Hundreds of straight allies have already stepped up to help us fight the radical right and to protest the anti-LGBT witch hunt they want to start. We’ve extended our deadline to join HRC until midnight tonight because we’re so close to our goal of signing up 2,000 new members – and I know you can help us fight back, Carmen.
We just crunched the numbers, and we only need 12 more people from Washington to join HRC right now to hit our goal. I hope you’ll pitch in.
Stand with us now. Until midnight tonight ONLY, you can join HRC for $20 – a 43% discount – and still receive a cold cup tumbler as our thank-you. We’re offering this discount because we want to be able to count you as a valued member at this critical time.
Still on the fence? Well, the radical right isn’t sitting back on its heels. In just the last few weeks, several of the GOP presidential candidates have signed onto a pledge to support a constitutional ban on marriage equality – and to launch a commission that will investigate pro-equality advocates like you and me for “harassment” of anti-LGBT antagonists.
We can call out disgusting lies like these and fight back, but only thanks to our members. If love is going to conquer hate and tolerance is going to overwhelm prejudice, it’s going to take the true commitment of straight allies at moments just like these.
Take a look at Joe’s note below and then make your membership gift now.
– Ann Crowley, Membership Director, HRC
Tag Archives: Same-sex marriage
URGENT: Anti-LGBT McCarthyism? … Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign
We’ve come to expect GOP candidates to call for a hateful constitutional amendment banning marriage equality. But we never expected them to support forming a commission to investigate pro-equality advocates like you and me.
I’m not making this up. Several of the GOP presidential candidates have now signed a pledge to appoint “a commission to investigate harassment” of anti-LGBT activists. It’s part of a years-long effort by right-wing groups to protect their mega donors from being held accountable for their hateful views – and it’s picking up speed. Fast.
This witch hunt commission would usher in a despicable era of anti-equality McCarthyism – and it’s a sign of just how radical the right has become. We’re fighting their hate with a grassroots campaign targeting anti-LGBT rhetoric, a media operation to debunk their lies, and a red-state bus tour to promote equality across the nation. But we need 874 more new members to reach our goal of 2,000 by Wednesday if we’re going to pull it off.
Every day, our groundbreaking work in schools and churches advances tolerance and acceptance. Our “Call it Out” campaign is targeting anti-LGBT hatred in local communities across the nation, and all eyes are on Maryland as the next target for marriage equality. We’re battling anti-gay attacks from right-wing zealots and politicians alike, and walking the corridors of Capitol Hill to push for a repeal of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.
But at a moment like this, we need to go big. That’s where our bus tour comes in – and where you can make all the difference.
We started this multi-city tour in the backyard of the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City and we’re continuing onward to other red states throughout the Midwest and South where it’s often tough for LGBT Americans to live openly. We’re going state by state to deliver our message loud and clear: There is no community where intolerance is welcome. There is no slur we won’t call out.
And – most importantly – there is no chance we’ll let a hateful fringe tear down all that we’ve accomplished together in the last years, especially in New York where marriage equality is already under attack.
we can’t afford to cede an inch. But only the support of thousands of straight allies – at a pivotal moment like this – will give us the strength to drive this movement forward.
As we’ve learned time and again – from hate crimes legislation to DADT repeal to New York marriage equality – if we keep standing together, we’ll get to our destination sooner than we think.
Let’s go big,
Joe Solmonese
President
Share this:
What has four wheels and loves equality?
 |
|
Dear Carmen, It’s been an exciting couple months. We’ve won marriage equality in New York, secured new protections for transgender people in Connecticut, and watched as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” crumbled into history. Americans’ support for LGBT equality issues is at an all-time high, but there’s still a long way to go in fighting discrimination and educating the public at large. Carmen, we are at a crossroads and we need to drive as far and as fast as we can toward fairness. So, we’re hitting the road – and we wanted you to be one of the first to know. Ten days from now we’re launching “On the Road to Equality,” our 12-week, 15-city, nationwide bus tour to spread the message and promote equality. We’ll be working with local communities to educate the American public and empower LGBT people to become advocates for fairness all over the country.
