Jerry's updates on the fight for Equal Rights

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

August 5th, Edition

TIME TO MULTI-TASK.
We need to try to convince legislators to kill the marriage petition AND we need to be working to gain & RETAIN support in November elections.

Hi friends,

Please note that I'll actually be taking a break next week to go on vacation and celebrate my 40th Birthday (ugh - midlife crisis on the way). If there are any urgent items waiting, when I return, I'll send out a quick midweek update.

This update will be pretty brief as I am still trying to gain the list of supporters that we need to help out in the next few months to ensure election victories. I did learn some interesting marriage statistics that are coming out on MA and on the states that have chosen to write discrimination into their constitutions. One key item that I noted, in THIS ARTICLE is that since we have been allowed to marry, the divorce rate in MA has declined, and the divorce rate of states with marriage amendments are significantly higher (so much for same-sex marriage having negative impact on straight marriages).

Also...

I got a nice surprise from William Henderson, of IN-NEWS Weekly. He called me up for an interview on my newsletter efforts and published a very nice story in this week's edition.

Are gay opponents winning the letter-writing campaign?
A SOUTH SHORE-BASED ACTIVIST BELIEVES THAT'S THE CASE; JERRY RINGUETTE HAS LAUNCHED A WEB SITE TO TRACK AND ENCOURAGE LETTERS SUPPORTING GAY MARRIAGE.

In the wake of the Constitutional Convention, legislators who voted to adjourn until November have been slammed with letters and phone calls from those who oppose marriage equality, while proponents have been lax in sending their thanks and encouraging ongoing support.

So what South Shore-based activist Jerry Ringuette thinks is that the GLBT community needs a swift kick in the ass.

READ THE FULL IN NEWS WEEKLY STORY

Jerry Ringuette (right) and his husband Ed Calabro: “There is a good chance that … 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,” says Ringuette.

Hopefully in 2 weeks I will have the election information we need to really get active. I believe some folks are starting to get attention on the MassEquality website.

I did not receive many confirmations on this call to action, so I am carrying it over for this week.

PLEASE TAKE THESE QUICK ACTIONS AND FORWARD ON TO FRIENDS:

Just click the 5 links below to automatically launch email with pre-filled subject!
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)

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

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

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: Backward logic in the courts
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
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 (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

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: Same-sex marriage issue upstaged by 100 cowards
THIS NEEDS A RESPONSE!:
NEW: LETTER: Please enlighten me on why gay marriage is legal
LETTER: Happiness, oil prices and the war in Iraq
LETTER: Webster's, constitution have already done job

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:

Are gay opponents winning the letter-writing campaign
A SOUTH SHORE-BASED ACTIVIST BELIEVES THAT'S THE CASE; JERRY RINGUETTE HAS LAUNCHED A WEB SITE TO TRACK AND ENCOURAGE LETTERS SUPPORTING GAY MARRIAGE . read more

Christian Right Wrong On Gay Marriage in Massachusetts
Mass Likely To Retain Lowest Divorce Rate Spot In 2005, Gay Marriage Hostile States Lag.... read more.

Backward logic in the courts

Rev. Gomes endorses Patrick for Mass. Gov
ENDORSEMENT CAME AT MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA FUND RAISER JOINTLY HOSTED BY ALEXANDER WESTERHOFF AND TOM LANG (OF KNOW THY NEIGHBOR) AND THE FREEDOM TO MARRY PAC read more.

Possible gay marriage for Rhode Islanders
Rhode Island same-sex couples may soon be able to get married in Massachusetts, pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) on behalf of Wendy Becker and Mary Norton in a trial court..... read more

UGH!: Lobbyist arrested for soliciting sex takes leave of absence
Three days after the Boston Herald published an account of his arrest for allegedly soliciting sexual favors via the Internet, Bill Conley, a well-respected gay activist, formally requested a leave of absence from his job as a lobbyist with the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus.

OTHER NATION/WORLD-WIDE STORIES AT:

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

7/29/2006: OUR STATE HOUSE SUPPORTERS ARE HIT HARD BY ANTI-GAY OUTRAGE.

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