Jerry's email update on the fight for Equal Rights (July 15, 2004)
  
 
WOO HOO! The US SENATE SHOOTS DOWN THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT!    But,..

Hi Friends,

Well, we won the debate in the Senate by 12 votes.  I had a chance to listen to some of the debate. 

I witnessed very little argument on our behalf.   More (perhaps appropriately) focus was made on protecting our Constitution.  Anyone who is actually trying to learn about the issues around marriage itself heard a greater argument against our civil rights.  GOP members presented chart after chart of construed statistics from right-wing and Christian-coalition sources.

This debate is not over yet. Our opponents are now promoting the debate in the House of Representatives. You can still help to make a difference on the issue by re-visiting my HRC page and getting the message out to your State Representatives.  

THANK YOU James and Steven for helping me to get 10 more action items taken against the FMA on my HRC page!  Please thank all your friends for me!

Notable items this week:

Message From Cheryl A. Jacques
Human Rights Campaign President

We did it! Just moments ago, the Federal Marriage Amendment lost in the Senate by a stunning, bipartisan vote of 50-48. We won this historic victory for two reasons: First, because the politics of division don't work, and second: the votes were on our side.

But the real reason we won is this: You. You and every fair-minded American, gay or straight, who called, e-mailed, faxed, visited, tracked down, and otherwise urged your Senators not to write discrimination into the Constitution. Thank you. This amazing moment belongs to all of us. Please, share this victory with all the friends and family you talked into fighting with us. We join in celebration with each of you. The campaign to defeat this amendment has been a top priority for HRC and with your amazing efforts over the course of many months, today we won this round of the fight.  Thank you - again.

What's next: I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't remind you that it's not over. Our ultra-conservative opponents are determined to spread their discriminatory agenda across the country. Fasten your seatbelts, my friends, because the months ahead are going to be challenging indeed:
  • Next week, the House will take up the issue of marriage equality as well. Expect a fight. Expect vicious words and fierce debate. And expect to speak up, loud and clear, once more.
  • During the next three months, no fewer than 11 states - and possibly 13 - are facing ballot initiatives to write discrimination into their state constitutions. HRC will fight these initiatives shoulder to shoulder with state and local GLBT leaders. We'll let you know how you can help.
  • And of course - like you, we will be actively working to stop discrimination at the source by electing equality-minded legislators around the country. We're glad to know you will be with us in that battle, too.

All of this work starts tomorrow. For today, I will take a moment to appreciate this hard-won victory. I hope you'll join me.

Many, many thanks for all you have done.

Cheryl A. Jacques
Human Rights Campaign President

Judge to decide if law discriminates against same-sex couples

BOSTON -- A Superior Court judge will decide whether a 1913 state law being used to prevent out-of-state gays from getting married in Massachusetts is discriminatory and should be struck down.

An attorney for eight same-sex couples from out of state asked Superior Court Judge Carol Ball Tuesday for an injunction blocking the state from enforcing the law, which prohibits marriages in Massachusetts that would be illegal in a couple's home state.

Read the FULL STORY

TAKE ACTION HERE

 
Please sign my HRC Federal  friends, if you haven't already.
There are new actions you can take to help me make my goal.
I only have 45 out 100 so far.
   
Contribute to the campaign of Paul Meoni   
He is challenging the My local representative who has consistently voted against my civil rights.

Submit an editorial to your local paper every 35 days.  It is important to publicly show support for gay marriage! 
Helpful suggestions


Previous updates:

7/08/2004

6/30/2004

6/24/2004

6/17/2004

6/9/2004

5/27/2004

5/20/2004

5/13/2004

5/7/2004

4/30/2004

4/22/2004

4/13/2004

4/8/2004

4/1/2004

 

News Articles of Interest

Upcoming Events 

 
New England senators form coalition on gay marriage
WASHINGTON -- New England's 12 senators span the political spectrum, from Massachusetts' liberal lion to the more conservative thinkers in New Hampshire, but they are finding some common ground on one of the political season's most contentious issues: gay marriage.
Full Story 
  
  

Federal Ban on Gay Marriage Fails
Senate Vote on Amendment Is a Defeat for Bush

The Republican-controlled Senate yesterday blocked a proposed constitutional amendment to bar same-sex marriage, effectively killing the White House-backed measure for the rest of this year and handing President Bush a big election-year defeat.

