Outsports Discussion Board > Support Gay Marriage in Massachusetts!!!

Full Version: Support Gay Marriage in Massachusetts!!!

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BeechBark

Feb 8 2004, 10:29 PM

We have a vote on amending our state constitution coming up on Wednesday. Please take a minute to write a polite email to as many Massachusetts legislators as you can.

Please be sure to say in your email the following points:

1. You oppose amending the state constitution.
2. You support equal marriage rights for gay citizens.
3. You appreciate that it's a difficult vote but that the legislator should remember that history is watching and they should do the right thing.

Please be polite and positive in your emails!

I know that some of you are not from MA but they don't need to know that.

Here's where you can find contact info for Massachusetts legislators:

House

Senate

Please remember that the vote is very close!!! If we can stop it here then our opponents will have a much more difficult time trying it again later.

We need all the support we can get!!! It is open political warfare here right now!!! So please send emails to as many of them as you can!!!!!

REMEMBER THAT THE FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIANS FROM OUT OF STATE ARE HERE AND ARE ACTIVE!!!! WE NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GIVE!!!!!

BeechBark

Feb 8 2004, 10:31 PM

Please tell everyone you know to do the same thing. The more email (and calls) these guys get the better!!!!

BeechBark

Feb 8 2004, 10:34 PM

Here, for your convenience, are all the emails of the Massachusetts Senate:

SBaddour@senate.state.ma.us, JBarrios@senate.state.ma.us, FBerry@senate.state.ma.us, SBrewer@senate.state.ma.us, HChandle@senate.state.ma.us, RCreedon@senate.state.ma.us, CCreem@senate.state.ma.us, SFargo@senate.state.ma.us, GGlodis@senate.state.ma.us, JHart@senate.state.ma.us, RHavern@senate.state.ma.us, RHedlund@senate.state.ma.us, BJoyce@senate.state.ma.us, MKnapik@senate.state.ma.us, BLees@senate.state.ma.us, TMcGee@senate.state.ma.us, DMagnani@senate.state.ma.us, LMelconi@senate.state.ma.us, JMenard@senate.state.ma.us, MMontign@senate.state.ma.us, RMoore@senate.state.ma.us, MMorriss@senate.state.ma.us, TMurray@senate.state.ma.us, ANucifor@senate.state.ma.us, ROleary@senate.state.ma.us MPacheco@senate.state.ma.us, SPanagio@senate.state.ma.us,PResor@senate.state.ma.us,Sen.StanRosenberg@senate.state.ma.us, CShannon@senate.state.ma.us, JSprague@senate.state.ma.us, BTarr@senate.state.ma.us, RTisei@senate.state.ma.us, STolman@senate.state.ma.us, RTravagl@senate.state.ma.us, STucker@senate.state.ma.us, DWilkers@senate.state.ma.us

[ February 08, 2004, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: BeechBark ]

BeechBark

Feb 8 2004, 10:36 PM

Okay I fixed that list. You should be able to copy it and paste it into an email easily enough.

[ February 08, 2004, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: BeechBark ]

Denver Fan

Feb 8 2004, 11:18 PM

you missed a comma after ROleary...just to let you know.

I wrote an email, here is the text.

Dear Senator,

Although it may be difficult at this time, and perhaps this State and Country is not prepared for it, Gay Marriage is now the pressing issue for this session. I ask you to vote "No" on the proposed amendment to the State Constitution. Instead, an amendment worded to allow Civil Unions while banning full Gay Marriage would be the better alternative. History will judge what you do these next few days. We cannot speculate what that judgment will be, but as a person of clear conscience I hope you will make the right decision and vote "No" on this proposal. There are other ways to resolve this issue than a full outright ban. Please don't get caught up in the moment and allow your emotions to cloud your civic duty to ensure equality for all. As an honored elected official I trust you will take advantage of this opportunity to show the country that Massachusetts does not discriminate.

Thank You,

Jeff Anderson
concerned citizen

I know many of you might not agree with what I said, but this amendment is being put forward with too much emotion and anger. I believe small steps will get us to Gay marriage, and Civil Unions is the next step, not a leap into marriage when the country is not prepared for it.

BeechBark

Feb 8 2004, 11:28 PM

Thank you Denver. I don't agree with the civil union remark but it doesn't matter anyway. The court has already ruled that civil unions aren't acceptable.

Also, be aware that the amendment they are voting on might also ban civil unions. Don't assume that they will give you half a loaf. Our opponents want it ALL.

