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June
17th, Edition
Friends,
Last week
I veered off topic a bit, upset that that the Article 8,
anti-gay hate group was able to celebrate their Macy's
public-relations success by stealing attention from gay-pride
and the positive impact that it could have had on our fight for
marriage here in MA. The good news is that our
letters and calls to Macy's has resulted in an apology from Macy's
CEO.
Now
we need to get back on track as the reality of a losing our right to
marry approaches. We still do not have the votes we need, but
some legislators might (secretly) be swaying our way. One of them,
being my senator, Michael Morrissey. He says he understands
our concerns but refuses to publicly state a position. There
are are many other legislators out there like him that we may be
able to sway with just a little open discussion. If we can
learn the rationale behind why they are leaning towards approving
the amendment, we can work to correct any misinformation and
educate them on why we should not be the first state to ever take
away existing rights of a minority through a constitutional
amendment.
MARRIAGE
FOES ARE HITTING THE AIRWAVES! They are well aware of the
procedural maneuvers that can be taken to defeat their petition and
are going to the airwaves to spread the word to pressure the
legislation to vote and approve their formalized
discrimination. Ironically enough, they are taking the
approach of calling all our efforts "dirty tricks";
something that I find to be very ironic, coming from a group that
has used lies, false statistics, religious bias and FAKE signatures
to promote their proposed amendment.
Radio campaign launched against gay marriage
BOSTON (William Henderson) - VoteOnMarriage.org, the grassroots campaign that wants Massachusetts residents vote to decide how to define marriage, launched a radio campaign this week calling for "no more dirty tricks" on Beacon Hill by gay rights activists.
The message in each of the three radio spots released this week is simple - some Beacon Hill lawmakers want to kill the Protection of Marriage Amendment and therefore the people's right to vote on how to define marriage.
"We know that 75 percent of Massachusetts voters believe they, not the courts, should decide on marriage," said Kris Mineau, president of Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org. "But some lawmakers think they know better than the vast majority of the voters they represent, and are threatening to block a vote using parliamentary procedures which amount to nothing more than dirty politics."
VoteOnMarriage.org has already collected more than 170,000 signatures, nearly three times the required signatures needed for certification by the Secretary of State. The Protection of Marriage Amendment now awaits a vote by the Massachusetts legislature during the state Constitution Convention scheduled for July 12, 2006.
For the amendment to appear on the November 2008 ballot and thus put up for a statewide vote, 50 legislators this year and next year would need to approve it, but VoteOnMarriage.org believes this is an uphill battle.
Calling House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and Senate President Robert Travaglini "beholden to the powerful gay lobby," Dr. Roberto Miranda, VoteOnMarriage.org chairman, thinks a State House News Service article, in which DiMasi urged lawmakers to make sure gay marriage "never, ever appears as a question on the ballot," reason enough to start asking residents to start making phone calls, and is using the radio, along with a newspaper campaign expected to launch later this month, to do so.
"The citizens of Massachusetts deserve the same right that citizens in 19 other states have already secured - the right to vote on the definition of marriage," said Miranda. "The fundamental question is who should decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - the courts or the people? VoteOnMarriage.org believes, we the people should decide."
To hear the radio spots, connect to www.voteonmarriage.org.
If
you have recently emailed your representative and senator, then send
them a written letter, or greeting card, or photo (something that
will get their attention). If you've already written, then
call their office, you will most likely not be able to talk to them
directly but they WILL get a message that you took the time to call
them. If you have a representative or senator that could be swayed,
then PLEASE try to set up a 10 minute meeting with them; SEEING the
faces of their constituents, makes a big difference. Even if they
don't have time, the fact that you tried to meet sends a strong
message.
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WE
STILL NEED MORE VOTES...
If your legislators are already on our side then contact others
who are "on the fence" I am trying to get a list of
those who might be swayed, from our contacts at MassEquality. Until
then, PLEASE
CONTACT Senate
President Travaglini, and House
Speaker DiMasi.