The vote was 48 to 50 against bringing the initiative to a vote, 12 short of the 60 needed to limit debate and move toward final action on the amendment. It would have taken a two-thirds majority -- 19 votes more than the GOP had yesterday -- to pass the amendment itself.

Read the FULL STORY by Helen Dewar, The Washington Post, July 15, 2004

 
Gay marriage opponents pin hopes on House

WASHINGTON -- Unable to ban gay marriage, congressional Republicans are working to contain it, advancing legislation in the House to make sure federal courts don't order states to recognize same-sex unions sanctioned outside their borders.

"When federal judges step out of line, Congress has the responsibility to drop the red flag," Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said Wednesday as the court-stripping measure cleared the House Judiciary Committee on a near party-line vote of 21-13.

Read the FULL STORY
   
    

Gay couples argue that 1913 law is discriminatory
BOSTON -- A 1913 Massachusetts law being used to prevent out-of-state gays from getting married here is discriminatory and should be struck down, a lawyer for eight same-sex couples told a judge.

Michele Granda asked Superior Court Judge Carol Ball to block the state from enforcing the 91-year-old law, which prohibits marriages that would be illegal in a couple's home state. She said the statute violates the U.S. Constitution and Massachusetts law.
Full Story

 

Reilly says curb on gay marriage blunts backlash 
The state's lawyers will argue today that the 1913 law Governor Mitt Romney is using to block out-of-state gay couples from marrying in Massachusetts ''is an important tool in avoiding a national backlash" against gay marriage, because it will allow states to consider the contentious issue ''in their own due course."
Full Story 
  

Bush's Anti-Gay Move Provokes Backlash
Stay-at-home mom Laurie Copeland is a lifelong “pro-gun, less government” Republican who voted for George W. Bush in 2000.

This year, though, she will be voting for someone else, her lesbian sister.

Copeland, who lives in Missouri – one of the battlegrounds expected to determine the next president – says Bush lost her vote when he joined the push to amend the U.S. Constitution so her sister, Jane, and her partner, Chris, could never legally marry in this country.
Full Story 


(Not about the marriage issue- I just found this story funny)
In the Ballroom, a Redefinition of 'Couple'
As the ballroom dancers glided in unison, mirroring each other's pulsating movements to a midtempo Latin beat, a couple in black body-hugging costumes caught the audience's attention..
Full Story 


Please Join us July 21, 2004
6:00PM -9:00 PM

Cocktail Reception for Democratic Candidate, Paul Meoni 

at the home of Paul Melanson & Paul Twitchell

150 Brook Road, Milton MA 02186

Dear friends,
 
My name is Paul Meoni; I am running as a Democratic candidate for State Representative of the 1st Norfolk District (Randolph/Quincy) and will be counting on your support to defeat incumbent Bruce Ayers this fall.
 
Bruce Ayers consistently voted in favor of the amendment to ban same sex marriage, affirming that he does not support equal rights for all. Ayers even opposed the compromise bills that offered Civil Unions for same sex couples. The people of the 1st Norfolk district and indeed the commonwealth of Massachusetts deserve better representation. Once elected, I promise to fight any amendment that would write discrimination into our constitution.
 
I also promise to defend a women's right to choose, fight for new jobs and support our schools
 
Please join me on Wed. July 21, 2004 as I kickoff my fundraising efforts with a cocktail reception at 150 Brook Road in Milton

I ask for a personal contribution of $50 to $500.00 ($500.00 maximum per individual) payable to the Paul J. Meoni committee. If this amount exceeds your budget, you may contribute in any amount. Please send RSVPs/contributions by July 14th.

Thank you for your support and I hope to see you on the 21st.
 
Sincerely,
Paul J. Meoni
 
For more information on Paul Meoni (the candidate running against my bigoted representative) please visit http://www.electmeoni.com