Tag Archives: Same-sex marriage

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NOM Exposed: A Facebook Swarm -from Kevin Nix


A door just opened, one that allows all of us to further expose and challenge the homophobia of the National Organization for Marriage.

You may have heard about Louis Marinelli, NOM’s online strategist who recently resigned because he supports marriage equality. He took all of the organization’s 290,000 Facebook fans with him. They’ve just begun to rebuild a Facebook fan base from scratch.

Here’s where you come in. If everyone on this list – after holding your nose – friended NOM, pro-equality supporters would outnumber NOM’s current anti-equality supporters 6 to 1.

But you know what would really make an impact? Leave a comment on NOM’s Facebook posts. Let’s saturate their page with positive, fact-based pro-equality messages. Some suggestions:

-Marriage for gays and lesbians will do nothing to religious freedom. Houses of worship will continue to decide whether they want to recognize gay marriages, or not. We’re talking about committed gay and lesbian couples going down to city hall to get married.

-Gay couples want to make the public commitment of marriage – and be held accountable for that commitment .

-Credible polls show a majority of American Catholics actually support marriage for gay and lesbian couples. People in the pews do not necessarily agree with the Catholic hierarchy.

You can get more ideas for comments in our “Fact” section of NOMExposed.org. But – please – don’t leave personal, ad hominem attacks. Don’t let them drag you into the gutter. No tit for tat. That gets us nowhere. We need elevated, positive conversation.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=5k_xjG_BkXX9ISoCeENCgQ..

One last thing. The fight for marriage in New York is heating up. While HRC and other LGBT groups just launched a new campaign in New York. NOM has too and is trying to mobilize its people. If you live in New York State, become a NY NOMWatcher. We need more eyes and ears on the ground and online.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/R?i=4anDOjLLVetvFWAvD1fd8g..

As always, thanks for your interest and engagement.

Kevin Nix

Director, NOM Project

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a message from Joe Solmonese …Our enemies are relentless – we need your help


You can be a leader in helping us defend critical victories in the fight for equality. All it will take is 67 cents a day – less than the cost of a candy bar or a bottle of water.

An end to the hateful Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Critical protections for same-sex couples. Constant pressure on Congress – and unyielding work to secure lasting marriage equality in state after state.

Will you be one of the select few – the HRC Partners – who don’t just join these fights, but lead our movement to victory?

By midnight tonight, HRC needs 100 people like you to take their support to the next level with a monthly gift

Why give monthly?

www.hrc.org

•It’s easy on your budget, and it goes a long way. Most of us don’t think twice about keeping the lights on or the car insured – aren’t fundamental rights just as essential?

•The enemy is relentless, shameless, and animated by hatred. A Congress elected to tackle economic issues has set its sights on defending discrimination at any cost. It takes steady resources to fight back with national grassroots pressure, direct lobbying, public education programs, and hard-hitting media campaigns.

•Monthly giving is the right wing‘s bread and butter. We need to match our opponents – gift for gift, dollar for dollar. Or, to put it a finer point on it, for every 67 cents they pour in, we must do the same. These are the critical funds we use to counter right-wing lies and push back assaults on equality – all at a moment’s notice.

That’s why we need you to become an HRC Partner by midnight TONIGHT and claim your eco-friendly tote as a thank-you gift.

Now’s not the time to relent – we can’t afford to give one inch back to the radical right. Take the next step with us, and help us ensure we don’t.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese

President

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Beat an anti-gay Democrat in New Jersey …information from DFA


I’ve noticed something when talking to Democratic legislators about marriage equality: They’re afraid that they’ll lose reelection if they vote for equality, but they’re not afraid they’ll lose if they vote against it.

They’ll tell me that they think voting for marriage equality is the right thing to do, but all too often they vote “No” because it’s easier.

It’s disgusting.

A lot of folks are thinking of 2012 as the big election year, but there’s actually elections going on in a lot of places this year — including in New Jersey, where one local DFA member is challenging an anti-gay Democrat for State Senate.

Jeff Gardner has been working to elect progressive Democrats up and down the ballot across New Jersey for years — and now he’s a progressive Democratic candidate himself.

