URGENT ACTION ALERT FROM MASSEQUALITY

[Ian David]

Sent on behalf of the MassEquality
massequality.org

ACTION ALERT

URGENT: Marriage ban vote is just four days away -- your help today is critical for saving same-sex marriage in Massachusetts!

On January 2nd, legislators will once again vote on whether to advance a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

In November, 109 principled legislators voted to end debate on this matter, but it’s not over yet. We must ask our legislators to take one more principled stand to fully and finally end debate on this amendment.

I know that over the past three years, we have issued many urgent calls to action. Let me assure you that we have never needed you more than we do now. The future of marriage equality is at stake, and we must ask our legislators to remain steadfast in their defense of our constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law. Your quick action now will make a big difference in keeping a same-sex marriage ban off of the ballot in 2008.

There are four important actions you can take today.

1. Join us at the State House next Tuesday <http://www.massequality.org/events/?id=10438 > . We must have a strong presence at the State House when legislators meet to consider this amendment. We’ve heard that our opponents are bringing in nine busloads of people from around the state. We need you there. The Constitutional Convention begins at 2, but we’ll be rallying from 8 AM. Let us know you’re coming <http://www.massequality.org/events/?id=10438> .

2. Send a message to your legislators <http://www.massequality.org/action/start.php> . Please tell them what equal marriage rights mean to you and ask them to stand strong and defend marriage equality. Remind them that the only sure way to protect marriage is to adjourn on January 2nd. It takes just a moment to send your message <http://www.massequality.org/action/start.php> to legislators through our Web site.

3. Write to your local newspaper <http://www.massequality.org/action/lte.php> . Let your community know that you support marriage equality. Use our Web site to quickly send a letter to the editor <http://www.massequality.org/action/lte.php> of your local paper.

4. Forward this message to your friends, family members and colleagues. We have just four days before legislators decide the future of marriage equality in Massachusetts and we need every supporter of equality to take action now.

As you prepare to celebrate the New Year’s Day holiday this weekend, please help us make sure 2007 is a happy new year for supporters of equality everywhere.

Thank you,
Marc Solomon
Campaign Director
MassEquality
The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up. We do this by training activists, organizing broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task Force are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. (C) 2005–2006 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. 1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. Phone [phone]. Fax [phone]. TTY 202.393.2284. [e-mail]

[dsc]

1. I know it is a huge risk

but I am beginning to wonder if we wouldn't be better off by actually letting the people vote. Polls show us winning pretty decently. If we did win, it would forever silence the activist judge crap and legitimize the movement in a way it hasn't been before.

[Ian David]

2. I thought about that too, but there are three main issues with that.

1) It sets a terrible precedent to say that you can place someone's civil rights at the mercy of a popularity contest.

2) Voting on the civil rights of a minority group is bitter, divisive and destructive to families, communities and individuals-- regardless of the outcome.

3) The longer we put off a vote (if a vote ever happens) the more in our favor the numbers become. If a vote eventually does happen, we become more assured of victory the longer we wait.

[dsc]

3. I agree with all of that

but eventually our rights are a popularity contest. Without broadbased public support no amount of judicial decision making will render our rights safe. But the divisive nature of such a vote is a huge cost. Either way I want marriage to stay viable in one state.

[Ian David]

4. The Colbert Doctrine: Make Massachusetts "Gaysrael," Israel for Gays...

by keeping it legal in Massachusetts, even if it's illegal everywhere else.

[dsc]

5. I would move there in a NY minute if I could

but I would never be able to find a teaching job well enough paying to live there. We do need one state to point to where the sky hasn't fallen in despite us having the ability to marry.

[TaleWgnDg]

6. k