June 3rd, Edition 

Friends,

This week will stray form the MA-focus due to the desperate attempt by President Bush and the Republican Party to use prejudice against gay and lesbian people to regain popularity.  President Bush has just officially endorsed a new FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT that would not only ban GLBT folks form marrying but nullify all marriages already in place!

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR US SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON DC ASKING THEM TO PROTECT US.  The president used the continued FALSE rhetoric about the negative impact that we have on children and society as a whole. 100% LIES, yet this is the P(p)resident of our country, who many trust as telling the truth. 

Take Action: A Step-by-Step Guide

Go to hrc.org/voteno to send a postcard.

Write a letter to the editor.

Set up an in-district lobby visit.

Talking to Others about the FMA

Discrimination has no place in the U.S. Constitution. The Federal Marriage Amendment would undermine the Constitution, which in more than 200 years has never once been amended to deny rights to a group of Americans.

Instead of addressing a health care crisis, the costly war in Iraq and soaring gas prices, President Bush and the leadership in Congress are putting politics ahead of real progress by debating this divisive amendment.

Many legal experts agree this amendment also would close the door on civil unions even though 60 percent of Americans support ensuring all families can protect each other in times of crisis.

Leading conservatives agree that this amendment goes against the values we stand for as a country, including former Senator and Rev. John Danforth, George Will, William Safire and Bob Barr.

The last thing the American people want is Congress reaching into a family's private life, just like Terri Schiavo.

BACK IN MA, we STILL HAVE TO keep trying to win legislative votes!..  We have been able to sway one or two more votes already, now we NEED everyone to take their efforts just one step further... 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 11 MORE VOTES to defeat the bigoted citizen's petition... 

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.  

WE ARE FACING A CRISIS OF COMPLACENCY (read more here) 
If you feel that perhaps you have not done enough to make a difference, you've now been given time to make even more impact. If you have friends that could support us, ask them to speak out for us in a written letter or phone call.  

"We're facing a complacency in the gay community and amongst our straight allies..." "They tend to think it's over, it's done, they're safe. They don't seem to recognize what a serious threat this new initiative is." Arline Isaacson,  Co-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus.

ACTION ITEMS!...  Its not too late!

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.  
  

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 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:  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   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!)   Brockton/Taunton Area  The Enterprise: Send Editorial       Plymouth Area Old Colonial Memorial: Send an Editorial       Attleboro Area The Sun Chronicle:  Send an Editorial    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        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