We Won!!!!!!!!!!

[Zerbie]

WE DID IT!!!! WE WON IN ARIZONA!!!!

Arizona defeated Prop 107 - the "marriage" amendment - by approximately 30,000 votes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Giancarlo]

Yet in SEVEN other states, gay marriage bans were approved, and the Senate is now deadlocked. Hollow victory of the sorts for me, as I have no confidence in either party. I guess i'm too negative...

[Daniel]

http://365gay.com/Newscon06/11/110706wrap.htm

(Washington) Democrats swept the House of Representatives on Tuesday, and Arizona became the first state where voters rejected a bid to ban same same-sex marriage in its constitution.

You go girl!!!!!!!!!! All those efforts paid off big time. I am so proud of you- I'm smiling from ear to ear.

This is where the tide starts turning. This is a beacon of hope and a harbinger of things to come. This is absolutely amazingly wonderful.

This is why we need more Zerbie's in the world!

Big hugs and kisses.

:love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:

[BruceChris]

All KINDS Of CONGRATULATIONS!!

Where Do I Send The Stuffed Gay Penguin?

We did get rid of that bogus abortion law in South Dakota

And We Elected Amy Klobuchar, The First Woman Elected To The Senate In Minnesota

Peace and Love, Chris

[Steven E. Webster]

Friends,

The news is not so good from Wisconsin. We tried hard, too, to turn back the marriage amendment, but it passed. We had support from the mainline Protestants (Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans) but the large Roman Catholic vote and the smaller evangelical vote was being steered by their leadership strongly against LGBT persons.

On the other hand, Democrats took control of our State Legislature, and our Democratic incumbent Govenor kept his seat. You may say there is no difference in the parties, but the fact is that the anti-gay amendment in this state was all about the Republican party's desire to extend their control of State government, and they failed. In fact, there strategy may have backfired. The Republicans may have failed because the Amendment brought out progressive voters in large numbers.

I can tell you, with Democrats in control of the U.S. House of Representatives, there won't be any anti-gay Amendments coming out of that house for two years. As long as we can prevent the U.S. Constitution from changing on the "marriage issue," there is hope that some day state level discrimination will be struck down--maybe not soon, but eventually people will regret the Constitutional Amendments that they passed last night.

Steven Webster

[pnggrad79]

For the first time in my life, I voted Democrat. I am from Texas and was so disheartened by the same sex marriage ban voted on in 2005 that I was sick of Rick Perry and his anti-gay policies. He won again yesterday, but we had a lot of Democratic seats taken and that is good news. On the national level, I am hoping that at least no more anti-gay agendas will pass, but I am not so optomistic. But hey, congratulations to Arizona!!! That is fantastic. I wish it was Texas! Hey I wouldn't mind at all living in AZ!!!

It all comes down to this-if we ever want to see equality for the LGBT people of this country, we are going to have to get off our apathetic butts and do something about it. Equality is something this country was founded on in principle, but in practice it has been fought for at a great price, and not something we can always count on. Anti gay legislation is blatantly unconstitutional and un-American. Maybe someday we will see equality for everyone.:rainbow: :rainbow: :rainbow: :rainbow:

[Lydia]

Very cool, Zerbie.

[Lydia]

We did get rid of that bogus abortion law in South Dakota


And more good news.

I think the tide is (slowly) turning.:tup:

[Vanessa White]

We CANNOT discount the fact that the upset in Arizona on that Marriage Proposition was most likely a result of the hard work of a group of INDIVIDUALS, like Zerbie, working for change. When we think our efforts don't make a difference, we see that, at times, they do. Good work, Zerbie. You should feel pride at this GREAT accomplishment. Here in PA, Santorum for all of his harsh, inappropriate words about gay persons, IS GONE.
Amen!!!!:) :) :D :D

[keltic63]

We CANNOT discount the fact that the upset in Arizona on that Marriage Proposition was most likely a result of the hard work of a group of INDIVIDUALS, like Zerbie, working for change. When we think our efforts don't make a difference, we see that, at times, they do. Good work, Zerbie. You should feel pride at this GREAT accomplishment. Here in PA, Santorum for all of his harsh, inappropriate words about gay persons, IS GONE.
Amen!!!!:) :) :D :D


It was so gratifying to step up to that touchscreen and vote against Santorum! I even took a look at the confirm screen so I could enjoy seeing my checkmark beside Casey's name and not Santorum's before I hit the button to register my vote.

I am concerned about the 7 states who voted to ban gay marriage. What work needs to be done there? What can we learn from what has already been done?

[Vanessa White]

Excellent point. Dialoguing with Zerbie and her group about what they did that worked. Their end result speaks for itself, but it would be helpful to look at their actions toward the result vs. what some groups did in the other states. Keltic, do you know offhand how many states now have bans on gay marriage on the books?