These two have legislative influence in the House and Senate and
can make a big difference.
Three
other legislators of focus are right here in my town of
Quincy. In
order of importance: Senator
Michael Morrissey, Representative
Bruce Ayers, and Representative
Stephen Tobin.
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| Its not too
late to TAKE ACTION!
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NEWSPAPER
"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR"
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.
MAIL
PHOTOS OF REAL PEOPLE
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. |
| 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. |
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Local
Media
Write
to the media
closest to you
|
Recent
Opposition
in
need of your Response
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Recent
Support
of
Equality
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State-Wide
& Boston
Boston
Globe:
Send
Editorial
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NEW:
Clash over gay marriage
NEW:
He won't be intimidated by website
A
civil debate on gay marriage - The
Boston Globe
Make room for 'bias' in adoption
Same-sex rights and bedtime rites
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NEW:
Clash over gay marriage
NEW:
Gay-marriage foe goes public
Gay marriage, so what?
Lexington and discord
Re: the bedroom, it's none of your concern
Citizenship policies and same-sex partners
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State-Wide
& Boston
The
Boston Herald:
Send
Editorial
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South
Shore MA
The
Patriot Ledger:
Send
Editorial
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NEW:
Allow
citizens to vote on marriage amendment
Let
the people vote on gay marriage
Rev. Swanson’s courage
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
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NEW:
Rights of minorities
(THANKS JOE!)
NEW:
Same-sex marriage a civil, not religious, issue
What
it means to be married, a mom and gay
We
needs to defend, not amend the
constitution
Civil
marriage is a legal matter, not a
sacred one
Preserve
same-sex marriage in state (Thanks
Jim! )
(I got a word in too!)
Gauging the ability of parents, gay or otherwise
(Thanks Laurie!)
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!)
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Brockton/Taunton
Area
The
Enterprise:
Send
Editorial
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Plymouth
Area
Old
Colonial Memorial:
Send
an Editorial
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|
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Attleboro
Area
The
Sun Chronicle:
Send
an Editorial
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THIS
NEEDS A RESPONSE!:
NEW:
LETTER: Please enlighten me on why gay marriage is legal |
LETTER: Stand up to opponents of gay marriage rights (Thanks
JOE!) |
Fall
River Area
The
Herald News:
Send
an Editorial
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Taunton
Area
Taunton
Gazette:
Send
an Editorial
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Carver
Area MA
Carver
Reporter
Marion,
Mattapoisett, Rochester, Areas
The
Sentinel
Wareham
Area
Wareham
Courier
Send
Editorials for above media to Editor:
Tamson Burgess
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Duxbury
Reporter, Halifax
Reporter, Marshfield
Reporter, Pembroke
Reporter
Send
to Editor Scott Smith
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Kingston
Reporter
Send
to Editor: Charles Mathewson
Kingston Area MA |
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6/12/2006:
Anti-gay group wins PR success by stealing
positive attention away from Gay-Pride. - AND US Senate strikes down FEDERAL
marriage amendment.
6/3/2006:
Senate to vote on Federal "Marriage
Protection" amendment, promoted by Bush!.
5/27/2006:
Pro-Rights Complacency remains a serious
problem in MA.
5/21/2006:
Procedural options in our favor publicized.
5/13/2006:
2006 Con-con delayed to July 12.
5/6/2006:
SJC hears amendment case.
4/29/2006:
ANOTHER marriage ambush in Quincy.
4/22/2006:
May 10th nearly here, another forum scheduled
in Quincy.
4/14/2006:
Testimonies Heard at Legislative hearing.
4/7/2006:
Legislative hearing to address the petitioned marriage amendment has just been announced!.
3/30/2006:
STEP UP AND TAKE ACTION-TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO
DEFEAT THE MA MARRIAGE AMENDMENT.
3/26/2006:
Quincy, HRC Marriage Forum FIASCO.
3/18/2006:
Please take action at this critical time. 3
easy steps to make a BIG difference.
