Jerry's email update on the fight for Equal Rights (January 27, 2006)
  

REALITY CHECK: 
Our Opposition is Stronger
Than Ever, and SUCCEEDING!
 
Uphill Battle in MA:
The petition to strip all right and protections to GLBT couples and families may have all the votes it needs to pass.

 

Friends,

The first month of the year isn't even over yet, but our bigoted opposition, those that say people like myself and many on this distribution are threats to civilization itself, had made a great many advances just in the past few weeks. Take a look at the news stories below and you will see what I mean.  From endless new efforts to legally block protections, to elected officials using hateful grade-school slander in campaign speeches, to the successful right wing effort to pull the first realistic, gay-positive, network television show... this week was a pretty disturbing reality check.

In Massachusetts, MassEquality has sent out a mail campaign that provides clarity on just how much of a battle we have a head of us to try to stop the hateful Citizens Petition aimed to strip all legal protections of GLBT couples/ families.  MassEquality has a plan in place that can work, but it costs money.  I myself contributed last week, but will contribute even more this week as I have not seen their effort to collect the necessary funds gain much ground.  Friends, We still need to sway at least 30 more legislative votes in our favor to defeat this horrible amendment!!!  I ask you to please consider donating, whatever you can to MassEquality, the coalition of groups fighting for our rights; even if this is a type of donation that you do not usually make, or if you have already donated. This is an important fight that could change the direction of this country for the better of ALL.  
 

Significant Update This Week:

MassEquality uncovers over 2000 cases of petition fraud (including the names a a prominent civil rights lawyer and local NBC Sportscaster) 
MassEquality says it has discovered more than 2,000 cases where names were forged or people misled into signing petitions for a constitutional amendment.

MassEquality said that it had not completed its search of the names and expected to find more instances of abuse.

"We didn't have a lot of resources and we didn't have a lot of time," said Marc Solomon, MassEquality's campaign director. "But even our small sampling revealed thousands of voters who are shocked and outraged to find their name appears on this anti-gay, anti-family measure. If we were able, in our limited review, to identify this many people whose signatures were essentially stolen, we are quite sure there are tens of thousands more who we have not yet uncovered. That's why we are asking for this investigation."

One of the names it found was that of civil rights lawyer Barbara Dougan.

“I was just astounded and then I was very angry,” Dougan told the Boston Herald. “How dare someone steal my signature and my professional credibility."

Another name was that of  Joe Amorosino, the sports director of a local television station.

“I was outraged to realize that my name had been used for such a cause," Amorisino told the Herald. "I am also thankful for all of those who have been tracking and challenging such fraud. Had I not been a visible name, this may not have been detected. It makes me wonder how much more of this may have gone on.”

A spokesperson for Gavin said that even without the 2,000 signatures the petition would still move forward. That's because Vote On Marriage - an umbrella group made up of the Catholic Church and evangelical groups - collected about double the number of signatures required.
FULL STORY FROM BOSTON.COM

FULL STORY FROM BAYWINDOWS.COM

FULL STORY FROM 365GAY.COM

FULL STORY FROM MASSEQUALITY/BOSTON HERALD
 
Counting heads

The lobby team: MGLPC lobbyist Bill Conley, MGLP Co-Chair Arline Isaacson, ACLU Legislative Director Norma Shapiro. All photos by Marilyn Humphries.

In less than four months, the next constitutional convention (ConCon) will convene on May 10. An anti-gay marriage amendment requiring only 50 votes for passage is expected to be on the agenda. Defeating that amendment represents the most difficult challenge yet for MassEquality, the organization leading the effort to preserve civil marriage rights for lesbian and gay couples in Massachusetts. 

In interviews with Beacon Hill staffers, lobbyists, legislators and long-time observers of state and gay politics, Bay Windows asked whether the organization’s legislative lobbying strategy could handle the fight ahead. The answer? A resounding maybe.

FULL STORY
  


 
In the months preceding the next constitutional
convention, Bay Windows will be looking at the strategies for defeating the anti-gay marriage amendment. 

In this first installment, efforts to lobby legislators are examined.

Related stories this week:

Counting heads

Lobbying 101

Arline Isaacson: on the frontlines

A tale of four amendments

 

 
 

TAKE ACTION
NATIONWIDE HERE!
Support Marriage Equality for ALL
From coast to coast, we are coming closer to achieving true marriage equality for GLBT Americans. But we need your help to fight efforts to deny marriage rights to same-sex couples, including any Constitutional amendment. Please, sign the Million For Marriage petition below, and be a part of this historic civil rights battle. Gay, straight, married, single...we need everyone who believes in marriage equality to stand up NOW.
Tell your Senator to Oppose the Marriage Protection Amendment
Tell your Senators that you oppose the "Marriage Protection Amendment."
 
Support Ford Motor Company
On the heels of ending a failed boycott against the Walt Disney Company, an anti-gay lobbying group called the American Family Association has called for a boycott of Ford Motor Company because of its family- friendly policies. Contact Ford today and let them know you appreciate their support of the LGBT community!
Support my friend's new online store and proceeds go to fight for Equality!

Visit the "Political Corrections" space of my friend Scott's new site http://www.thatissogay.net for more information.

HELP!

Elect Deval Patrick as MA Governor!!!
A man who can help defeat this attack and prevent future attacks on equality!!!

