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

September 9th, Edition 

ENTERING CRITICAL STATUS
PLEASE RESPOND: I'm interested in learning what each of you has done lately, for those who need your help in MA

Hi friends, 

First things first, special thanks to our friend Jim who had a Letter-To-The-Editor published this week that countered a nasty letter attacking our supportive legislators.  A SUPER THANKS goes out to our friend Peg, who has scheduled an in person meeting with her representative on the South Shore to ask for the support of marriage equality; THANK YOU PEG!.. Our straight allies are CRUCIAL in this fight.

I'm taking this update to thank ALL those who have continued tirelessly, to support civil rights for thousands of people like me who are now threatened in MA.  There are friends who always make sure to reply to my email, confirming the action items taken, those who have been volunteering personal time to MassEquality, GLAD etc, others fighting the public relations battle, many who continue to help pressure and support legislators on a regular basis, and those awesome individuals that continue with "all of the above".

To my friends and colleagues who have not recently been so active. Its not too late to make a difference - a difference that can set the stage for our whole country. There is a incredible feeling that you experience, once you complete even the smallest task that could impact the security and well-being of others.  PLEASE contact me; let me know what you've recently done and if you think there was a noticeable result (or not) so that I might recommend to others (and try for myself).   I'm interested in even the "smallest" of actions.

Actions we all could/should be doing:

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 your 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
 

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:  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 Reporter, Halifax Reporter, Marshfield Reporter, Pembroke Reporter 
Send to Editor Scott Smith
 

   

Kingston Reporter 
Send to Editor: Charles Mathewson
Kingston Area MA

   
     

 

PRO-EQUALITY INCUMBENTS -  CANDIDATES NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
(this list will grow as I gain more info)

 
Deval Patrick

for governor.
 
Deb Goldberg
for lieutenant governor. 



Senate incumbents 

Edward Augustus
 
(2nd Worcester)

Harriette Chandler (1st Worcester)

Susan Fargo 
(3rd Middlesex)

Robert Havern 
(4th Middlesex)

Brian Joyce 
(Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth)

Mark Montigny 
(2nd Bristol and Plymouth)

Robert O’Leary (Cape and Islands)
Stanley Rosenberg (Hampshire and Franklin)

James Timilty (Bristol and Norfolk)
Marian Walsh
 (Suffolk and Norfolk)

Dianne Wilkerson (Second Suffolk). 
  
   

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

 
House incumbents: 

 
Demetrius Atsalis
(2nd Barnstable)

Deborah Blumer 
(6th Middlesex)
Antonio Cabral 
(13th Bristol)

Steve Canessa 
(12th Bristol)

House Speaker 
Sal DiMasi 

(3rd Suffolk)
James Eldridge (37th Middlesex)
Mark Falzone (9th Essex)

Jennifer Flanagan (4th Worcester)
Ann Gobi (5th Worcester)

Thomas Golden (16th Middlesex)
Mary Grant (6th Essex)

Denis Guyer 
(2nd Berkshire)
Louis Kafka (8th Norfolk)

Rachel Kaprielian (29th Middlesex)

Jay Kaufman 
(15th Middlesex)

Peter Kocot 
(1st Hampshire)

Peter Koutoujian (10th Middlesex)

James Leary 
(14th Worcester)

Barbara L’Italien (18th Essex)

David Linsky 
(5th Middlesex)

Allen McCarthy 
(7th Plymouth)

Michael Moran 
(18th Suffolk)

Tom O’Brien 
(12th Plymouth)

William “Smitty” Pignatelli 
(4th Berkshire)

Cheryl Coakley-Rivera 
(10th Hampden)

Carl Sciortino 
(34th Middlesex)

Harriett Stanley 
(2nd Essex)

Marie St. Fleur 
(5th Suffolk)

William Straus 
(10th Bristol)

Ben Swan 
(11th Hampden)

Eric Turkington (Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket)

Cleon Turner 
(1st Barnstable)

Alice Wolf 
(25th Middlesex). 

   

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

New Candidates 

Chris Hodgkins

For the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin Senate seat

James Driscoll
For the 12th Hampden House seat

Patrick Driscoll
For the 6th Worcester House seat

Rosemary Miller
For the 28th Middlesex House seat

Claire Naughton
For the 1st Bristol House seat
 
Sarah Peake
For the 4th Barnstable House seat

Rosemary Sandlin For the 3rd Hampden House seat

Steven D’Amico
For the 4th Bristol House seat
   

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

LOCAL MA HEADLINES:

Gubernatorial forum set for Sept. 12 with Gabrieli, Patrick
TWO OF THREE CANDIDATES CONFIRMED TO FACE-OFF IN FIRST-EVER MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY FORUM FOCUSED ON GLBT ISSUES

For new governor, divisive issues loom
Debate ahead on same-sex marriage

Straight man claims sex bias; Company would give benefits to partner if he were gay, but he lives with a woman 

Senate candidates step it up 

Senate candidates step it up 

Political Intelligence 
...Members of the gay community should be especially sensitive to the tax cutting differences between Gabrieli and Patrick. Yes, both are equivalent in their support for civil marriage; so gay voters need to look for a tie-breaker. I think the candidates’ taxation policy differences is clearly it. Budget cuts have hit hard at state funding for HIV patients and one can only suspect that a tax cut may make many gay men and others living with HIV victims yet again. Though Gabrieli has a nice, glossy colorful brochure you can order on line as to how he’ll make the cuts, I’ve seen this dance at the political ballroom about a thousand times before. The tax rebates trickle down, a sudden recession brings the revenues further down, and it’s the person in need the most who sees their benefits slashed. .


  
OTHER NATION/WORLD-WIDE STORIES AT:

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

9/2/2006: Do you know who is running/challenging for office in your district?.. many of you could be surprised.?...

8/27/2006: What equality efforts are going on near you?.. Don't know?...

8/20/2006: Back from vacation and gotta jump right in working to gain new legislative support..

8/5/2006: 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.

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