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

September 23, Edition

PRIMARY SUCCESS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!
Although the ignorant and bigoted people trying to take away our freedoms must be having a stroke!

PLEASE DON'T STOP THE MOMENTUM:
WE STILL HAVE NOT WON OUR PROTECTION!

Hi friends, 

WE WON a battle!.. This past Tuesday, we had the boost we needed to (hopefully) move the momentum of legislative and public support, back into our favor.  DEVAL PATRICK'S significant victory and the defeat/replacement of our 3 loudest critics in the legislature, and the fact that every pro-equality incumbent defeated their primary challengers, sends a message that our community supports and protects those legislators that support us.

We need to be LEADING this fight instead of defending it! 

Please take a close look at the right column overview of legislators and new candidates in need of our help. 

It took hours of my time to pull together  for reference when you complete the critical  action items listed below.

Then, please ask your friends if I can add them to my distribution.  

Our opposition is FURIOUS, and responding louder and harder than before.  They are already attacking us (and all the heroic legislators that you see in red to the right) in order to sway the general public their way... Check out this timely Letter-to-the-editor in the Boston Globe, from Brian Camenker, the president of the carefully renamed "Parents Rights Coalition" (formally known as "MassResistance", and "Article8" and (ugh) "FISTGATE.")  

We need to be LEADING this fight instead of defending. Please take a close look at the right column overview of legislators and new candidates in need of our help. It took hours of my time to pull together  for reference when you complete the critical  action items listed below

The momentum of the entire country is hinged right here in MA!  This victory was just a primary; it has only helped to ensure that we have a strong backing in this November elections.  The REAL FIGHT IS RIGHT NOW!.. Don't think our opposition here in MA, AND NATIONWIDE is giving up. Anti-gay forces nation-wide, are focusing on our defeat in Massachusetts.  

Don't believe me?... Don't forget that NATIONAL ANTI-GAY fundamentalists/evangelists are headed to MA on October 15th, to telethon for massive funding from across the nation, specifically intended to eradicate marriage, and all other legal protections for gay people here in MA.

Please use the elections data on the right as reference when completing these 5 actions:

Supporting "equality" legislators' efforts for November elections: Many of the incumbents listed on the right have put their jobs on the line for us.  

These heroes need our help and WE NEED them, as well as those new candidates running to either replace retiring supporter or trying to unseat our those who disagree with our right to legal protections.

You can find out what district you are in by going to wheredoivotema.com

If you do not have any pro-equality races in your town, look to nearby towns where you can lend support.

Continued Donations
As time passes, funds deplete for many of our supportive organizations.  Please donate $ on a regular basis.

We would not have the protections that we currently have if it were not for the efforts of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) 

We would have lost these protections through recent proposed constitutional amendments if it were not for the efforts or MassEquality, the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry (RCFM) and The Human Righs Campaign (HRC).

Don't have the cash right now?... TIME is just as important as money, these same organizations are in dire need of volunteers.
  

Public Relations/Education

Letters to the Editor of local newspapers are in CRITICAL need as out opposition is currently launching a major assault against legislators that support us, using false or twisted data in order to sway the general public. 

Wary of listing your name locally?... then write in to other areas The Attleboro, MA area is in serious need of our help as well as the Boston South Shore.

Note: Letters from married gay couples are important but those from straight and single allies make a HUGE impact. 
  

Contacting MA legislators regularly

Everyone has both a state senator and a representative, each with a crucial vote for our protection.  

Regular communications via hand-written letter of quick phone calls are crucial in the constant battle for equality.  

Many legislators take counts of how many people contact their offices on either side of a debate.
 

Volunteering
Our progress in this fight does not occur 
automatically.  There has been a disturbing trend of  complacency when it comes to the fight for our protections.

CLICK HERE FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED ACTIONS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORUNITIES

 


 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:  Result hardly a referendum on gay marriage 

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

Much is lost along with Pluto 

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
 
  Gay-marriage ban restricts liberty 
South Shore MA
The Patriot Ledger:
 
Send Editorial
 
  READER'S VIEW: Delaying gay marriage vote was a dereliction 

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

 

NEW:  READER'S RESPONSE TO "Delaying gay marriage vote was a dereliction"
 
(THANKS JIM!)

NEW:  READERS’ OPINIONS: Committed to fight for equal marriage 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: What human rights are involved in marriage?

THIS NEEDS A RESPONSE!:
NEW: LETTER: Under this logic, oust senators, too

THIS NEEDS A RESPONSE!:
NEW: LETTER: Constitution puts people at top of the pyramid

  LETTER: Same-sex marriage issue upstaged by 100 cowards

  LETTER: Please enlighten me on why gay marriage is legal

Letter: Praises heroes for stand against discrimination 

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, Halifax,  Marshfield, and  Pembroke Reporters 
Send to Editor Scott Smith
 

   

Kingston Reporter 
Send to Editor: Charles Mathewson
Kingston Area MA

   
     

PRO-EQUALITY INCUMBENTS &  CANDIDATES 
(in the red boxes below)
NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

You can find out what district you are in by going to wheredoivotema.com
 

  
Deval Patrick

for governor.
 