This tour will bring us to the reddest of red states where legal protections for LGBT Americans are severely limited and living openly can be incredibly difficult. We’re starting it off in Salt Lake City – where less than a year ago one of the Mormon Church‘s top leaders called same-sex attraction “impure and unnatural” in the days following a rash of teenage suicides. We’ll be traveling then to Omaha and Little Rock and Birmingham and beyond – carrying our message to states with few, if any, legal protections against discrimination. We’ll be holding workshops and forums to help local LGBT communities empower themselves even in some of the nation’s most conservative areas. Achieving equality isn’t just for LGBT people in cities or on the coasts. It’s got to be everywhere. Our bus tour launches in just 10 days and we want to see your support on display as we travel the country. You can also follow all of the action at www.hrc.org/roadtoequality. If you do join us along the way, you’ll get to visit our one-of-a-kind traveling exhibit and share your own story and experiences with our very nifty video sharing tool. We’re excited to have you on board. Bags packed,
Joe Solmonese P.S. You can also text ONTHEROAD to 30644 to join HRC’s ever-growing Mobile Action Network. You’ll get our updates from the road and beyond. |
Share this:
State senator: Gay marriage in Washington State ‘closer to reality’
In May of 2009 A Note from Dan Savage was sent … and a warning against Ref71, stating :
We need to take a stand for equality.
All of us. In Washington, committed same-sex couples and their families now enjoy the same legal protections granted to married couples under state law. The radical right just filed a referendum—Referendum 71—to repeal many of those protections and benefits.
In Washington, today, we need everyone who believes in equality to take a stand for civil rights and decline to sign the Referendum 71 petitions. Especially straight people.
Everyone.
Yes, a lot has been done since then but in this year of 2011
Washington State is still a few votes away from marriage
equality. However, with news that the NYC State Senate approved gay
marriage the article below offers hope for the people of Washington State
to finally move into the 21st century. I have to say the thing that came to my
mind is how much revenue NYC is about to see in the next few weeks, months and
years. It will be incredible for those in the Wedding Business as well as
anything associated. It is just one more state that is willing to see that old
habits can die because our youth just do not see life, love, and equality as
something that should only be legal for a select few. I think equality is a
right not a privilege and while some folks are slow, others should know that
they have to separate church from state and act according. Anyway, the article
below is from the SeattlePI blog
State sen.: Gay marriage in Wash. ‘closer to reality’
One of the architects of a law that gave broad rights to same-sex couples in Washington state says New York’s recognition of gay marriage will make it easier to pass similar legislation in the Evergreen State.
Murray
Late Friday the New York state Senate approved a gay marriage bill, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign. New York will become the sixth and largest state to recognize marriages between gay couples.
State Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, said in a statement that New York provides “momentum for the rest of the nation, including Washington, to follow suit.
“Over the past several years, the Legislature and the public together have been steadily building a bridge to equality for gay and lesbian families. Gay and lesbian families in Washington now enjoy the same state spousal rights that their married straight friends enjoy – except for the name ‘marriage’. Though we have yet to realize full marriage equality, with today’s vote that goal seems more achievable than it was yesterday and closer to reality than ever before.”
Murray helped pass Washington state’s original domestic partnership law in 2007, which provided inheritance rights in cases where there was no will, hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations.
In 2009, Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, were among the main proponents of the “everything but marriage” bill that passed the Legislature, greatly expanding the rights of same-sex couples to include things like workers’ compensation coverage, the right to use sick leave to care for a spouse, victims’ rights, including the right to receive notifications and benefits allowances. Business succession rights and legal process rights, such as the ability to sign certain documents, the requirement to join in certain petitions, rights to cause of action, and ability to transfer licenses without charge.
FUSE …Together for Progress
 |
Rob McKenna’s $5.76 Billion Education Plan Flunks Basic MathIn his campaign announcement last Wednesday, Rob McKenna proposed $5.76 billion in new spending but left voters in the dark about how he would pay for it. He’s even relying on budget projections he repeatedly criticized just two months ago.
|
|
Rob McKenna: A Career Fighting Against ProgressRob McKenna has announced his candidacy for Governor of our state, and we believe he would roll back years of progress that we’ve worked for in Washington. He has established a clear track record of rewarding conservative corporate interests and pandering to Tea Party extremists, all while trying to sound like a moderate in public. Check out our rapid response video exposing McKenna’s conservative record.