[kara speltz]

Congratulations Zerbie. You folks worked hard. Arizona was the only state to not compitulate to the religious right in terms of the ban on gays this time. I know you must be feeling exhausted and proud as well you should.

kara

[Dash]

Ahh...is that the scent of optimism in the air?! :)

Yes, Congrats to Zerbie and AZ for the good labor and its encouraging result.

And a good Liberty Day to all!! :applause: :magic: :weee: :agree:

[Giancarlo]

I really have no confidence in either party and I view this as a "hollow victory" if it is that at all. I am pleased, however, of the way things went in California. I'm very pleased that Props 85-90 failed.

[Zerbie]

There were indeed a few individuals who made specific difference - like our campaign chairs Kyrsten Sinema and Steve May - who were responsible for devising a winning strategy. The only questions were, would we have the funding and the volunteer power, to carry that strategy out?

I am beyond exhausted. I feel wonderful and terrible at the same time.

Hafta go someplace now, but if anyone's interested I can come back later with more details about the campaign, and my god! How I wish you all could have been there with us at our Victory Party last night!!!!!!!

One of our local gay news magazines had already designed the cover for our WE WON! victory issue, which was held up for the cameras while the crowd chanted, "First in the nation!!" I completely broke down in sobs of joy.

[dewdrop_world]

I am concerned about the 7 states who voted to ban gay marriage. What work needs to be done there? What can we learn from what has already been done?

I too was pleased to see Santorum bite the dust.

Perhaps we can discuss the 7 states question in this thread?

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1514

James

[DColeman]

I guess I should have posted it to this thread, but I posted to General Chat. Oops.

Rick Santorum is gone from the Senate, but Michelle Bachman was elected to the House by MY district. Bachman is more dangerous than Santorum ever was, because she's articulate and smart.

And she's sooooo anti-gay. 2 years will go by before she can dent us with a bill, but she'll try passing one against us eventually. Maybe two. Maybe three.

She sure tried hard in Minnesota.

-David

[scott snedeker]

Focus on the victory today!

and look forward to a kinder world tomorrow!

Anticipate the progress to come!

Frustration with the present now becomes hoping!

Then hoping now becomes believing we will see our world change!

When believing becomes Knowing then there is no stopping!

And joy is felt at every step!
Scotty:cowboy:

[BruceChris]

And they have been reporting that European newspaper headlines have been saying such things as "Thank You, America", and "The Nightmare is Over". Of course, they are referring mainly to the arrogance, incompetence and corruption of the Republican administration as a whole, but then the Bushie's record on other peoples civil rights ain't so good, either. :eek: :eek:

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[revtj]

OK, Madame Speaker said she's not going after revenge. That's good.

But I believe we MUST address the torture issue with a resounding NO. We must hold W & Co. accountable on this for the good of all humanity.

We let Nixon off the hook and the question of the executive branch being above the law has lingered. Now we must answer it as a nation and a planet.

Address. not a dress.

[Giancarlo]

The democratic party needs to be careful and not try to take revenge. This will damage the support they received this election. I also know that the "majority" they have in the Senate is only marginal. The democrats in my mind are just as bad as the republicans and I have consistently REFUSED to support either party. I cannot support a party that would swiftly stab me in the back if it was politically convenient for them. Going after anyone and impeaching them is just not appropriate at this time nor is it mature. I do not like Bush, but this is not the way to do things. And I side with Nancy Pelosi on that one.

The only person who has some sense in this country is the governor, we Californians overwhelmingly re-elected.

[tdogg]

Zerbie, I want to congratulate you on a job most excellently done. You put a lot of blood sweat and tears into that campaign and it has paid off. I do feel optimistic and feel this is a sort of beginning for all of us. I want to give you my heartfelt thanks and gratitude - the work and emotion you have put into this is not only affecting those in Arizona, but all of us around the country. Thanks for everything you have done and are doing. You make me proud to call you friend.

I'm not a huge fan of politicians - of any party. I'm a registered non-partisan; however, as a lesbian woman, feel justice, equality and freedom are better met by a democratic majority than republican. I'm not a fan of the most recent republican regime, either in Washington DC or CA. Having been personally attacked by the California governor (as a state worker, Arnold has made repeated attemps to not only take away benefits that I have worked very hard for in my long-time state career, but also F-up my pension, steal pension funds and generally make a mess out of state employment - thank goodness for CSEA as weak as it is, and that FINALLY this year state employees banded together and voted with a vast majority willing to strike if he continued his attack!!). I work hard for CA citizens who pay my salary, I give well more than 100% at the workplace, my job literally helps to save Californians more money than they could even imagine in fraud fighting efforts. To have my benefits and pension threatened by someone who should have respect and pride in the work I do for 'his' state is unthinkable.

Maybe the props were not passed, but it appears the fine citizens of our state don't mind putting us in HUGE debt by passing billions and billions of dollars in propositions that are poorly written at best, and most likely will not begin to serve their intended purpose - they rarely ever do.

All that said, I still love my state and feel the LGBT community could have it much worse here than it actually is. Meanwhile, persistence and patience will lead to much progress. And I hadn't heard until now, but SO GLAD that SD abortion crap did not fly. YEAH!