Please join me in supporting Jeff’s people-powered campaign and contribute $10 to beat an anti-gay Democrat right now.   http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/613?akid=647.1480546.RddnWi&t=1

Listen, I know you don’t live in New Jersey, but trust me when I tell you that Democratic legislators in other states are watching this race. They know that Jeff’s opponent — anti-gay State Sen. John Girgenti, who is part of the Senate Democratic Leadership — is an entrenched incumbent. And they know that if Jeff wins, it’ll open the floodgates for pro-marriage grassroots candidates across New Jersey and other states across the country.

Let’s send all those Democrats who are watching a message: You can’t vote against equality and get away with it.

Contribute $10 now to help a progressive beat a conservadem in the primary.

This will be a tough race against an entrenched incumbent backed by a powerful political machine — but people power done right can beat anything. Contribute today to make it happen.

http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/613?akid=647.1480546.RddnWi&t=2

-Arshad

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director

Democracy for America

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It’s simply not right … a message from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand


Last year I helped lead the effort to overturn “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and I’m thrilled that very soon, LGBT Americans will be able to serve openly in our armed forces. This is a big victory for equality, but there’s still so far we have yet to go.

I believe every American should be able to marry the person they love. Yet in 1996, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (or DOMA) codified the discriminatory notion that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

DOMA denies same-sex couples the basic privileges enjoyed by straight couples, and prevents state-approved legal marriages from being recognized across the country.

This is wrong.

If we are to achieve full marriage equality for all, Congress must repeal DOMA now.

That’s why I’m proud to partner with Democracy for America to make sure the repeal of DOMA becomes a reality.

http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/561?akid=577.1480546.tmfy-d&t=1

Recently, President Obama ordered the Justice Department to stop defending DOMA in federal court. This is a huge first step, but the fact is that as long as DOMA remains on the books it will continue to be enforced until Congress repeals it legislatively.

Tomorrow, I will join Senator Feinstein as we introduce DOMA repeal legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Can I count on you to join us on the frontlines of this fight?

Please sign here to join the fight for marriage equality by urging Congress to repeal this discriminatory and unconstitutional law. >> http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/561?akid=577.1480546.tmfy-d&t=2

It’s simply not right that my husband and I should be able to enjoy rights and privileges that LGBT Americans are denied.

Thank you for everything you do to ensure marriage equality for all Americans,

– Kirsten

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Rhode Island ruled by a democratic Mayor & Gov. -using walker tactics?


Taveras Applauds New Contract for Westin Providence Workers

Union employees overwhelmingly ratified a new, three-year contract that reverses layoffs and pay cuts, and provides job security to nearly 175 workers

http://cityof.providenceri.com/mayor/taveras-applauds-new-contract-for-westin

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Message from Mayor Taveras on Teacher Dismissal Notices

The School Department has issued dismissal notices to all public school teachers in Providence, in accordance with a State law requiring that teachers be notified about potential changes to their employment status by March 1.

http://cityof.providenceri.com/mayor/message-from-mayor-taveras-on-teacher-dismissal

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Gov of Rhode Island

02/25/2011

Rhode Island One of Nine States to Receive Competitive National Grant for Work Support Strategies

The Urban Institute has announced that Rhode Island is among nine states selected to receive a $250,000 planning grant as part of a five-year initiative with lead funding from the Ford Foundation. The purpose of this one-year grant is to enable planning for more effective, streamlined, and…

http://www.ri.gov/press/view/13278

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02/24/11

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee to Travel to Washington, D.C. for National Governors Association Winter Meeting

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee will travel to Washington, D.C. Saturday for the National Governors Association’s NGA Winter Meeting. The annual event, which is attended by Governors from the U.S. states, commonwealths, and territories, will take place Saturday, February 26 through Monday,… http://www.ri.gov/press/view/13273  

02/24/2011

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Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Hosts Healthcare Discussion on Strategies to Improve RI Healthcare for Employers, Employees and Providers

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today hosted a discussion at the State House focused on achieving an affordable, high-quality healthcare system in Rhode Island that benefits businesses and promotes economic development while helping all residents of the state. “Our goal is providing access to… http://www.ri.gov/press/view/13275