Donald Cohen-Cutler is a Legislative Assistant for the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. He hails from the University of California, Davis.

Angelina Malfitano was not allowed to see the changes she helped to create. Angelina, a friend of mine, died this past Tuesday in a horrible car accident as she drove back to the University of California at Davis to receive the Chancellors award. This award, given to a few students each year, is for exemplary service to the university and the community. This award could not have been given to a more deserving candidate.

People describe her now and described her before her untimely death as a hero. She fought for ideas and worked with people. Her dedication to the rights and well being of all people was exemplified in her unfettered commitment to the cause of GLBT rights both on campus and politically. Angelina took up this cause with a true understanding of humanity and her belief that equality is not a luxury but a right that should be protected.

I believe whole heartedly that Angelina would have been, in Gandhi’s words, “the change [she] wanted see in the world;” in fact she already was. Her presence on the UC Davis campus and in the GLBT community was a driving force behind Conservative and Liberal communication regarding subjects of sexuality and equality. Angelina fought against the ideologies espoused by Conservative groups but took the time to work with all members of any organization. Angelina was the best kind of ally, friendly and fervent, warm and welcoming, committed and conscious.

This week, the Senate will vote on what opponents of marriage equality are lobbying for and calling the “Marriage Protection Amendment” (S.J. Res. 1), formerly known as the “Federal Marriage Amendment” to “preserve the sanctity of marriage.” This deceptively titled amendment would codify the inequality that same-sex couples face by denying them the same government benefits that heterosexual couples receive.

In Angelina’s memory, please contact your Senators and ensure that they will vote against the Marriage Protection Amendment this week.