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Congress’s new low …a message from Joe Solmonese

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Can they sink any lower?

Speaker John Boehner and Republican House leaders have now committed taxpayer money to a morally bankrupt effort to keep the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on the books.

Republican House leaders are defending DOMA in court and right-wing lawmakers have introduced an anti-LGBT resolution in the House.

But for the first time ever, we have bills in both houses of Congress to repeal DOMA.

And more than 90 U.S. representatives are wasting time on a mean-spirited resolution to reinforce DOMA by declaring same-sex couples unequal.

But here’s the catch. Our new poll shows they’re squarely at odds with a majority of Americans who think DOMA is just plain wrong.1

And starting this week, we have a new chance to fight back – now with hard data on our side.

The Respect for Marriage Act – a bill that would repeal DOMA – has just been introduced in both houses of Congress. But it won’t go anywhere unless thousands of people like you turn up the pressure on lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, starting immediately. Can you take one minute to send a letter now?

www.hrc.org

Make your voice heard. Tell Congress now is the time to toss DOMA for good.

The right-wing faction in Congress is so deeply committed to dialing back rights for LGBT Americans that nearly 100 of them are cosponsoring a resolution condemning President Obama for his brave decision last month to no longer defend DOMA in court.

As Americans struggle to recover from the recession, we just want our government to do right by us. But Republican House leaders are doing the exact opposite – committing taxpayer money and precious time to defend a law that most Americans oppose, and a social agenda that most Americans reject.

They want to continue denying loving couples the benefits of marriage. It’s outrageous – and the public doesn’t have the patience for it.

Thanks to the leadership of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Jerry Nadler, we have a way of circumventing the defense of this law by Boehner and his cronies. Together, we can end DOMA, which denies legally married same-sex couples over 1,100 protections and responsibilities – and we can do it in the exact place it was first passed in 1996.

Join us in taking a stand for LGBT families everywhere. To make the Respect for Marriage Act a reality, your representatives in Congress need to hear from you.

Tell Congress: Repeal DOMA now!

Speaker Boehner doesn’t know what he’s up against as he goes all out to defend this discriminatory law. Our fight may have only just begun, but I know we’re fighting on the right side of history.

Thank you for everything you do – and for joining us in this effort.

To repeal,

Joe Solmonese

President

1 A new poll from HRC and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research shows 51 percent of Americans oppose DOMA while 34 percent favor it. 54 percent of Americans want Congress to focus on jobs and only 32 percent would prefer Congress spend time defending DOMA.

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URGENT: House Republican​s preparing to defend DOMA!


In the wake of President Obama’s courageous decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), radical lawmakers have sunk to a new low.

Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor have spent this past week working to placate anti-LGBT members of Congress and their right wing base by indicating they will defend DOMA – no matter what it takes.

So much for their pledges to focus on jobs and the economy. These so-called fiscal conservatives are wasting Congress’s time and resources to defend discrimination.

We’ve never taken these attacks sitting down – and we can’t start now. Time and again, our opponents lash out when we make progress. And time and again we band together to stop them. We’ve got to do it again this week, with a rapid-response effort in Congress and beyond. Can you help now? www.hrc.org

In the past several weeks, HRC has helped drive major victories: civil unions in Hawaii and Illinois; unprecedented progress on marriage equality in Maryland, Rhode Island, and New York; and President Obama’s decision on DOMA. All of those phone calls, rallies, letters to Congress, meetings with lawmakers – they’re working.

But these victories have pushed our opponents to redouble their efforts to undermine equality.  www.hrc.org

So we’re at a crossroads. We can catapult off of these recent victories and others in Illinois and Hawaii, grab this momentum with both hands and lay a foundation now for a future of full marriage equality – or we can let the extreme right wing dictate America‘s political agenda.

Right-wing radicals know the tide is turning against them. It’s just making them more desperate. Only your generous grassroots support will help us stand strong. We must seize this moment. Are you with us    www.hrc.org

Thank you for helping us win – and for keeping this movement stro ng.

Best,

Joe Solmonese

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Administration Drops Defense of DOMA


Administration Drops Defense of DOMA

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families. 202-456-1111

In a rare and extraordinary step, today the Obama Administration announced that it will stop defending the discriminatory federal “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) in court – specifically, the section that denies federal benefits to married same-sex couples.

DOMA keeps these couples from getting family and medical leave, Social Security survivors’ benefits, joint tax filing, and immigration rights, among many other benefits.

You helped bring about this historic day. HRC supporters like you have written tens of thousands of letters to President Obama, shared thousands of personal stories of how DOMA has hurt their families, and helped HRC engage in years of advocacy on this issue with the administration.

As President Obama himself has said, DOMA unfairly discriminates against Americans. He needs to know how many people applaud his decision to defend the principles of the constitution.

