Tag Archives: Same-sex marriage

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Mark and Dante just married,and they need your help


Last month, members Mark Reed-Walkup and Dante Walkup got married in Washington, D.C., where same-sex marriage is legal. After their wedding, they couldn’t wait to get home to Texas and share the joy with their Dallas community.

Unfortunately, the Dallas Morning News didn’t share their sentiments — turns out the paper refuses to print gay wedding announcements in its Wedding section.

Mark and Dante are fighting back. Join them in telling the Dallas Morning News to print same-sex wedding announcements in its Weddings section.

As Mark told Change.org: “Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness about how this is blatant discrimination and send a clear message to the Dallas Morning News and news outlets around the country.” Together, we’re planning to do just that.

Sign the petition today to tell the Dallas Morning News to print same-sex wedding announcements:

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/hey_dallas_morning_news_same-sex_marriage_announcements_belong_in_the_weddings_section?alert_id=cinvxWkIEa_PNWFqjgevG&me=aa

Thanks for taking action,

Eden and the Change.org Team

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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.

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Marriage on the line: 24 hours left to fight hate


Thanks to right-wing groups like the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), 2011 brings as much trepidation as hope. Just see the map below.

JUST 24 HOURS LEFT: The National Organization for Marriage thinks it speaks for straight America.

Show America that’s a lie.

Deadline TOMORROW. Defend marriage equality – join HRC now.

Same-sex marriage bans are in the works in no fewer than five states. In New Hampshire, where NOM shelled out $1 million in 2010, a more right-wing legislature is already preparing for major hearings on the repeal of marriage equality. In Iowa, NOM helped unseat three judges who ruled in favor of equal marriage – and now they’re going after the other four.

But it’s not all bad. In New York and Maryland, we could finally win full marriage rights for ALL loving couples. There are only 24 hours left in our campaign that can help us make it a reality.

These challenges – and our critical federal work – demand urgent resources. Carmen, thousands have stepped up to help. And after sailing past our original goal of 2,011 new members, we’ve upped our goal to 3,000 members by TOMORROW. That’s only 4 more from Washington. And we simply can’t do it without straight supporters like you.

Stand up for marriage and make sure NOM doesn’t control the debate. Stand with HRC – join by tomorrow.

Only two weeks ago, HRC staffers pressured NOM into releasing their most recent tax returns – and it turns out 75 percent of NOM’s entire multi-million dollar budget came from just five wealthy donors.

We’re different. 85 percent of our funding comes from individual donors, not from foundations or grants. And the more straight allies like you that join our cause, the more people will understand that this is an issue of basic fairness, not special rights. That grassroots power will be critical in 2011, and this map shows why:

In states marked in light blue, we have a chance to advance equality – marriage in New York and Maryland, and civil unions in Hawaii, Delaware, and Colorado. Plus we are gearing up to help Washington and Oregon achieve marriage equality in 2012.

Dark blue states show the front lines of the equality fight. In Florida we’re trying to stop rabid activists from reinstating a ban on same-sex parents adopting children. In West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Minnesota, we face the very real prospect of NOM-backed campaigns to pass constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.

We’re working hand-in-hand with local partners across the country. We’re putting staff on the ground in some states, while in others we’re providing financial support and training – or exposing lies with the help of our “NOM Watchers.” In many states, we’ll do all of the above.

These states have one thing in common: your support, right now, can mean the difference between triumph and failure.

Stand with us. Fight for the future. Become an HRC member now.

This is one of the most critical civil rights issues of our time. Decisions by the U.S. House and Senate and by every single state will have a very real impact on everyday lives. Together, we can ensure those decisions are positive.

For all you do, and all that you will do, thank you. You’re the reason I know we will succeed.

Onward,

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.

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President Obama: Support marriage equality for all


Human Rights Campaign

Mr. President, it’s time for you to support marriage equality for all Americans

The President has said that his thinking on the issue is “evolving.”

Help get him over the finish line.

President Obama has done more for the nation’s LGBT community than any other president in history, from hate crimes protections to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” to hospital visitation rules. This president has proven himself to be an advocate for the LGBT community.

He’s a fair and just man. That’s why we’re calling on him today to publicly and vocally support marriage equality for all Americans.

Earlier today, the Department of Justice filed a brief appealing two federal court rulings that found the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. The Administration claims that it has a duty to defend the laws that are on the books. We simply do not agree. At the very least, the Justice Department can and should acknowledge that the law is unconstitutional.

