THE MESSAGE
Get in the Game!
The wind is in our sails so far in 2007 with a record-breaking 11 states introducing legislation to end discrimination in marriage, and with Governor Spitzer, himself, introducing New York State's marriage equality bill.
Now, it's a one on one game between us and our legislators. As Paul Shindler wrote in the Gay City News last week, "They all [State Representatives] need to be battered with phone calls, visits, and e-mails."
Tell your legislators that not only is ending discrimination in marriage the right thing to do, but it is also proven that this stance does not hurt re-election opportunities:
- In Massachusetts, the only state which has statewide marriage equality, EVERY state legislator who has supported marriage equality has been re-elected.
The Report Population Report: Gay men & lesbians live
in every Congressional district in the US (Williams Institute) |
The Resource
Why Marriage
|
The Number
12 to 1, number of pro-marriage people testifying versus anti-marriage at last Thursday's Rhode Island Senate hearing. |
The Map 2007 Proposed State
Bills Ending Marriage Discrimination |
THE SPOTLIGHT: Rhode Island
Rhode Island is continuing the battle to end discrimination in marriage. Both the House and Senate Committees are holding hearings for legislation that would end discrimination in marriage. The Senate hearing was already held last Thursday and marriage equality supporters outnumbered opponents 12 to 1. The House Committee hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 16th.
Jenn Steinfeld, executive director of Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI), said, "This year, there is a really different sense, especially in the legislature, that we can't just wait and punt on this issue. Something needs to happen and legislators need to stand up and make it happen." Senfield noted the importance of MERI's partners who helped move these bills forward, including Ocean State Action, ACLU Rhode Island, the Rhode Island National Association of Social Workers, and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). Visit MERI's website to learn more about how to participate this week.
THE NEWS
For the latest news, opinions, and polls, including these articles, check out our website.
National
Couples Enter New Terrain in Push for Marriage Equality in ConnecticutNew York Times; May 13, 2007
On Monday, lawyers representing eight same-sex couples will give oral arguments before the Connecticut Supreme Court, where they will tell the judges that civil unions essentially create a "separate and unequal" status for gay men and lesbians.
Memo to Leading Democratic Candidates RE: Marriage
The Anonymous Liberal; May 11, 2007
Seeing as the goal during primary season is to differentiate yourself from the field without unduly harming your general
election prospects, I've got two words for the leading Democratic candidates: marriage equality.
Regional
Connecticut's Marriage Discrimination Doesn't Stop Families from Forming, but It does Hurt ThemThe Day; May 13, 2007
Under federal law, even though Ego and Frost own their home together, if one should die, the other would have to pay federal inheritance tax on that half of the property. It's a cost that would probably mean the family would have to sell the house in order for the survivor to pay the taxes.
Get in the Game, New York!
Gay City News; May 10, 2007
Between now and next Tuesday, everybody who cares about ending discrimination in marriage should contact undecided
members of the New York Assembly to support the Spitzer-O'Donnell measure, which is sponsored in the Senate by Chelsea's out
gay Democrat Tom Duane.
