Dear Friends

As you will be aware, the government is planning to begin a consultation on changing the definition of marriage to introduce same-sex marriage .

We would urge you to show your support for marriage by signing the petition. You can add your name online at www.c4m.org.uk

Petition sheets can also be downloaded from the website, which contains more information about the Coalition.

The British public have a great respect and affection for marriage, and people from all sorts of backgrounds will be keen to ensure that the current definition of marriage is not tampered with. Please encourage your friends and neighbours to sign the petition too. Point them to the Coalition website, www.c4m.org.uk, or ask them to add their names to a petition sheet. But please don't do both - each person can only sign the petition once!

Signatories must be aged 16 or over and be a UK resident. You can contact the Coalition by email at: admin@c4m.org.uk or by phone on 0207 403 7879.

If you use the petition sheet, when you have gathered as many signatures as you can, please send it to:

C4M
8 Marshalsea Road
London
SE1 1HL

MARRIAGE IS UNIQUE
Throughout history and in virtually all human societies marriage has always been the union of a man and a woman. Marriage reflects the complementary natures of men and women. Although death and divorce may prevent it, the evidence shows that children do best with a married mother and a father.


NO NEED TO REDEFINE
Civil partnerships already provide all the legal benefits of marriage so there's no need to redefine marriage. It's not discriminatory to support traditional marriage. Same-sex couples may choose to have a civil partnership but no one has the right to redefine marriage for the rest of us.


PROFOUND CONSEQUENCES
If marriage is redefined, those who believe in traditional marriage will be sidelined. People's careers could be harmed, couples seeking to adopt or foster could be excluded, and schools would inevitably have to teach the new definition to children. If marriage is redefined once, what is to stop it being redefined to allow polygamy?


SPEAK UP
People should not feel pressurised to go along with same-sex marriage just because of political correctness. They should be free to express their views. The Government will be launching a public consultation on proposals to redefine marriage. This will provide an opportunity for members of the public to make their views known.