All families deserve the recognition and respect of their government. It’s time for President Obama to state his support for full, equal marriage. And we want your help in telling him that it’s time.

Because of DOMA, gay and lesbian families with marriage licenses from Iowa, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, California, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia don’t get basic protections like Social Security, pension benefits, and family medical leave – benefits of marriage available to all other married couples. The law is discriminatory and unjust.

The President’s clear and unequivocal support for marriage equality will be a very powerful message that all Americans should be treated fairly and with respect and dignity. It will also send a direct message to LGBT Americans, young and old, that their nation values them.

President Obama has already stated his position on marriage is “evolving.” And he’s already seen the outpouring of support for his successful call to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Let’s help him get over the finish line.

Together, we can move this president to speak out for the right to marry freely. I hope you’ll take a moment to send your message today.

It’s time,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

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The next Prop. 8


Human Rights Campaign


Calling all straight allies: Marriage equality is at stake in states across America.

Plus, watch our video to learn how we’re working together for equality.

As a thank you, we’ll send you this handy USB car charger for your mobile phone or iPod.

Prop. 8 ended marriage equality in California and shocked a nation. I’m writing because New Hampshire could be next.

Right-wing lawmakers have taken over the New Hampshire legislature – and they’re already working on four distinct bills to take the right to marry away from loving, same-sex couples.

And that’s not all. Hateful groups are trying to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and West Virginia.

Equality is under attack: along with the anti-LGBT wave in the U.S. Congress, 20 state governments are now under the control of conservative legislatures and governors – twice as many as are under more pro-equality leadership.

We have staff on the ground around the country and plans to deploy even more. We’re bolstering state groups, even as we fight against hostile federal bills and amendments. But to make it work, we need 2,011 new members like you – that works out to just 17 more from Washington – to join HRC in the next week. Once you do, we’ll stop sending reminders and get back to the work of securing equality.

You already know what we’re defending against in our nation’s capital. A U.S. House led by right-wingers. A whopping 53 more anti-equality representatives and five more anti-equality senators in Congress.

But the front line in the battle for marriage equality is in the states. Conservatives now hold more state legislative seats than they have since 1928. Hateful groups like the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) are pushing their agenda in more states than ever before. But there are also some important new opportunities. Your support, right now, could tip the balance.

  • In Maryland and New York, we stand a strong chance of winning real marriage equality and gender identity protections. We’re counting on the support of each and every HRC member to aid our local partners and to help pay for several experienced organizers in each state.
  • In Florida, right-wing hate groups are plotting to overturn a landmark court ruling that allows gays and lesbians to adopt children. We can’t let it happen – and we’re working with coalition partners to make sure those extremists don’t come anywhere close.
  • In New Hampshire, where your support was key to winning marriage equality in 2009, we’re fighting back against those who want to repeal that right and deny loving couples the freedom to marry. We’ve already committed money and staff, and we’re working with the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition to build a rock-solid campaign.
  • In Hawaii and Delaware, passing civil union legislation is a very real possibility. We’ll be investing in both states to bolster local groups’ efforts and tip the balance in favor of equality.
  • In Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia or any state where NOM tries to pass a constitutional ban on equal marriage, we’ll be there, exposing their lies with the help of our local “NOM Watchers.”

Just as we did with the successful campaign to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” we’re always working with leaders in both parties to achieve progress on equal rights. But we won’t ever shy away from taking on new legislators who are beholden to the most conservative wing of the Republican Party – and straight, pro-equality Americans like you are a critical part of that effort.

LGBT and straight, young and old, of all backgrounds and beliefs, HRC members aren’t satisfied with just sitting back and watching what happens. They’re willing to step up and fuel this fight for equality.

In 2011, as state battles heat up and a hostile House of Representatives plays politics with our rights, we’re going to need more members, more strength, and more resolve. State legislatures are already in session; we need you now.

Congress. State capitols. Schools. Churches. Corporate headquarters. Wherever equality and acceptance are at stake, HRC is at work – and HRC members are leading the charge.

Thank you for everything,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

P.S. I’m so grateful if you’ve already put a check in the mail or given to HRC through some other method. If you’ve yet to contribute, though, Your gift is critical to maintaining our fight against hate and bigotry in all its forms.