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July
16th, Edition
MINOR
WIN AT THE STATE HOUSE MEANS WE HAVE 4 MONTHS TO GET THE SUPPORT WE
NEED...
Disappointing
turnout of support for our side.
Hi
friends,
First,
Thanks to all the folks that were able to get time off to support
equality at the state house this week. I saw friends on this
list on both Tuesday and Wednesday working to support our
rights. MassEquality delivered STACKS of signed postcards to
our legislators just the day before the con-con. They handed 3
stacks to me to bring to my Representative that totaled more
signatures from his district than signed the hurtful petition!
I wish it were the same for all the legislators.
When
I met with my Representative, Bruce Ayers, he was extremely attentive
to what I had to say. Ed and I had actually received responses
from all our local legislators (Ayers, Tobin, and Morrissey), all
with signs of support, but none with any commitment (other than the
heroic Ron Mariano).
Outside
The State House
The scene at the State House was similar to previous years (both
sides arguing in the legislature, in the halls and outside along the
street. The difference this year was that our opposition was
the loudest... MassEquality was able to get a permit for the
State House side of the street for signs of support and we definitely
had more people early in the day. (see photo 1)
But,
as the day progressed, our supporters began to leave and our
opposition increased.  It
is AMAZING what national funding can influence in a local
fight. Our opposition had an endless supply of professionally
made signs, busloads of protesters (some rumored to be hired) and
SEVERAL airplane-towed messages denouncing same-sex marriage and the
SJC's ruling, and demands to "let the people vote."
They were chanting with drums, cymbals tambourines, and even blowing
a big, curvy animal horn. There
were some nasty signs "no special rights for sodomites",
"Adam & Steve = no people..." etc, people with
"let the people vote signs on their cars circling, and nuns in
full regalia on their knees in the street, holding rosary beads,
posing for the press. Because we were on the side of the street
where the Freedom Trail ran, we had to stay about 5 feet back from
the traffic so that foot traffic could pass. Unfortunately
that meant our opposition was legally allowed to taunt us and grab
quick photo/press opportunities as long as they kept moving.
Then
there was the rain... more like falling buckets of water.. at times
so severe that you could not see across the street.... This took its
toll on many of our supporters as our side of the street was
completely exposed and our opposition had the shelter of trees on
the Boston common. This seems to be what finally did our side
in (out on the street). When the rain subsided, it appeared
that our opposition out numbered us 2-1. Those dedicated
enough to stay, showed AMAZING spirit.
THE
OUTCOME....
As expected, our main detractors like Rep Travis and Parente, tried
to move the petition vote up along the agenda, with statements for
the press to use in their stories, but the con-con adjourned for the
summer without taking up the issue...
THIS DOES NOT MEAN WE WON - THEY WILL RECONVENE ON NOVEMBER 9th TO
VOTE ON OUR RIGHTS.
Our opposition seems to have successfully pressured the legislation
to avoid parliamentary tactics to defeat the petition.
THE GOOD NEWS is that we have time. Time to win the
votes of more legislators, and gain news support from the November
7th elections.
THE
NOT SO GOOD NEWS is that we need to fight for another 4 months;
fight even harder than we have up to now. Not only do we
need to step up our own efforts, we need to reach out to family,
friends and neighbors to help us as well, or we will lose.
WHAT
NEXT? Unfortunately there is no time to rest, we need to assess
who is on our side and THANK THEM... I heard from a representative
from Beverly MA who said our opposition is louder than we are on the
North Shore as well as on the South... that those defending us need
public displays of support. We also need to determine who has
not taken a stand and try to determine if they can be swayed.
We need to find out who will never vote in our favor and support
their political challengers. I will focus the next four months on
communicating updates on these and any other efforts in progress on
BOTH SIDES.
| TAKE
ACTION NOW!!!
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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.
CLICK
HERE FOR MORE ACTIONS RECOMMENDED BY MASSEQUALITY
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| 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
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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:
SJC treads carefully
(both
opinions)
Lessons to take from rulings on gay marriage
(both
opinions)
Nays, yeas over a gay-marriage vote
(both
opinions)
Considering the ex-gay movement
(both
opinions)
Clash over gay marriage
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:
SJC treads carefully
(both
opinions)
Some marriages she'd like to put to a vote
Lessons to take from rulings on gay marriage
(both
opinions)
GLOBE EDITORIAL: Vote the ban down
Nays, yeas over a gay-marriage vote
(both
opinions)
Considering the ex-gay movement
(both opinions)
Clash over gay marriage
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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NEW:
Gay-marriage ban restricts liberty
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South
Shore MA
The
Patriot Ledger:
Send
Editorial
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READERS’ OPINIONS: The right to vote and the right to marry
(1 for us 2 against)
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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READERS’ OPINIONS: The right to vote and the right to marry
(both
opinions)
Rights of minorities
(THANKS JOE!)
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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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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7/8/2006:
HERE WE GO - I HOPE YOU HAVE SCHEDULED TIME OFF FROM WORK TO JOIN ME AT THE STATE HOUSE, THIS COMING
WEDNESDAY!
6/30/2006:
Now is the time to schedule your July 17th
vacation day to support civil rights at the MA State House!.
6/24/2006:
Friends may have swayed another vote in our
favor.
6/17/2006:
Macy's CEO apologizes as an anti-gay radio
campaign is launched in MA.
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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