|
|
2011 Legislature: What happened?After nearly five months of regular and special session, the state Legislature finally passed a budget late last week and adjourned for the year. We’re not going to sugarcoat things – it was a very tough session. As progressives, we definitely took our lumps, especially on the budget. But we also generated real hope for the future with a powerful, sustained wave of grassroots energy and an impressive level of collaboration among progressive groups. And we helped pass a few other sweet bills that make the budget a little easier to swallow. Click here for the rundown on some key legislation from this year.
|
|
Workers deserve paid sick leave!The Seattle City Council is considering an ordinance that would give every worker the right to take sick leave without sacrificing wages. Workers would earn leave that could be used for preventative care, for sick days, or to care for a family member. Businesses also benefit from healthier, happier, more productive employees. Let the City Council and the Mayor know that you support paid sick leave! Click here to send a mesage!
|
|
Keep Eastside light rail moving forward!Fuse members overwhelmingly supported light rail on the Eastside and are ready to campaign for it. People in Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Renton, Seattle, and dozens of other cities will benefit from this critical transit hub. And taking thousands of cars off the road every day will lead to healthier neighborhoods for all of us. Click here to sign our petition to the Bellevue City Council telling them to keep our communities moving forward with light rail!
|
 |
Tell Rob McKenna: Not in Washington!Attorney General Rob McKenna called unionization of teachers, firefighters, and other public employees unnecessary and “dangerous.” And last year he tried to block a voter-approved minimum wage increase. McKenna is the poster child for union busting conservatives and big corporations here in Washington, and his clear goal is to be our next governor. Click here to sign our petition calling on Rob McKenna to stop attacking working families!
|
 |
LivingGreedy: The best deals on closing tax loopholes, guaranteedWe’ve launched a fun new website called LivingGreedy.com to turn the table on greedy special interests, and to show exactly which essential services we could save by closing their loopholes.
|
|
How are we doing? Take our survey!2010 has been quite a year. As we develop our plans and priorities for 2011, we want to know what you’d like to see us do in the upcoming year, and would like your feedback on what we’ve done well and what we can improve on. |
Share this:
Coming soon: NY marriage equality vote!
What has HRC done for me lately?
NY – HRC delivers unprecedented 25,000 marriage equality postcards to New York lawmakers.
NY – HRC and 100+ volunteers pound pavement for marriage equality in New York over Memorial Day weekend.
US – HRC joins Dept. of Ed. at first ever LGBT youth summit.
US – HRC brings together religious leaders in support of LGBT equality.
US – HRC launches “Father of the Year” campaign. Deadline today!
NC – HRC joins Equality NC to battle anti-gay constitutional amendment.
More Info at www.hrc.org
**************************
ACT
Stop anti-LGBT groups from hijacking a day of prayer!
Texas Governor Rick Perry has invited the governors of all 50 states to join him for “The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis” in Houston. The problem? The event is being sponsored by rabidly hateful anti-LGBT organizations, including the American Family Association (AFA), the International House of Prayer, and TheCall. Tell your governor to reject this hateful event! http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=fO1Uq22NpdeoyAYGih29_w..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUPPORT
Help us cross the finish line in New York! http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=2K8UWT29anMnPjSNzwGhCg..
Things are coming down to the wire in New York – and we’re pulling out all the stops to pass a marriage equality bill. Our campaign is running on all cylinders – but we need your help to get the message out with one last major advertising push that will help persuade undecided lawmakers and their constituents around New York.
http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=C17sX9Wrbf4tkFYH7a_tJA..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS
* House lawyers step up defense of DOMA
*Sen. Armed Services Cmte. considers Defense bill; DADT repeal-delaying amendments may be offered
*Civil unions take effect in Illinois
*CDC finds LGBT students at greater risk for unhealthy behaviors
*White House launches LGBT web page
*Openly-gay judicial nominee receives Senate hearing
*Nevada passes new transgender housing protections
Sponsor Spotlight …
AA.com/rainbow
As you are making summer travel plans, consider flying with American Airlines, the longtime official airline of HRC and a Platinum National Corporate Partner. When you book, make sure to enter the HRC Business ExtrAA number in addition to your personal AAdvantage number and we will both get valuable credit for the flight. The Business ExtrAA number is 527567.
Full list of National Corporate Partners »http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=0kSZxUul4k1KxOokXUaq8Q..
Be a Seed for Change 
You must be logged in to post a comment.