3/9/2006:
NEW FORMAT TO JERRY's NEWSLETTER - FOCUS ON MA ATTACKS.
3/2/2006:
Criminal Probe Into Alleged Anti-Gay MA Amendment Forgeries
2/23/2006:
"Church of the Presidents"
wants to unfurl huge pro-gay marriage banner
2/16/2006:
New nationwide amendment to US
Constitution introduced
2/9/2006:
President Bush Grants Millions Of US
Tax Dollars To Anti-Gay, Religious Initiatives
2/2/2006:
Heroic, Coretta Scott King dies
1/27/2006:
MassEquality uncovers over 2000 cases
of petition fraud
(including the names a a prominent civil rights lawyer and local NBC
Sportscaster)
1/20/2006:
2006 Election Preview: New England focuses on gay marriage.
1/12/2006:
MA Marriage Opponents Propose
Limited Partner Benefits In Order To Strengthen Marriage Ban.
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1/5/2006:
GLAD Files Suit Asserting MA Anti-Marriage Ballot Question Is Unconstitutional.
12/29/2005:
Bitter Battle Predicted Overt Mass. Anti-Gay Amendment.
12/22/2005:
HELP IDENTIFY
FRAUDULENT
SIGNATURES.
12/15/2005:
ROLLBACK OF MARRIAGE RIGHTS
IS NOW POSSIBLE IN MA.
12/1/2005:
South Africa Legalizes Gay Marriage & Canada's Government Toppled.
11/17/2005:
As Our biggest MA Democrat
Opponent Steps Down, The Republican Party Steps Up Attack..
11/10/2005:
Mixed Elections Results are
encouraging
11/3/2005:
Mass. Moves To Halt Fraud In
Anti-Gay Measure!
10/19/2005:
Supporters, foes of gay
marriage in MA trade dirty tricks charges!
10/14/2005:
Petition gatherers &
clergy gather 25,000 signatures in just one weekend!!
10/7/2005:
Petition gatherers &
clergy gather 25,000 signatures in just one weekend!!
9/29/2005:
Bishops of MA push their
congregations to sign the Citizen's Petition to roll-back
civil rights!
9/23/2005:
MA
BIGOTED PETITION BEGINS!
9/15/2005:
WE WON! MA Marriage Amendment
DEFEATED!
9/8/2005:
A Week of hope then DEVASTATION
9/1/2005:
Mass GOP Gov. Romney Pressures Dem. AG
To Certify Anti-Gay Petition Driven
8/25/2005:
JERRY'S 1st
YEAR ANNIVERSARY & MA plans second vote on marriage ban
8/19/2005:
MA State Rep
Changes vote on Marriage Amendment to "NO"
8/11/2005:
U.S. poll:
Support grows for gay marriage
8/4/2005:
HELP! Equality
Is Under Major Attack!
7/28/2005:
TIME TO START
GETTING ACTIVE AGAIN!
7/21/2005:
CANADA MAKES IT
OFFICIAL!
7/14/2005:
CA STATE SENATE REVIVES MARRIAGE BILL!
7/7/2005:
Oregon Senate Passes Civil Union Bill!
6/30/2005:
Spain and Canada both Legalize same-sex
marriage!
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6/23/2005:
California gay marriage bill may return
soon
6/16/2005:
Romney to Back a New More Extreme Plan
to Ban Gay Marriage
6/9/2005:
Civil Unions Bill Heads to Senate
6/2/2005:
California Bill to Legalize Gay
Marriage Dies
5/26/2005:
SJC Justice Marshal defends courts
5/19/2005:
1 FULL YEAR OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
& NO APOCALYPSE!
5/12/2005:
John Kerry speaks out against equality!
5/5/2005:
ANOTHER COURT CHALLENGE AGAINST MA
MARRIAGE.
4/28/2005:
CA Gay Marriage Bill Clears One Hurdle.
4/21/2005:
CT Signs Civil Unions into Law.
