The fight is not over!... Many Reps and Senators that voted to protect civil rights are now under attack.  In last week's update, I published info on a Reception/Fundraiser for Diane Wilkerson.

This week, and perhaps for several weeks to come, I will swing my focus towards Senator Brian Joyce, who's job is now on the line.  Brian has 3 people poised to run against him with plenty of republican and roman catholic funding for the fight. Help defend our defender!

Perhaps it might be time for our SSCIVILRIGHTS group that formed in Quincy to start planning another trip to the Randolph Country Club to campaign for Senator Joyce and our other heroic legislators.

Notable items this week:

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDITORIALS 
Please send an editorial to you local papers every 35 days. Our opposition uses this area on a daily basis to create the illusion that they are the majority. We must do the same.  

The letters to the editor section of your local paper is an ideal forum for sharing your opinion and story with the local community. In addition, it is one of the first pages many elected officials turn to. Letters to the editor show that an issue is of concern to the community and are excellent tools for education.  

Helpful suggestions on writing & getting editorials published
 
 

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FIRST CHANCE TO USE THE EDITORIAL ADVICE ABOVE:
SENATOR BRIAN JOYCE IS BEING ATTACKED: FIGHT BACK!

Do you know anyone from Senator Joyce's District? 

Avon, Braintree, Canton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Milton, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton and West Bridgewater.

Here is the article to rebut: Joyce votes his opinions, not his constituents'

Please write your own rebuttal to this article to show support for Senator Joyce.  If you know Someone from his district, ask that constituent to submit your editorial, it will have more impact.
 

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LETTER FROM HEROIC SENATOR BRIAN JOYCE 
Sent in response to my recent email, thanking him (again) for his votes and to ask if he has any planned fundraisers that I can attend/promote. 

Dear Jerry,

Thank you very much for all your kind emails and offer of support. Considering the thousands of emails, phone calls and letters I have received from people who do not agree with our views on equality and discrimination, I appreciate your words of encouragement more than you realize. In addition, many of these people have indicated a concerted effort to defeat me in the upcoming election. In fact, it now appears as though I will have three opponents in this election (one of which is a BILLIONAIRE), and all three of them have indicated they are opposed to gay marriage. As a result, I will need to raise significant funds and build a strong organization early in this election.

As for upcoming fundraising events, we are in the process of planning a fundraiser hosted by many prominent people in the gay community on Sunday, May 23rd. I do not have all the details as of now, but will certainly keep you informed. If you or someone you know is able to contribute to my re-election, I would very much appreciate your support. State law permits donations by personal checks in any amount up to $500 per person and require your home address, as well as your occupation and employer for donations over $200. Check may be made payable to the Brian A. Joyce Committee, and sent to 12 Forge Pond, Canton, MA 02021.

Thanks again for your kindness and support.


Brian A. Joyce
 

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LETTER FROM QUINCY'S HERO: REP RONALD MARIANO 
 
Dear Mr. Calabro,

As your State representative I want to thank you for your input and participation during the recently concluded debate on House 3190, A Proposal for a Legislative Amendment to the Affirmation of Marriage. 

Throughout this debate I have been struck by the passion shown by all the people involved. During my years of service as a State Representative no other issue has garnered such impassioned and contrasting input from my constituents. After listening to all of the issues presented, one in particular had special meaning to me. 

I did not want to take any vote creating a second-class group of people. I strongly believe that amending the Constitution should be about protecting individuals’ rights, not restricting them. At the end of the debate I believed the decision of the court should stand and we should all work to make sure every citizen in this Nation is free to experience all the rights and benefits of civil marriage. I will continue to work towards this end and hopefully the intense controversy surrounding this issue will fade away when people see that gay and lesbian weddings will not bring down western civilization.

Thank you again for sharing your views with me on this issue. If there is any way I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other matter, or if you would like to discuss this issue at greater length please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely, 

Ronald Mariano.
 

TAKE ACTION HERE

Please sign my HRC Federal petition and forward to friends, if you haven't already.
I only have 36 out 100 so far.

  
Please send an email to thank the heroic legislators in MA!    Email list provided