To My Friends and Email Contacts, 

I've had a couple discouraging responses from friends on my newsletter distribution.  Both made in jest, on how long these updates are going to continue.  

PLEASE STAY INVOLVED, by at least scanning through the headlines and action items on these updates.  CIVIL RIGHTS ARE AT STAKE.  I realize that we are all very busy, and this topic can be very "draining," but it takes just a couple minutes to browse through the headlines and take the occasional supported actions needed to secure the well being of others. 

Is it really that much effort?

TO MY STRAIGHT FRIENDS/CONTACTS:
Imagine how you would feel if you were told by the government that you are a less respected, deviant class of citizen that must not be allowed the same legal protections that others born into a different class are allowed.  That you pay taxes to support those protections for others but you are different, not worthy of the same legal rights.

TO MY GLBT FRIENDS/CONTACTS:
There are significant events occurring nearly every day that effect our futures.  Marriage rights are not a "done deal" in MA. As a matter of fact, if the legislative vote were today, WE WOULD LOSE.  If we do not secure this civil right in MA, there may be little hope on a national level. 

PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ACTION ITEM THAT MANY HAVE OVER LOOKED:
Only a few people have contacted their representatives using the link below. (I receive email confirmations)

If you have spoken out already, THANK YOU, but if not,  Please CLICK HERE NOW to go right to a pre-written letter to legislators from your state, telling the to oppose writing discrimination into the US Constitution.  It only takes about 60 seconds

IF YOU STILL FIND THESE UPDATES TO BE A NUISANCE AND WISH TO BE REMOVED FROM MY DISTRIBUTION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WOULD RATHER HAVE AN ACCURATE LIST OF PEOPLE WILLING TO SUPPORT, THAN A LARGE LIST WHO IGNORE.

  

If this information does not display properly in this mail,
it can also be viewed at:  http://home.comcast.net/~sscivilrights/newsletter.htm
  
   
  Jerry's email update on the fight for Equal Rights (February 24, 2005)
  

THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE CONTINUED UPDATES.

I take significant personal time and effort to compile updates from several sources so that others can stay informed and involved with as little effort as possible... 
...it takes just a couple minutes to browse through the headlines and take the occasional supported actions needed to secure the well being of others.  

Please help me to expand my distribution list to friends and family that you know of, that would, OR SHOULD be willing to better understand and support this issue.  Please forward my newsletters on to as many people as possible, encouraging them to request being added to my distribution.  

Notable item(s) this week:

Pope calls gay marriage 'evil'

In his new book, Pope John Paul II describes same-sex marriage as part of "a new ideology of evil" that is insidiously threatening society..

"It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man." 
FULL STORY


 
HRC ASKS POPE TO PROMOTE DIGNITY

    
MA. high court takes nonresident bias case
Massachusetts' highest court has agreed to take direct review of a challenge to state policies that presently block nonresident same-sex couples from getting married in Massachusetts.

Just before same-sex marriages went into effect last May, state officials dusted off a 1913 law that had originally been drafted to keep interracial couples from marrying in the Bay State. The law, which had never been enforced, stated that any marriage that could not be legally conducted in the couple's home state would be void from the start if conducted in Massachusetts.
FULL STORY
Please revisit my HRC, take action page.  

There is a new prewritten letter to send to your representatives in DC!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEND!
Submit an editorial to your local paper every 35 days.  Helpful suggestions
Please e-mail MA legislators Remind them that we are as determined as ever to defend equal marriage rights. 
Boycott FedEx!
They refuse to provide health benefits to married gay couples in Ma!
e-mail fedex.com to tell them what you think of their policy of predjudice.


call CBS today at:
(212) 975-4321
or e-mail them at:
audsvcs@cbs.com
Urge them to publicly clarify their position on the network's recent refusal to air the United Church of Christ's inclusionary ad.

