March 26th, Edition 

Friends,

FIRST, THANK YOU ANNE FOR DONATING TO MassEquality IN MY NAME!!!  I received a card from them today.  That was so nice; it is good to know that out of state friends are helping.

Special thanks to our friends Joe, Dave, Chris, Jay and David for traveling to join Quincy residents at the "Marriage Equality Forum."  I realize that folks have a lot of weeknight commitments but I was disappointed at the lack of participation on our side.  THE OUTCOME OF THE EVENING HAS FINALLY SPARKED THE ANGER TO MOTIVATE ME BACK INTO FULL ACTION.  The only other positive outcome for me was the chance to meet Rev. Sheldon Bennett, and a new hero in my life, JANICE DVORACK (please click on her name to read why.)

JERRY'S "EVENING IN REVIEW": 
I am thankful for the Quincy Human Rights Council's effort to discuss the issue of marriage equality but the format for the night, in my opinion was a destined fiasco.  With 90 attendees, we needed as much support as we could get. There were many supporters of equality but just as many anti-gay fanatics.    

There were 4 panel members and a moderator at the front of the room. The format was set so members of the audience were to ask one brief question of the panel and then sit down. The panel members where Paul Meoni, (the only person that I view as a qualified panel member) and his husband Tom Kidd, and from the Waltham-based group "Mass-Resistance", Colleen Roberts (who refused to provide any background) and "Dr." John Diggs, a Falmouth MA resident who has spent his career researching "out of marriage abstinence", pro-life arguments and anti-gay efforts for the far-right religious extremists. 

The night began with a highly emotional story on how Tom's brother was unable to cope with his own orientation; the intense strain pushing him to take is own life. Next, Paul spoke of his own life journey from disowner ship by his father, to the indescribable happiness of witnessing his joyful tears as his son was married to his husband Tom. 

From there the night went down hill.  Colleen Roberts denounced same-sex marriage as "selfish" and defined marriage as "an institution based on procreation that enables society to tailor the population to a higher standard." (hmmm, isn't that what Hitler said?).  Then, "Dr." (notice that I keep putting his title in quotes) John Diggs began his angry rants, using a bicycle lock and key -- then two keys bumping together as props, and quotes from George Orwell's fictional novels for his anti-gay arguments.  When I asked them to identify the sources of their quoted "research and studies" that they say prove the devastating potential of same-sex equality, Colleen wouldn't answer and Diggs referenced the radical right organization "NARTH" which stands for "The Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality" (narth.com.)   

The night just got plain ugly, tempers flared on both sides. Quincy residents Brian and Tim, and panel speaker Paul Meoni tried to reel the conversations back to the topic of civil marriage, but the moderator allowed the attacks on homosexuality in general to continue.  Elderly opponents cited the "exodus" ex-gay movement  and even shouted out bigoted slurs, before storming out.  I may be wrong, but it appeared to me that everyone left the meeting more polarized than when they went in.

ANOTHER QUINCY RESIDENT'S REVIEW: I was deeply troubled at the hateful and ignorant arguments that were made from the two panelists who do not support gay marriage, and some of the audience members who sided with them. These arguments and their pompous preaching fed on the old myths and stereotypes of gay and lesbian people which included the following. 

- Homosexuality as a sin - Sodom and Gomorrah . 
- Evils of not allowing school prayer . 
- Gays as predators. 
- Gay "agenda" forced in the schools. 
- Biological incapabitabilty of procreation. 
- Homosexuality as choice not and an orientation . 
- GLBT people's shorter life span (?). 
- Gays are only interested in sex with multiple partners and not monogamy. 
- Gay as the spreaders of AID and Disease. 
- Gay marriage as the downfall of society as we know it.

Hopefully reading the information above provides a little more insight as to what people might be thinking if they have the opportunity to vote to take away marriage protections.

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

TAKE ACTION Checklist: 3/26/06 = 3 Tasks

1. Mail letters 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 Taking the gay insults personally State-Wide & Boston The Boston Herald: Send Editorial   Adoption folly catching South Shore MA The Patriot Ledger:  Send Editorial   NO REBUTTAL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TO THIS LETTER! Pro-gay marriage crowd shows its hypocrisy Another attack on the Catholic Church 888 READER'S VIEW: Illness reaffirms need for marriage equality COMMENTARY: RELIGION: Children the losers in adoption fracas; As Catholic Charities, governor pose on same-sex couples, kids still need homes READER’S VIEW: Church is not part of Adams National Park 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 and participate!  P-L-E-A-S-E! 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.

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.