which means they dedicate most of their weekends to traveling all over the state so that I can compete against other teams. I also play tennis. A couple of years ago I collected 200 soccer balls and sent them to Liberia for kids who do not have soccer balls. I have many good friends who love my parents. I have never been teased. I think things are going very well. Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
Cameron
In her response Sotomayor says she can’t comment on an issue pending before the Supreme Court — in this case marriage equality, which is at issue in the court challenges to California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act. Still, Sotomayor urges Cameron to keep thinking about important issues and ends with an encouraging message to keep “dreaming big.”
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director for the Campaign for Southern Equality, said Cameron’s letter speaks for itself on why families like hers should have access to marriage.
“Cameron’s powerful words about being part of an LGBT family in the South get at the heart of the issues before the Supreme Court this month,” Beach-Ferrera said. “Should this loving, supportive family, raising an amazing kid, have the same legal protections as other families? From my viewpoint, Cameron makes the case clearly: the answer is ‘yes.’”
Oral arguments in the Prop 8 case are set for March 26 and in the DOMA case are set for March 27. Justices are expected to render a decision before their term ends in June.
A Very interesting email written by two gay parents.. please stop the propaganda…
. You have a funny way of spelling ‘truth’.