Tag Archives: United States

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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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

No more shootings, no more hate


Hi,
In the wake of the mass shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Tucson, we must end the violent rhetoric that has exploded in American politics over the past two years.

That’s why I signed this petition calling on every member of Congress, as well as the major TV news networks, to put an end to any overt or implied appeals to violence in our political debate.

Can you join me at the link below?

http://pol.moveon.org/debatenothate/?r_by=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&rc=confemail

Can you also take a moment to help spread the word and share this important petition with others?

Even if you don’t usually email petitions around, this is a time to make an exception. We must speak out now to end the extreme and violent rhetoric that is spreading in American politics to ensure that this does not happen again.

Thanks for all you do.
Thanks!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Obama’s speech last night


Last night President Obama spoke powerfully about what happened in Arizona.

We were struck by the incredibly strong reaction our friends and family had to the speech, so we’re passing it along in case you missed it:

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Kat, Nita, Steven, and the rest of the team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

RepoWer America …


No doubt about it: Information and truth are powerful tools. Armed with them, there’s almost nothing we can’t do.

But for a lot of reasons, information can be hidden, or distorted. That can make it hard to see the truth, even though it’s always still right there in front of us. This can be especially true when it comes to the climate crisis.

This is where Repower America comes in. I’m Josh Nelson, and I’m the Repower America New Media Director. I believe in the powerful role that online tools like blogs can play in exposing the truth about the climate crisis and what it’s doing to our planet, and I’d like to introduce you to the Repower Blog.

Meant to be a resource for people who want to know the facts about the climate crisis, over the past few months, we’ve really kicked our Repower Blog into high gear. As we begin to make decisions about what content we will post in 2011, I’d like to get your thoughts. Check out the Repower America Blog and share your thoughts by leaving a note in the comments.

http://acp.repoweramerica.org/repowerblog

On the Repower Blog you can find stats on clean energy solutions and talking points on the latest climate science. You can share posts with other climate voices across the Repower America community — and help us tell a story about positive action to address the climate crisis that’s already happening across the United States, even if it’s not happening in Washington yet.

But more than anything, our blog is about you — and we want your input. What would you like to see us blog more about in the future? We’ve just posted an open thread on the blog to gather your ideas — please visit it now and share your thoughts:

http://acp.repoweramerica.org/repowerblog

After you comment, take a look through some of our recent posts. To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, our posts are divided into the following categories:

Click on any of the categories above to explore our previous posts.

The Repower Blog is a chance for all of us to shine a light on the truth about the climate crisis. The more you contribute to it, the more powerful it can be. The truth is a powerful thing.

Thanks for all that you do.

Josh Nelson
Director of Online Communications and New Media
Repower America
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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.