April 14th, Edition 

Hi folks,

Sorry for the late distribution; I was away in NYC over the weekend taking a rest from a couple of busy weeks (including a testimony at the State House hearing to help a legislative committee to determine either a favorable or unfavorable recommendation for the citizens petition.) 

Unfortunately, just before leaving for NYC I witnessed the first of 3 attacks on Reverend Sheldon Bennett and his Unitarian Church for their supportive stance on marriage equality.  I am PLEADING to everyone, who has not yet written editorials in the Patriot Ledger to PLEASE, send in letters of support for Reverend Bennett!   Please read these two published letters that need your response. To me, they just further show the need for our legislator's protection from such arrogant and ignorant attitudes towards others. 

(LETTER #1 from one reverend, condemning the positive role of another)  

(LETTER #2 from another out spoken religious supremist.) 

You should also know that the first letter above was a shortened version of a more extreme letter published as a front page article on the Quincy Sun; if you are a Quincy or Braintree resident, I highly recommend that you check out the article and mail them a response. These letters have been proven to sway public opinion and are watched closely by legislators. Its now time to step up and submit; as I stated before, I'll even help to ghost write upon request.

ENCOURAGING NEWS: Last Tuesday was our opportunity to testify at the State House, against the hurtful petitioned amendment to rescind marriage protections. THANK YOU to everyone who made it!!! I honestly believe that we won the debate, encouraging the legislative committee to report an unfavorable recommendation to the MA Senate and House of Representatives... I was one of the people mentioned in the Patriot Ledger coverage of the hearing that (in my opinion) swayed in our favor... HERE is a link to the story.

"Operation photo-drop" (see info below) continues, though I only have one more photo to mail this week.  If you haven't already sent, please consider sending your photos to me for print and delivery to our legislators.  I'm willing to cover all costs, I just need a photo to print and home address so I can identify the right legislators.  For every photo sent to specific legislators, I have also sent a copy to Senate President Travaglini as he still has time to open his heart and prevent the petition from coming to vote.

It is very disturbing that our local community is not fighting harder to defeat the hurtful petition effort. I am SO grateful to those who have taken even the most minimal tasks. It is the south-shore of MA that will be determining if the public should vote to take away marriage protections. May 10th is nearly here!

Your Friend, 

Jerry
 

NEW ACTION ITEM UPDATES:

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 Re: the bedroom, it's none of your concern Citizenship policies and same-sex partners   State-Wide & Boston The Boston Herald: Send Editorial     South Shore MA The Patriot Ledger:  Send Editorial   Quincy church banner an ‘in-your-face’ disgrace Church banner insulting Let the people vote on marriage amendment 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   Catholic hierarchy to blame in adoption issue Civil rights have grown since John Adams’ time (thanks ED!)   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.