April 22nd, Edition 

Hi folks,

Back on schedule with this week's update. I don't know about anyone else but the closer we get to May 10th the more anxious I find myself becoming...  

I've now sent all the photos of friends that I have to our officials at the Sate House for "Operations Photo Drop."  If you haven't already sent yours, or if you know friends who might consider sending theirs, 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.

Next week ought to be interesting.  I have a meeting set up with Senator Morrissey, who is still on the fence on how he will vote on the marriage amendment, I'm also still trying to get with Representative Ayers. If you haven't already mailed a hand-written letter to your officials, reminding them of your stance, please try to get them in next week.  As you will read in the In News Weekly and Patriot Ledger articles below, our opposition is has picked up the pace and is shouting just as loud as we are... 

I have also learned that there may be a second try at a marriage forum to be held in Quincy, to try to make up for the last one that became nothing other than an attack on homosexuality in general.... I'll send out a second email next week when I learn more. (I'm still trying to recover from the last one)

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO WROTE IN TO THE PATRIOT LEDGER THIS WEEK! We have 3 letters in our favor, opposing the horrible letter sent in from Reverend Jack Swanson. PLEASE KEEP THE LETTERS COMING!   If it has been 30 days since your last letter, please send in another... gee I need to count the days since MY last editorial.

Thank you again for all the efforts that many of you have recently made... This is very tiring but we NEED to keep trying. May 10th is nearly here!

Your Friend, 

Jerry
 

NEW ACTION ITEM UPDATES:

LAST AND FINAL CHANCE ON THIS ONE!
Submit your story to the People of Faith Testimony Book.
Please go to www.rcfm.org and share your story today. Your story
will have a strong impact when we include it in our People of Faith
Testimony Book and deliver your stories to legislators. 

Their goal is to collect 150 testimonies from laity and 100 from clergy to print into an historic People of Faith Testimony Book that we will deliver to every legislator before the next constitutional convention in May. 

They are asking you to submit a one page personal story that illustrates why you believe in the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. Include a picture of you and your family and make your story even more powerful.

JERRY'S 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

 
  
JERRY'S 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   Church banner Anti-gay forces trying to desecrate our Constitution Religion in America 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.