State Senate candidates
(i) -- candidate is an incumbent.

   

BERKSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE & FRANKLIN 

D- Benjamin Downing 

R- Matthew Kinnaman
   

BRISTOL & NORFOLK

D- James Timilty  (i)  
 

R- Michael Atwill 
 
 

CAPE & ISLANDS

D- Robert O'Leary (i)
 

R- Ricardo Barros
 
  

1st HAMPDEN & HAMPSHIRE

D- Gale Candaras
 

R- Enrico Villamaino
 
 

HAMPSHIRE & FRANKLIN

D- Stanley Rosenberg (i)
 

R- Michaela LeBlanc
   

1st MIDDLESEX

D- Steven Panagiotakos (i) 
   

R- Brooks Lyman
    

 3rd MIDDLESEX

D- Susan Fargo (i)
 

R- Sandra Martinez  
    

 NORFOLK, BRISTOL & PLYMOUTH

D- Brian Joyce (i) 
    

James Aldred
  

 PLYMOUTH & NORFOLK 

D- Stephen Lynch
 

R- Robert Hedlund (i)
 

2nd SUFFOLK 

D- Dianne Wilkerson (i) 
  

R- Samiyah Diaz 
    

 SUFFOLK & NORFOLK 

D- Marian Walsh (i)  

R- Douglas Obey
      

 1st WORCESTER

D- Harriette Chandler (i)
  

R- Paul Nordborg
    

 
2nd WORCESTER

D- Edward Augustus  (i)
  

R- Richard Peters
    

 
You can find out what district you are in by going to
wheredoivotema.com
  
  
 

 
Candidates for State Representative

(i) -- candidate is an incumbent.
  

2nd BARNSTABLE

D- Demetrius Atsalis (i)

R- William Crocker
    

4th BARNSTABLE 

D- Sarah Peak
 

R- Donald Howell / Aaron Maloy 
  

BARNSTABLE, DUKES & NANTUCKET 

D- Eric Turkington (i)

R- James Powell 
  

1st BRISTOL

D- Claire Naughton 

R- Jay Barrows
    

2nd BRISTOL 

D- Kate Jackson

R- John Lepper (i)
     

4th BRISTOL

 D- Steven D'Amico
 

R- Steven Howitt
    

10th BRISTOL

D- William Straus (i)  

R- Peter Winters
    

2nd ESSEX

D- Harriett Stanley
 

R Evan O'Reilly
    

12th ESSEX

D- Joyce Spiliotis (i)

R- Jason Harding
  

15th ESSEX

D- Linda Campbell 
  

R- Robert Andrew
    

18th ESSEX

D- Barbara L'Italien (i)

R- Lawrence Brennan
    

3rd HAMPDEN

D- Rosemary Sandlin 
  
G
- Owen Broadhurst
 

R- Robert Magovern
    

10th HAMPDEN

D- Cheryl Rivera
 (i)

R- George Vazquez
    

12th HAMPDEN

D- Angelo Puppolo     

R Christopher Leisey
    

1st HAMPSHIRE

D- Peter Kocot (i)  

R- John Andrulis
    

1st MIDDLESEX

D- Carol Bousquet    

R- Robert Hargraves (i)
 
   

10th MIDDLESEX

D- Peter Koutoujian (i)  

R- Dara Pourghasemi
    

13th MIDDLESEX

D- Thomas Conroy     

R- Susan Pope (i)
    

16th MIDDLESEX

D- Thomas Golden (i)  

R- Matthew Prahl 
     

24th MIDDLESEX

D- William Brownsberger
  

R- Elizabeth Firenze 
    

25th MIDDLESEX

D- Alice Wolf (i) 
 

R- Henry Irving
    

29th MIDDLESEX

D- Rachel Kaprielian (i)

R- Keith Mercurio
    

37th MIDDLESEX

D- James Eldridge (i)

R- Kevin Hayes
    

4th NORFOLK

D- James Murphy (i)  

R- Robert Thomas
  
  

8th NORFOLK

D- Louis Kafka (i)

R- Lydia Wiener
  

2nd PLYMOUTH

D- Margaret Ishihara
  

R- Susan Gifford (i)
  

5th PLYMOUTH

D- Robert Nyman (i)  

R- Timothy Gillespie
     

6th PLYMOUTH

D- Greg Hanley  
 

R Daniel Webster (i) 
     

7th PLYMOUTH

D- Allen McCarthy 
     

R- Andrew Burbine
    

12th PLYMOUTH

D- Thomas O'Brien (i)  

R- Paul Curtis
   

3rd SUFFOLK

D- Sal DiMasi (i)
  

R- Kenneth Procaccianti 
     

5th SUFFOLK

D- Marie St. Fleur (i)  

R- Althea Garrison