Jerry's Weekly Update on the Fight for Marriage Equality
Full Edition Available at: http://home.comcast.net/~SSCIVILRIGHTS/newsletter.htm

July 29th, Edition 

OUR STATE HOUSE SUPPORTERS ARE HIT HARD BY ANTI-GAY OUTRAGE.
LEGISLATORS THAT VOTED TO RECONVENE IN NOVEMBER HAVE BEEN SLAMMED WITH LETTERS AND CALLS FROM ANTI-GAY ACTIVISTS...

...AND HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ABSENCE OF "THANKS" FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
WE MAY HAVE LOST SUPPORTERS IN THE PROCESS.

Hi friends, 

In the past 2 updates following the legislature's decision to delay the vote on the citizen's petition, I have been mentioning the urgent need to THANK the legislators that voted to give us more time to win-over more support.  Well, that THANKS has not has not happened.  What has happened is that our opposition has continued to use its endless national funding to keep the State House flooded with calls and letters of protest.  I have seen some of these communications for myself.  Just go to the "Vote On Marriage " and "Mass Resistance" sites for yourself, to see what has been flooding the offices of the Legislature.

There is a good chance that this effort, along with the editorials and letters to the editor that have been published in newspapers around the state by our opposition, have impacted the stance of those legislators considered to be "on the fence" to lean in favor of the petition.  

PLEASE TAKE 2 MINUTES TO TAKE SOME KIND OF ACTION: It only takes a couple minutes to throw together a short email or quick phone message of thanks to our supporters.  PLEASE TRY.  

I'll make it even easier,  just click the 5 link below! 
If the links below are not working, go the the web version of this newsletter at: http://home.comcast.net/~SSCIVILRIGHTS/newsletter.htm

1) CLICK HERE TO SEND eMAIL TO REPRESENTATIVES GROUP1 (A-G):

2) CLICK HERE TO SEND eMAIL TO REPRESENTATIVES GROUP2 (H-P):

3.) CLICK HERE TO SEND eMAIL TO REPRESENTATIVES GROUP3 (P-Z):

4.) CLICK HERE TO SEND AN EMAIL TO ALL THE MA SENATORS:

5.) CLICK HERE To send an email to Jerry confirming the actions above

If you live in MA, it is best to include your name and address so that the politicians know that you are registered voters.  If you are sending the email from out of state, you can just leave your location information out.  (TRUST ME our opposition is doing the same) 

PLEASE FORWARD THE ABOVE LINKS TO AS MANY OF YOUR CONTACTS AS POSSIBLE!

I'll try to list more recommended "next steps" next week.

TAKE ACTION NOW!!!
NEWSPAPER "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" 
In the cases where friends do not have the time, WE (either myself or other volunteers from my distribution list) 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  

 

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
 

 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

 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

 
State-Wide & Boston
The Boston Herald:
Send Editorial
 		   NEW:  Gay-marriage ban restricts liberty 
South Shore MA
The Patriot Ledger: 
Send Editorial
 		 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

 

 NEW AND NEEDS A RESPONSE!:  READER'S VIEW: Civil unions fair way to deal with marriage issue 

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!)

 
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		 NEW:  LETTER: Happiness, oil prices and the war in Iraq 

NEW:  LETTER: Webster's, constitution have already done job 

NEW:  LETTER: Exclude no one from wonderful blessing 

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

    
     

 

LOCAL MA HEADLINES:

NOTEABLE NATIOAN HEADLINE: Washington falls 
Another majority opinion filled with illogical arguments and irrational statements about same-sex couples... read more.

No strings attached 
New commission on gay youth will exist outside of gov’s office... read more

Recipe for disaster? 
Bay Windows, Ethan Jacobs and Laura Kiritsy
In the aftermath of the July 12 constitutional convention, the coalition of lawmakers and advocates working to protect marriage equality is split on how to defeat a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage

Out, gay politicos attend Kennedy School 
The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which works to elect openly LGBT officials across the country, sent seven LGBT elected officials, government workers and nonprofit workers to attend the Harvard Kennedy School’s three-week Senior Executives in State and Local Government leadership development program, which wraps up at the end of this week, to help them develop their leadership skills.... read more

Gabrieli: long history of gay support 
In Newsweekly
OR IS HE A SPOILER FOR PATRICK'S RUN? WIDE-RANGING INTERVIEW REVEALS IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION WITH GAY AND TRANS ISSUES, BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN FOR SOME GAY VOTERS .

Romney's move to ax gay tax judge questioned 
In Newsweekly
Gov. Mitt Romney issued an executive order Friday abolishing the state’s 14-year-old governor’s commission on gay and lesbian youth after lawmakers overrode his veto of a bill creating a new commission out of the reach of the governor’s office.


  
OTHER NATION/WORLD-WIDE STORIES AT:

  
Previous issues are also listed on the online copy of this Newsletter (click to view)

7/23/2006: Time to get planning/making our next moves to protect marriage equality.

7/16/2006: Slight victory at State House means 4 more months to gain the support we need.

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.

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!

 

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

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