April 29nd, Edition 

Hi folks,

It is only 12 days until the 2006 Constitutional Convention begins and the groups pushing the petitioned amendment are BLASTING their message to our politicians...  Did you know that the petition sponsors had a State House lobbying day this past Tuesday?  ...They hit every single MA legislator's office demanding that they be allowed to "vote on marriage."

I had the opportunity to meet with my senator, Michael Morrissey on Wednesday and I LEFT HIS OFFICE ENCOURAGED.  He is struggling with the fact that due process was followed to put the petition on the ballot. That being said, he IS in support of equality (even to go as far as to say "don't give up on me").  

The points that I think he and many other legislators are missing are that the petition process is intended to get a proposal in front of the legislature for consideration, but it is up to the legislature to review what is being requested and determine if it is for the good of the people. That this petition was nationally funded and marketed through deception and pressure from religious institutions. 

I need my friends to contact Senator Morrissey's office and tell him of the lies that are being spread in order to move this petition forward.  That the lies and dehumanizing rhetoric are hurting real people, that these organized attacks are emotionally scarring.  We need our legislature to protect the people and end this pain NOW, there is just not telling how destructive this could get if allowed to continue for another 2 years. (now that I think of it, we need one more last blast to ALL our politicians stressing that point)

On Thursday, against my better judgment, I invited friends to another ambush marketed as a marriage forum.  Yet again we filed into a stuffy room expecting the opportunity to educate our neighbors, only to be forced into a position where we were forced into listening to lies and degrading character assassinations that were in no exaggeration, abusive.  This time, following the lead of our friend Cathryn, we walked out, all while being taunted and yelled at as we departed.

PLEASE KEEP THE LETTERS COMING!   If it has been 30 days since your last letter, please send in another... Letters form our opposition keep getting the spotlight.

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 only 12 days away!   SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FRIEND MAUREEN IN HULL FOR KEEPING ON HER LEGISLATORS!!!!

Your Friend, 

Jerry
 

NEW ACTION ITEM UPDATES:

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 NEW: Lexington and discord 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   NEW: Contact lawmakers on marriage proposal 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 WEEKS 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.