Visit Dontamend.com

Volunteering at GLAD:
GLAD welcomes volunteers of all ages & backgrounds. Volunteers contribute invaluably to work toward Equal Justice Under Law.
Please consider getting involved
News Articles of Interest

Previous updates: 

 
Indiana Senate OKs Ban on Gay Marriages 
The Indiana Senate voted overwhelmingly Monday to make a ban on same-sex marriages a part of the state constitution, shipping the controversial issue to the House.

Senate Joint Resolution 7 was approved 42-8 after a brief debate. The measure is expected to pass the House easily, too.
FULL STORY
 

Romney's anti-civil-union talk angers gays
"Today, same-sex couples are marrying under the law in Massachusetts," the Boston Herald quoted the governor as saying. "Some are actually having children born to them. It's not right on paper. It's not right in fact. Every child has the right to have a mother and a father..."

"From day one I've opposed the move for same-sex marriage and its equivalent, civil unions," Romney said. 
FULL STORY

Gay Marriage Bill Introduced In Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island: Vowing to return to the legislature as many times as it takes to get a law passed, gay marriage supporters rallied today at the State House to re-introduce legislation that would legalize same-sex unions in Rhode Island..
FULL STORY

 
Montana House Dumps Bill to Protect Gays
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Montana House on Monday killed a bill that would have extended the state’s hate crimes law to protect gays.

The bill would have made it a crime to target people based such factors as age, economic condition, disability, gender or sexual orientation. It was rejected 54-46.
FULL STORY
 

CHECK OUT Margaret Cho's Marriage Equality Resource Site.
http://www.loveisloveislove.com
   

PLEASE DONATE TO OUR SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS! Our Opposition has gained significant ground! 

Join/Donate to the Human Rights Campaign

Donate to MassEquality

In a few months, a state Constitutional Convention will again vote on an Amendment to strip away equal marriage rights. This is our last chance to stop it in the Legislature and keep it off the ballot. If the vote were held today, we would lose!

Many people don’t realize that, but it’s true.  We’ll have to fight hard to win... but MassEquality, our leading supporter, 
is broke! They  bet the farm on last November’s elections — they simply had to — but now we have nothing left against opponents with deep, deep pockets.

Please act quickly to help us.  
Visit: www.MassEquality.org/gift

If we lose, discrimination will be embedded into the world’s oldest written Constitution — and thousands of families would have their marriages taken away by the state.

Your contribution will help to mobilize supporters of equality across the state... reach out to voters to influence the Legislature... build field operations... staff phone banks... send advocacy mail ... ramp up our online efforts... and hire professional lobbyists. In short, you’ll help us do everything it takes to win.

 
2/17/2005: MA to delay 2005 gay marriage vote.

2/10/2005: Three more states finalize amendments

2/3/2005: "I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage."- George W Bush

1/27/2005: FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS BACK

1/20/2005: White House Again Backs Amendment on Marriage

1/13/2005: Gay Marriage Tops Vatican’s 2005 Agenda

1/6/2005: 2005 kicks off civil rights granted & refused

12/23/2004: "equal" rights in CA begins January 1st

12/16/2004: Marriage reversal case begins in OR

12/9/2004: Canada & New Zealand grant marriage & union rights

12/2/2004: Supreme Court Declines Ma Gay Marriage Case

11/26/2004: ACLU Drops Marriage Case

11/18/2004: SS Marriage Ruling 1yr Later

11/11/2004: No marriage Backlash in Ma

11/4/2004: Dealing with the bad news!

10/28/2004: Last chance to spread the word...VOTE!

10/21/2004: Ohio's anti-gay "Issue 1" campaign gets ugly.

10//142004: La. marriage ban goes to state high court.

10//72004: LA Amendment is THROWN OUT.

9/30/2004: BUB-BYE Bigoted MA House Speaker.

9/23/2004: L.A. VOTES TOTAL DISCRIMINATION

9/16/2004: Primary elections victories for pro- equality candidates, but not for Jerry's.

9/9/2004: House is back in session, to debate marriage again!

9/2/2004: Tell Bush "YOU'RE FIRED"

8/26/2004: JERRY IS MARRIED!!!

View The Full Timeline/Newsletter History HERE

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