Jerry's email update on the fight for Equal Rights (July 21, 2004)
  
 
GOP HAS MOVED THE MARRIAGE DEBATE TO THE HOUSE AND EXPECTS TO WIN.

Hi Friends,

Well, we won the debate in the Senate by 12 votes.  We may not be so lucky in the House of Representatives.   

Now that we have won the debate over the ban of same-gender marriages, we need to fight to actually be recognized.  It doesn't do much good to be married if other states and the federal government don't acknowledge it.

House Republicans have said that they currently have the votes that would enable states to ignore same gender marriages.  This would mean the moment married couples left state boundaries, their marriage and the rights that go along with it are no longer valid.

THERE IS ONLY ONE DAY LEFT to take action on this matter on my HRC page! 

Notable items this week:

House takes up gay marriage issue again

WASHINGTON -- No federal court has ruled on state bans on gay marriage, and House Republicans want to make sure none does.

The House was considering legislation Thursday to keep the Supreme Court and other federal courts from ordering states to recognize same-sex unions sanctioned elsewhere.
FULL STORY

Message From

Our campaign to preserve equal marriage rights in Massachusetts is in full swing.

Governor Romney, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and Christian conservatives around the country have been mobilizing to turn back the clock on equality for same-sex couples.  The challenges we face are significant, and victory is not guaranteed.  That's why we've been working with our coalition partners to build the capacity to ensure our victory in the legislature next year, or if necessary at the ballot in 2006 or 2008.

With your help, we have built an incredible movement for fairness and equality in Massachusetts.  With your continued support, we believe we can win in the legislature next year.  We're not taking anything for granted, though.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will:

  • Move into a larger office at 11 Beacon Street, right next to the State House;
  • Hire additional staff; 
  • Launch MassEquality PAC to support pro-equality candidates in this fall's elections;
  • Launch the MassEquality Education Fund to identify Massachusetts residents who are undecided about same-sex marriage and to conduct education campaigns targeted to these residents and to members of other communities we have historically failed to reach; and
  • Improve our technology infrastructure to provide you with more choices about the types and frequency of information you receive from us.

We are very excited about these developments and proud of our accomplishments since May 17th, the date Massachusetts became the first state in the Union to end discrimination against same-sex couples in marriage licensing.  Provided below are details on a few things we've been doing and ways you can get involved.

I hope to see you at an upcoming event.  In the meantime, please know that  your support has brought us this far.  Your continued support will carry us forward and help ensure that equal marriage rights are here to stay.  Please consider making a contribution to help fund our efforts today.  You can contribute securely online by visiting https://host28.websitesource.com/MassEquality/don.php .

Thank you,

Marty Rouse
Campaign Coordinator

Non-Marriage related fun...

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 62 out of 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:

7/15/2004

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 

 
Democrats seen more open to gay marriage
WASHINGTON -- Democratic convention delegates generally are more open to the prospect of gay marriage than are John Kerry and John Edwards, their presumed nominees for the presidential ticket.

An Associated Press survey of Democratic National Convention delegates found that roughly 41 percent said they favored marriage for same-sex couples, while about 21 percent opposed it. Most of the remaining delegates said their position didn't fit into a "favor" or "oppose" response, or refused to answer the question.
Full Story 
  
  

ATTEMPT TO PUT DISCRIMINATION IN NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION FAILS

WASHINGTON — An attempt to amend the North Carolina Constitution to prohibit marriage between same-sex couples — as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships — failed when the Legislature adjourned July 18.

“No constitution should be used to discriminate,” said Human Rights Campaign President Cheryl Jacques. “Every North Carolinian deserves to have the same rights and freedoms under their constitution.”
FULL STORY

 
Florida Lesbians Sue To Have All States Recognize Mass. Marriage

TAMPA, Fla. -- A lesbian couple from Bradenton who were married in Massachusetts sued the federal government Tuesday to have their union legally recognized in the rest of the country.

The suit was filed against U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in federal court in Tampa..

Read the FULL STORY
   
    

House Takes Up Gay Marriage Issue Again
The House was considering legislation Thursday to keep the Supreme Court and other federal courts from ordering states to recognize same-sex unions sanctioned elsewhere.
Full Story

 

Battle Brews on Gay Unions 
Elouise Vandall has joined hundreds, maybe thousands, of Ohioans with pen in hand, petition outstretched. 

For her it is a Christian duty -- to get a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to limit marriage to one man and one woman. 

``We have to protect marriage and the family,'' said the Akron resident."
Full Story 


Democratic National Convention
Next week, Boston will be the center of political attention for the entire nation.  There are a number of events geared to members of the GLBT community, including one co-sponsored by MassEquality.

Monday, July 26  ::  9:00 PM  ::  Unity '04, a celebration of GLBT strength and unity  :: featuring Margaret Cho  ::  co-sponsored by MassEquality  ::  Avalon, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston  ::  $35 tickets at www.boxofficetickets.com or (800) 494-TIXS

For a full list of GLBT-themed events during the Democratic National Convention, please check the calendar published by Bay State Stonewall Democrats at www.BayStateStonewallDems.org .  Also, check out the Stonewall Democrats national convention this weekend in Providence.  Full details are available at www.StonewallDemocrats.org .

 

Summer of Equality
Last month, we launched the Summer of Equality.  We are working with the Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts to provide you and thousands of other MassEquality members with  meaningful opportunities to make a difference in our campaign.  We have volunteer opportunities around the state -- opportunities to identify supporters of same-sex marriage at public events or by going door-to-door.  In addition, we are working to connect our members with electoral campaigns where the outcome could make a difference for us.

Check out the Summer of Equality calendar and sign up today by visiting www.MassEquality.org/soe_doc/index.php