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families.  202-456-1111

The Obama Administration has dealt a double blow to DOMA today. Not only has it stopped defending this law (which the president has long called discriminatory), it has affirmed that any law that discriminates based on sexual orientation should have to pass a higher legal test in court.

This is a monumental decision for thousands of same-sex couples and their families.

Unfortunately, anti-LGBT leaders in Congress may have a chance to defend the law themselves, so it’s not the end of the road for DOMA.

But together, we’ll fight any attempt to waste taxpayer dollars defending this patently unconstitutional law. The federal government has no business picking and choosing which legal marriages they want to recognize.

Right now, send a message to the President thanking him for today’s decision.

Thank you for all your hard work on this issue, and for your continued commitment to building a nation where all are equal.

Administration Drops Defense of DOMA

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese

President

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Who supports workplace equality? Before you shop, read this …


Some businesses support LGBT workplace equality – and some don’t.

Which ones do you want to support when you’re out shopping around town?

With our new 2011 Buying for Workplace Equality guide and iPhone app, it’s easier than ever to find out where companies stand on workplace equality.

Browse the online version or download a free copy! >> http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=6eRH2GMGcCH_tExeBbTgCw..

From clothing to computers to kids’ stuff, from the latest hairstyles to the grocery aisles, we’ve collected data on hundreds of businesses. And some of the differences between companies selling similar products and services might surprise you:

Macy’s (100%) vs. Saks (30%*)

Staples (100%) vs. Office Depot (45%)

Nike (100%) vs. Adidas/Reebok (15%*)

UPS (100%) vs. FedEx (80%) vs. DHL (30%*)

Whole Foods (85%) vs. Trader Joes (15%*)

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (100%) vs. Pottery Barn/West Elm (30%*)

Take a Sneak Peak inside …click on link below

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=G_XuEnthL12P6yva3wP7TA..

Get the iPhone app:click on link below

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=SBJkK7ij85YKZGNQ0NUm5Q..

Text SHOP and the company or product name to: 30644 click on link below and check it out

  http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=i0Qg4bzy-m66yxkBECBDpA..

In today’s economy, it’s vital that we support the companies, products, and brands that have equal workplace practices for the LGBT community. As you look for that perfect pair of shoes or a great gift for a loved one this Valentine’s Day, you can use the information in this guide to help make your shopping decisions.

Check out the online guide, download a free copy, or get all the info on your phone.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=pkTCX-IStVD1ibzj2DGiAw..

Thanks, and happy shopping!

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese

President

* This year, HRC has provided an estimated score to businesses that have not, after repeated attempts, responded to the survey. An estimated score is reflective of the information that HRC has been able to collect without help or input from a business. Learn more here.  http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=SnBpYTtfnITdrpf0M7dH6w..

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Deadline TONIGHT: Fight for marriage in 2011


We’re looking for just 403 more new HRC members to help start 2011 strong – and there are only hours left before our midnight deadline.

Your membership gift right now could decide whether we see new federal assaults on equality and new bans on same-sex couples marrying – or whether millions of couples will have their love recognized for the first time.

I hope you’ll read this email to find out how and then stand with us.

Help us reach our NEW goal of 3,000 new members before MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. Join HRC now – and add your voice to thousands of other straight supporters.

In the wake of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the far-right is furious – and re-energized.

Here’s what’s happening: In New Hampshire and Iowa, they’re focused on ending marriage equality. In West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Minnesota, constitutional bans on same-sex marriage could be on the table. And just last week, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) announced that it would spend $100,000 on ads opposing marriage equality in Rhode Island.

In Congress, a host of radical new representatives and senators are ready to follow through on their hateful, anti-LGBT campaign promises.

And we’ve learned from experience that right-wing groups like NOM will stop at nothing – and spare no expense – to block our very real chances of winning marriage equality in New York and Maryland and securing civil unions in Hawaii and Delaware. Meanwhile, we are gearing up to help Washington and Oregon achieve marriage equality in 2012.

Our movement must have the strength to overcome extremist lies, support pro-equality champions in Congress, invest in state campaigns, and expose radical hate groups.

After years of fighting for equality, I know I’m not the only one that feels the weight of this moment of opportunity – our opponents feel it, too. Their ads and literature are desperate. They sense the cultural shift. They’re afraid of our momentum.

But they still have a chance to do terrible damage. I believe you know what’s at stake. The only question now is: Will you help us fight?

ONLY HOURS LEFT before our midnight deadline. Become an HRC member now.

NOM can count on their tiny band of massive donors. Right-wing politicians can count on hateful activists with limitless energy. We rely on our members for 85 percent of our funding, not foundations or grants – and I know we can count on you.

Thank you for believing in equality, and being willing to fight for it.

Just hours to go,

Joe Solmonese

President

P.S. If you’ve already put a check in the mail or given to HRC through some other means, thank you. If you’ve yet to contribute, though, please consider making a gift now. Your gift is critical to maintaining our fight against hate and bigotry in all its forms.