Friends, 

We are now only 8 votes away from defeating the petition initiative to take away our marriage protections here in MA.  The problem is that these are 8 stubborn votes that are hard to change and we are now down to our very last vote to defeat the petition.

The only way we can win now, is if those who have not spoken out do so, even if just once. That is why Ed and I have decided to host a MassEquality, House Party on April 28th at 7:00 PM (Click on the invitation to the right or HERE to view the e-Vite)  The goal is to set up a fun, comfortable environment where we can encourage our friends to take action.

If you are unable to attend our party (or have your own), you can still help!...  
We need a "chain mail" approach to success... That is, we need the contacts on this list to identify 3-5 (or more) friends, family or acquaintances who live in MA, to take action.  

Just tell 3-5 (or more) of your friends that we only need 8 more votes protect gay couples (and families) from the effort to completely strip away all (existing) legal protections that they have enjoyed for over 3 years.   

Then, forward this link: http://massequality.org/action/start.php , asking to take 30 seconds to complete and then forward on to 3-5 (or more) contacts... The message to politicians can be as simple as "Please vote NO to the marriage amendment."

If you have comments/feedback or info that I should include next week, please feel free to use the feedback link to the left. 
   

ON 5/11, WE COULD LOSE AN EXISTING VOTE FOR EQUALITY The 11th Norfolk District (Dedham, Westwood & Walpole) is holding a special election to fill vacancy of  Pro-Equality Rep Robert K. Coughlin. So Far I've learned that ALL democrats listed below support us (Thanks Joe for the info!): Primary Candidates:         D- Stephen Bilafer         D- Thomas Boncek          D- Joanne Flatley         D- Cheryl Schoenfeld         R- William McKinney          R- Doug Obey         I- Paul McMurtry         I- Margot Pyle

Mass. Sen. President Therese Murray making waves on Beacon Hill 
MARRIAGE EQUALITY LOBBYISTS SEE FIRST WEEK IN OFFICE AS SIGN OF THINGS TO COME -   In calling for repeal of the 1913 law, Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick enjoys support from newly elected Senate president Therese Murray (D-Plymouth), as well as House speaker Rep. Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-North End).

Arline Isaacson, co-chairwoman of the Caucus, or Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus, the leading gay rights lobbying organization, and Marc Solomon, campaign director of MassEquality, the organization and coalition of groups dedicated to protecting gay marriage in the commonwealth, separately said that they are "grateful" to have Murray in place. (Read More). 

Murray backs weddings for nonresidents
Supports repeal of limit on out-of-state couples 
The newly elected president of the state Senate said she favors repealing a law that prevents most same-sex couples from other states from getting married here, saying she did not share former governor Mitt Romney's fear that Massachusetts would become a gay marriage mecca.

Therese Murray, a Plymouth Democrat, also said she thought there was a good chance of passage for a bill before the Legislature that would strike a 1913 law barring the issuance of marriage licenses to out-of-state couples who would not be allowed to marry in their state of residence....  "It's an antiquated law," Murray said.

But a repeal, which is also supported by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi and Governor Deval Patrick, could provoke broader controversy when activists are trying to stop the Legislature from sending a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to the 2008 ballot. Proponents of gay marriage are not currently lobbying for repeal because they fear it could stir up antigay sentiment and hurt their chances of defeating the amendment. .  (Read More)
  

26 gay marriages set to be recorded. 
Patrick reverses Romney order
Governor Deval Patrick has ordered the state Department of Public Health to officially record the marriages of 26 out-of-state gay couples whose unions Governor Mitt Romney had blocked from being entered into the state's vital records.
 
Patrick's move emphasizes his administration's sharp differences with his predecessor on gay marriage. The issue is largely symbolic; neither Romney's refusal to record the marriages nor Patrick's reversal of that order affects the legal status of the marriages. But an aide said Patrick wanted to reverse an action taken by Romney that the new administration sees as discriminatory. (Read More)

  
Health care at risk for Mass. gay married couples
BEACON HILL CONFRONTS STATE AND FEDERAL HEALTH CARE DISCREPANCY FOR GAY COUPLES WITH LGBT AGING PROJECT, BOSTON PARTNERSHIP FOR OLDER ADULTS, MASS. HOME CARE AND GLAD BRINGING OUT CITIZENS TO TESTIFY
Currently, gay married couples in Massachusetts may not be eligible for the state's health benefits because federal funds are used.  That's why elderly and gay activist groups and high-profile legislators testified before the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on Wednesday afternoon, March 28, at the Massachusetts Statehouse. 

The hearing was on House bill No. 1155, "an act regarding equality in the MassHealth Program," which was submitted by Liz Malia (D- Jamaica Plain).  Mass. state Sen. Jarrett Barrios (D-Cambridge) said during the hearing that, "the bill is trying to resolve the conflict between state and federal law."  (Read More)