March 30th, Edition 

Friends, 

I'm requesting that friends in MA return an email response to me on the two new proposals below. 

Most of you have heard that the antiquated 1913 law originally designed to prevent interracial marriage, now used to block out-of-state gay couples from marrying in MA has been upheld by the MA Supreme Judicial Court.  Our fantastic Governor has gone even further to publicly state that he is glad that this failure will be contained within the state and that MA will not become the "Las Vegas" of gay weddings... Angry yet?.. You don't seem to be...

Normally I would not be so direct, but I consider this newsletter to be a distribution to friends that won't push away... Where are all the letters?..  For the last two weeks I have listed 3 relatively quick steps that can help to protect ALL marriages (including my own) in MA from hurtful attacks. One of the steps is to submit editorials to local papers.  Since that request was made, there has been a surge of anti-gay letters in the local press.  Links provided in the editorial tracking table below, provide examples that NEED to be countered.  Key legislators are watching.  I know folks have priorities, but this is your chance to make a difference.  Please try.

Thanks in advance for understanding and following up on this week's email.

Your Friend, 

Jerry
 

NEW ACTION ITEM UPDATES:
Due to the lack of response from friends so far, we need to somehow make an even stronger impact within the next 30 days.

  
ACTION / PROPOSAL #1
In the cases where friends do not have the time, I (we) WILL WRITE EDITORIALS FOR YOU.  I'll work with other friends that are still available for authoring and editing assistance. All you will need to do is edit at will and submit to your local papers.  The Patriot Ledger in particular is in need of attention as it is the paper that speaks directly to the legislators that need attention. 

PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO ME CONFIRMING THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO SEND IN AN EDITORIAL

 
  
ACTION / PROPOSAL #2
I have tried to spread the message from MassEquality that we need to mail written letters to our legislators asking to meet.  Unlike the editorial request, this is not something that I am able to track for progress, other than the one or two email that I have received from friends telling me that they have done so... So now, with your help, I propose that we STEP IT UP A NOTCH BY MAILING PHOTOS OF THOSE IN SUPPORT OF CIVIL MARRIAGE EQUALITY.  
  

OPERATION PHOTO-DROP! Submit your photos and messages to legislators ASAP
Friends, Spread the message to your family, friends and other contacts...  Submit your photo with a message to your legislators and Jerry will print oversized copies and deliver them  to the state house for you!  Since many of our senators and representatives are rejecting requests to meet; it is important that they see the faces of constituents who oppose the attempt to amend discrimination into our state constitution.   REMEMBER: In order to get your message directly to the correct contacts you will need to provide your name and address (phone number option)	Same-sex couples, heterosexual couples, single GLBTs, single straights, WE CAN ALL MAKE A MEMORABLE IMPACT.    Simple messages can be printed on the front.  Full letters can be printed on the back.   Send your Photo and message.  Jerry will print oversized copies and deliver to your legislators.
CLICK HERE to email Photos to Jerry Ringuette

Editorial Watch:

The table below will track all negative editorial letters in need of response.  We should try to gain 2 editorials in our favor for every 1 against. 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 Same-sex rights and bedtime rites Catholic dialogue State-Wide & Boston The Boston Herald: Send Editorial     South Shore MA The Patriot Ledger:  Send Editorial   Pro-gay marriage crowd shows its hypocrisy Another attack on the Catholic Church READER’S VIEW: Catholic Charities READER'S VIEW: Gay rights winning at expense of children’s rights   COMMENTARY: RELIGION: Children the losers   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

P-L-E-A-S-E! Sign up and participate!  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.