Denver Fan

Feb 8 2004, 11:49 PM

I know, I was simply trying to plant a seed in thier mind that an amendment with an all out ban isn't the right thing to do. Although the court ruled against Civil Unions, an amendment can be worded to allow such a thing. I am simply affraid that this ruling will backfire somehow. We are already seeing it at the Federal level. Believe me when I say that I want equal marriage rights, I just don't see it happening so soon. I see Civil unions as our "Separate but Equal" in good time it will show itself as truly un-equal like the Civil Rights movement did and then perhaps we will have the climate to act on the full marriage rights.

BeechBark

Feb 9 2004, 12:03 AM

I disagree strongly. The time to fight this battle is now, here in Massachusetts. And then at the federal level. We can win it, we just need to believe in ourselves and act accordingly.

CPT_Doom

Feb 9 2004, 09:19 AM

I have no idea if the MA legislature will listen to those of us from out of state, but I took a shot - here is my letter:

QUOTE

Dear Senator:

I am writing to you today to urge you to reject the proposed amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution to block same-sex marriage. As a native son of Massachusetts and a gay man, I was thrilled when the SJC ruled that marriage rights must be granted to gays and lesbians. I was happy to see my home state once again embrace the true values of liberty, freedom and religious tolerance that make this country great.

Now you have the opportunity to uphold that ruling, and I urge you to do so. I realize that positions are polarized on this issue, and many of your constituents are opposed to legal recognition of gay and lesbian relationships. However, I do not believe that history will look fondly at any attempt to change a constitution, whether at the state or federal level, solely to block a group of citizens from enjoying the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The hallmark of the United States has always been our ability to live side-by-side, even when we have differing values. The gay and lesbian couples of Massachusetts who will benefit from this SJC ruling are simply trying to live by that hallmark - to live full, rich and satisfying lives according to their deeply held moral and ethical beliefs - not someone else's.

The granting of civil marriage rights to gays and lesbians does not require anyone to change their religious views, and does not require any church to accept any relationship that church does not find moral - just as legal recognition of remarriage after civil divorce does not require any change in religious beliefs or teachings. What it does do is provide needed protection for families that are left to fend for themselves currently - and yes it does signal to gay and lesbian people that they are considered equal by their government.

By now you have heard every argument for and against gay marriage; the most damaging argument you may have heard is that gay marriage will \"destroy\" the institution itself, but I cannot foresee a day when straight people will not be married just because gays and lesbians have the same right. The world will only be a better place when gays and lesbians are treated no better, but certainly no worse, than our neighbors.

I no longer have the privilege of living in the wonderful Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but I have deep roots in my family and friends in that state. I support their marriages fully, and know that they will support me in any long-term relationship I choose to enter. Their lives and my life are enriched by our mutual friendship and support, and there is no reason for any of us to be treated differently by our government.

I thank you for your time, and appreciate your efforts and energy during this difficult debate.

William F. Tulloch
Holyoke Catholic High School (Holyoke, MA) Class of 1985
Washington, DC

We all should do our part to counter the huge effort the anti-gay right has put into this amendment.

Denver Fan

Feb 9 2004, 06:34 PM

Here is my first response:

Thanks for contacting me to express your views on the proposed
constitutional amendment to the state constitution that would ban same
gender marriages in Massachusetts.

I agree with the opinion of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the
Goodridge v. Department of Public Health decision and I will continue to
support that position. I am working closely with leaders of the GLBT
community, both in Boston and Western Massachusetts, on strategies to oppose
any measures that would codify discrimination in our state laws or
constitution. It is impossible to anticipate every scenario that will arise
because there are a number of moving pieces, including a possible amendment
to the proposed constitutional amendment. Be assured that I will keep in
close touch with these leaders and will do my best to represent the
interests of the GLBT community as this battle unfolds.

Again, thanks for taking the time to contact me to express your opinion on
this crucial civil rights matter.

STAN ROSENBERG
State Senator

Put a one in our column

BeechBark

Feb 9 2004, 08:11 PM

Thank you all for writing them. Here is an interesting article from the CSMonitor:

Hub of a culture clash

With this week's vote on gay marriage, Boston becomes a focal point of nation's culture wars.
By Noel C. Paul and Sara B. Miller | Staff writers of The Christian Science Monitor

BOSTON – Oliver Wendell Holmes called Massachusetts's State House "the hub of the solar system." The state's relative influence has dimmed somewhat since the 19th century.

But this week - as lawmakers consider a constitutional amendment on marriage - the portrait-lined hallways and historic chambers of the state capitol are situated at the center of the political universe.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0210/p01s03-usju.html

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