I encourage EVERYONE to go to his site and sign up for email updates on how to support his campaign 

 
MORE News Articles of Interest

Previous updates: 

 
New Canadian PM To Move Quickly On Gay Marriage Repeal   
(Ottawa) Stephen Harper says he wants to move quickly as leader of a fractious new Parliament to reopen the same-sex marriage debate.
FULL STORY
 

Virginia Anti-Gay Amendment Heads To Voters
(Richmond, Virginia) The Virginia Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would bar same-sex couples from marrying.
FULL STORY

  
Idaho GOP Takes New Stab At Anti-Gay Amendment 
(Boise, Idaho) Idaho Republicans began a new attempt on Tuesday to pass a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage. 
FULL STORY
 

NBC Drops 'Book Of Daniel'
(Los Angeles, California) NBC has dropped "The Book Of Daniel" from its schedule effective immediately.  The episode that was to have aired on Friday has been replaced with a rerun of "Law & Order"..

The Book of Daniel" featured two of primetime's few openly gay characters and was scripted by gay writer Jack Kenny.
FULL STORY
 

Administration Refuses To Release Gay Spying Documents 
(Washington) The administration is refusing to turn over documents related to allegations that it spied on LGBT civil rights groups.
FULL STORY 

 
Brownback 'Fruit' Slur Prompts Demands For Apology 
(Washington) Comments about same-sex marriage by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) has prompted angry demands by LGBT groups for an apology.
FULL STORY 

GOP Seeks Amendment To Block Alaska Gay Partner Benefits
(Juneau, Alaska) Despite a constitutional amendment already banning same-sex marriage in Alaska Republican lawmakers say it isn't enough. Now it wants a second amendment to prevent the state from providing benefits to the same-sex partners of Alaska state employees.
FULL STORY
 

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Consider Gay Marriage Amendment
(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Legislation to amend the state Constitution was filed Tuesday at the Pennsylvania legislature.
FULL STORY

Gay Rights Bill Passes Washington Senate
(Olympia, Washington) The Washington state Senate voted 25-23 Friday to pass an LGBT civil rights bill that ends a 30 year struggle by gays.
FULL STORY
 

Gay Marriage Bills Filed In Rhode Island 
Providence, Rhode Island: Two state lawmakers have filed bills that would legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.
FULL STORY
 

'Ten Commandments Judge' Using Gay Marriage In Gubernatorial Bid
(Montgomery, Alabama) Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is making a state ban on same-sex marriage a key component of his bid to succeed Gov. Bob Riley.
FULL STORY

 
U.S. Nixes Gay Inclusion At UN
(New York City) The United States joined with four of the world's most repressive regimes to reject an application by two international LGBT groups seeking to join a UN agency that advises the world body on economics and social issues.
FULL STORY

 
Michigan Gay Marriage Ban Means No Membership Community Center Tells Gay Couple 
(Warren, Michigan) A suburban Detroit same-sex couple is considering legal action after they were told Michigan's constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage means they can't get a family membership at Warren's community center.
FULL STORY

1/20/2006: 2006 Election Preview: New England focuses on gay marriage.

1/12/2006: MA Marriage Opponents Propose Limited Partner Benefits In Order To Strengthen Marriage Ban.

1/5/2006: GLAD Files Suit Asserting MA Anti-Marriage Ballot Question Is Unconstitutional.

12/29/2005: Bitter Battle Predicted Overt Mass. Anti-Gay Amendment.

12/22/2005: HELP IDENTIFY FAUDULENT SIGNATURES.

12/15/2005: ROLLBACK OF MARRIAGE RIGHTS IS NOW POSSIBLE IN MA.

12/1/2005: South Africa Legalizes Gay Marriage & Canada's Government Toppled.

11/17/2005: As Our biggest MA Democrat Opponent Steps Down, The Republican Party Steps Up Attack..

11/10/2005: Mixed Elections Results are encouraging

11/3/2005: Mass. Moves To Halt Fraud In Anti-Gay Measure!

10/19/2005: Supporters, foes of gay marriage in MA trade dirty tricks charges!

10/14/2005: Petition gatherers & clergy gather 25,000 signatures in just one weekend!!

10/7/2005: Petition gatherers & clergy gather 25,000 signatures in just one weekend!!

9/29/2005: Bishops of MA push their congregations to sign the Citizen's Petition to roll-back civil rights!

9/23/2005: MA BIGOTED PETITION BEGINS!

9/15/2005: WE WON!  MA Marriage Amendment DEFEATED!

9/8/2005: A Week of hope then DEVASTATION

9/1/2005: Mass GOP Gov. Romney Pressures Dem. AG To Certify Anti-Gay Petition Driven

8/25/2005: JERRY'S 1st YEAR ANNIVERSARY & MA plans second vote on marriage ban

8/19/2005: MA State Rep Changes vote on Marriage Amendment to "NO"

8/11/2005: U.S. poll: 
Support grows for gay marriage

8/4/2005: HELP! Equality Is Under Major Attack!

7/28/2005: TIME TO START GETTING ACTIVE AGAIN!

7/21/2005: CANADA MAKES IT OFFICIAL!

7/14/2005: CA STATE SENATE REVIVES MARRIAGE BILL!

7/7/2005: Oregon Senate Passes Civil Union Bill!

6/30/2005: Spain and Canada both Legalize same-sex marriage!

6/23/2005: California gay marriage bill may return soon

6/16/2005: Romney to Back a New More Extreme Plan to Ban Gay Marriage

6/9/2005: Civil Unions Bill Heads to Senate

6/2/2005: California Bill to Legalize Gay Marriage Dies

5/26/2005: SJC Justice Marshal defends courts

5/19/2005: 1 FULL YEAR OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE & NO APOCALYPSE!

View The Full Timeline/Newsletter History HERE

 

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