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