March 18th, Edition 

Friends,

If you live in MA and paying attention, you're aware that tensions are building.  If you are like me, you just want this struggle to keep marriage protections over with.  This not going to happen unless we all gather our strength for one more big burst of effort. We must motivate our friends, family and neighbors to do the same if we are to put an end to this attack (otherwise we will lose.)

We need to be heard louder than we are today, to win-over political and public opinion.  At this time we are not winning; national and even world-wide anti-gay organizations are successfully using their power and money to persuade MA to amend our constitution.  

I have learned from MassEquality, that if we are to defeat the current anti-marriage amendment, we NEED the votes of as many southern MA legislators as possible. Furthermore, I have learned that the legislators in my town of Quincy are critical to our success (currently only one out of 4 speaks in our support.) For these reasons, I ask that my friends from outside areas help us here in the Quincy/southern MA area in addition to your own local efforts. 
 

Please do everything you can to complete the following action items for the week, then encourage your family and friends to do the same.

This Week's TAKE ACTION Checklist: 3/18/06 = 3 Tasks

1. Write letters (rather than, or in addition to email) then call your representative and senator. ASK TO MEET THEM about the marriage petition. Many people find it uncomfortable to contact their legislators, but if you think about it, as a taxpayer, you are their boss.  MassEquality has specifically asked that in addition to your request to reject the marriage amendment petition, you ask to meet your legislators to discuss the matter.  If you are a married, same-sex couple, invite the legislators to your home to meet with you and 2-3 more married couples.  It is also important for the legislators to see that we live "normal" lives.   CLICK HERE for the letter I sent to my representative that you can use for ideas to write in your letter.  I'll be calling the offices of my senator and Representative inviting them to my home. These links can help you to contact your legislators as a joint force with MassEquality.   Contact your legislators   Quick district look up   How your legislator voted   How they voted 2005 [pdf]

2. Write a newspaper editorial for yourself and/or a friend.  Please help to keep a steady stream of letters in the public eye. The editorial section of local papers is one of the most powerful tools that we have to communicate and educate the people of MA.  Our politicians and their staff watch these areas very closely.  Unfortunately our opposition is already taking advantage of this tool.  In order to win over public opinion we must pay close attention to what our opposition is communicating.  We must try to have at least 2 letters published to counter each letter against us.  Our letters should address the arguments of our opposition then educate the public with additional facts and personal stories. HAS IT BEEN 30 DAYS?... WRITE ANOTHER LETTER!..  In general, local papers are easier to get published in and will allow you to be heard every 30 days.   Local Media Write to the media closest to you Recent Opposition in need of your Response   Recent Support of Equality   State-Wide & Boston Boston Globe: Send Editorial   Make room for 'bias' in adoption A family grows State-Wide & Boston The Boston Herald: Send Editorial   Adoption folly catching South Shore MA The Patriot Ledger:  Send Editorial   Another attack on the Catholic Church NO REBUTTAL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TO THIS LETTER! Pro-gay marriage crowd shows its hypocrisy Church is taking brave stand over banner READER'S VIEW: Church banner Brockton/Taunton Area  The Enterprise: Send Editorial       Plymouth Area Old Colonial Memorial: Send an Editorial       Attleboro Area The Sun Chronicle:  Send an Editorial        Fall River Area The Herald News:  Send an Editorial        Taunton Area Taunton Gazette:  Send an Editorial       Carver Area MA Carver Reporter  Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Areas The Sentinel Wareham Area Wareham Courier Send Editorials for above media to Editor: Tamson Burgess       Duxbury Reporter, Halifax Reporter, Marshfield Reporter, Pembroke Reporter  Send to Editor Scott Smith       Kingston Reporter  Send to Editor: Charles Mathewson Kingston Area MA

3. Sign up to attend the following events near Jerry.  In the next two weeks, we have four opportunities to protect equal marriage rights. Join us this Sunday as we collect postcards to be delivered to legislators, or gather more information at an organizing meeting in Hingham organizing meeting or a forum in Quincy. Then sharpen your communication skills and become a better advocate for marriage at our March 30th media workshop.    Sign up for the following events today. For more information, contact Amy Mello at AmyMello@MassEquality.org or 617-878-2307. Sunday, March 19 in Scituate Postcarding at Scituate's St. Patrick's Day Parade Collect postcards to be delivered to legislators before the start of the St. Patrick's Day Parade. 11:30 AM - 1 PM Meet in front of UU Church, 330 First Parish Road, Scituate Sign up here: http://www.massequality.org/action/volunteer.php?id=219 Wednesday, March 22 in Hingham South Shore Civil Marriage for All Meeting Join activists from the South Shore working locally to protect equal marriage rights. Find out more about local legislators and upcoming events. 7 - 8:30 PM Old Ship Church Parish Hall, 107 Main St, Hingham Sign up here: http://www.massequality.org/action/volunteer.php?id=220 Thursday, March 23 in Quincy Same-Sex Marriage Forum Sponsored by the Quincy Human Rights Commission and South Shore Civil Marriage for All, this debate will feature speakers both for and against equal marriage rights. 7 - 9 PM Crane Library, 40 Washington St, Quincy This event is free and open to the public. Thursday, March 30 in Quincy Marriage Equality Media Training Workshop Become a better advocate for marriage equality by joining this session presented by the MassEquality Education Fund and GLAAD. Learn how to effectively communicate your support for marriage equality and share your personal stories with others. 6:30 - 8:30 PM Parish of St Chrysostom, Corner of Hancock and Lindon St., Quincy Sign up here: http://www.massequality.org/action/volunteer.php?id=216 I look forward to seeing you at one of these exciting events.

With less than 2 months remaining, we still do not have the legislative support to defeat the marriage petition. We MUST try to prevent this measure from going to vote.  Polls show a sight majority of residents in support of equality.  Unfortunately, the demographic that supports us the most is also the least likely to get out and vote.