4/14/2005:
3,000 MARRIAGES TAKEN AWAY.
4/7/2005:
KS state votes for total
discrimination.
3/31/2005:
Maine House passes gay rights bill.
3/24/2005:
New
national Marriage amendment returns to U.S. House.
3/17/2005:
California judge rejects same-sex
marriage law.
3/10/2005:
Joe Solmonese Named Human Rights
Campaign President.
3/3/2005:
MA Gov. Romney Attacks Gay Families,
Angers Parents.
2/24/2005:
The Pope calls gay marriage 'evil'.
2/17/2005:
MA
to delay 2005 gay marriage vote.
2/10/2005:
Three
more states finalize amendments
2/3/2005:
"I
support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of
marriage."- George W Bush
1/27/2005:
FEDERAL
MARRIAGE AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS BACK
1/20/2005:
White
House Again Backs Amendment on Marriage
1/13/2005:
Gay
Marriage Tops Vatican’s 2005 Agenda
1/6/2005:
2005
kicks off civil rights granted & refused
12/23/2004:
"equal"
rights in CA begins January 1st
12/16/2004: Marriage
reversal case begins in OR
12/9/2004:
Canada & New
Zealand grant marriage & union rights
12/2/2004: Supreme
Court Declines Ma Gay Marriage Case
11/26/2004: ACLU
Drops Marriage Case
11/18/2004: SS
Marriage Ruling 1yr Later
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11/11/2004:
No
marriage Backlash in Ma
11/4/2004: Dealing
with the bad news!
10/28/2004:
Last
chance to spread the word...VOTE!
10/21/2004: Ohio's
anti-gay "Issue 1" campaign gets ugly.
10//142004: La.
marriage ban goes to state high court.
10//72004: LA
Amendment is THROWN OUT.
9/30/2004: BUB-BYE
Bigoted MA House Speaker.
9/23/2004: L.A.
VOTES TOTAL DISCRIMINATION
9/16/2004: Primary
elections victories for pro- equality candidates, but not for Jerry's.
9/9/2004: House
is back in session, to debate marriage again!
9/2/2004: Tell
Bush "YOU'RE FIRED"
8/26/2004: JERRY
IS MARRIED!!!
8/19/2004:
MA Supreme Court Judge rules in favor
of discriminatory law!
8/12/2004: California High Court
Voids Same-Sex Marriages!
8/05/2004: ANOTHER MAJOR SETBACK
& ANOTHER SMALL WIN.
7/29/2004: MAJOR SETBACK!
Discriminatory Marriage Protection Act Passed by a Vote of 233 to 194
7/21/2004: GOP HAS MOVED THE
MARRIAGE DEBATE TO THE HOUSE AND EXPECTS TO WIN
7/15/2004: The US SENATE SHOOTS
DOWN THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT! But,..
7/08/2004: Court Date Set In Mass.
Out-Of-State Weddings Case
6/30/2004: Federal appeals court
denies attempt to block same-sex weddings
6/24/2004: Romney urges federal ban
on gay-marriage 'experiment'
6/17/2004: Gay marriage opponents
gear up for fall.
6/9/2004: Tell Mitt Romney To Stop
His Anti-Gay Crusade.
5/27/2004: Governor Romney is BOOed
at Suffolk Commencement Ceremony!
5/20/2004: WE
CAN MARRY!!!
5/13/2004: Judge
refuses to stop gay marriages!!!
5/7/2004: Boston
may ignore governor's directive on gay marriage
4/30/2004: Governor
Aims to Limit Marriage to Mass. Residents, GLAD Offers Perspective
4/22/2004: I'm
featured in today's paper :-) HORRIBLE PICTURE!
4/13/2004: LETTER
FROM QUINCY'S HERO: REP RONALD MARIANO
4/8/2004: Quincy's
Rep Mariano Changes Vote to Support Civil Rights!
4/1/2004: CIVIL
RIGHTS SETBACK IN MA
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