Tdogg

[Giancarlo]

Having been personally attacked by the California governor (as a state worker, Arnold has made repeated attemps to not only take away benefits that I have worked very hard for in my long-time state career, but also F-up my pension, steal pension funds and generally make a mess out of state employment - thank goodness for CSEA as weak as it is, and that FINALLY this year state employees banded together and voted with a vast majority willing to strike if he continued his attack!!). I work hard for CA citizens who pay my salary, I give well more than 100% at the workplace, my job literally helps to save Californians more money than they could even imagine in fraud fighting efforts. To have my benefits and pension threatened by someone who should have respect and pride in the work I do for 'his' state is unthinkable.

Arnold has admitted he has made mistakes, but he generally is taking this state in the correct direction. THIS IS PRODUCING RESULTS, including, economic growth.

As far as the LGBT community is concerned, Arnold has signed an equity tax law that has provided equal benefits for gay and lesbian couples, and has also signed an equal insurance law (and some other LGBT positive bills if I remember). I agree with the way things are being handled by Arnold, and I feel he has taken the state on, generally, the correct direction. I do not agree with everything he has done, but in general, he has done a better job then the democrat before him. And finally, I would not support someone who is anti-gay.

I campaigned for him at my campus, and I AM DAMN PROUD AT THE JOB I HAVE DONE. And as a libertarian, I am for an effective, government and governor. I view Arnold as pragmatic and practical, which is something Angelides never was.

Again, I may seem like I'm taking this personally, but I'm not. I'm just a little distraught that someone would launch unfair attacks on him like that. Maybe next time the democrats could produce someone a bit better then Angelides. Maybe someone who has some integrity and some decency, and isn't so mind numbingly corrupt.

Maybe the props were not passed, but it appears the fine citizens of our state don't mind putting us in HUGE debt by passing billions and billions of dollars in propositions that are poorly written at best, and most likely will not begin to serve their intended purpose - they rarely ever do.

This is why Props 85-90 did not pass (because they were poorly written). Nonetheless, I think Props 1A-1E were necessary to repair infrastructure. Like it or not, I don't think you know enough about 1A-1E. These propositions were in fact necessary, and I would say required, to repair crumbling infrastructure. They would pay themselves off with increased revenues from increased economic growth.

I'm glad Arnold got re-elected, and I will continue to support him in any future political career he makes (maybe he'll make a run for Senate).

[tdogg]

So Giancarlo if someone disagrees with you, they just don't know enough? That's how your posts come across to me. Perhaps not your intent, but my perception and my perception is my reality. Anyway, I didn't attack Arnold, however he has attacked me as a state employee. If you don't understand that, then perhaps you aren't that well informed regarding his moves to take away pay, benefits and pensions of hard working state employees. I now enough about the props to know that we are about to go BILLIONS in debt and I have no confidence that anything real will get done. If past practices continue, it will be barren at best. However, the majority of Californians agreed with you so they have spoken. Only provided my opinions which is no less valid than yours is to you.

Giancarlo, You should be proud of the work you put into this, I'm sure you put a lot into it. Hopefully you haven't taken my opinion as a personal attack on your elected gov or on you, it's just my thoughts, opinion and experience. I agree that Arnold has changed a bit this year on a lot of stances. But I don't think he's altogether TOO friendly to LGBTs; however, like I said in my earlier post it could be a LOT worse in this state. I think we have it better than most, not perfect, but better. Baby steps I guess. The tax thing was great, but he has vetoed several bills that would have benefited us much. Let's see what he does in the next 4 years. Hopefully he won't change back to where he was last year. Time will tell.

[Giancarlo]

So Giancarlo if someone disagrees with you, they just don't know enough? That's how your posts come across to me. Perhaps not your intent, but my perception and my perception is my reality. Anyway, I didn't attack Arnold, however he has attacked me as a state employee. If you don't understand that, then perhaps you aren't that well informed regarding his moves to take away pay, benefits and pensions of hard working state employees. I now enough about the props to know that we are about to go BILLIONS in debt and I have no confidence that anything real will get done. If past practices continue, it will be barren at best. However, the majority of Californians agreed with you so they have spoken. Only provided my opinions which is no less valid than yours is to you.

Very well. I guess I came off as harsh. I spent countless hours promoting Arnold, and passing out flyers to re-elect him because HE HAS DONE GOOD FOR THIS STATE, and he has done far more then his predecessor when it comes to the LGBT community. He didn't attack you as a state employee. He attacked the bureaucracy as it is squeezing this state. Too much is being stacked in debt because of the bloated state bureaucracy. Yes, I am attacking the bureaucracy because like Arnold, I'm a bit of a libertarian.

I know plenty about the props to know that Props 1A-1E will be beneficial and will pay themselves off.

Giancarlo, You should be proud of the work you put into this, I'm sure you put a lot into it. Hopefully you haven't taken my opinion as a personal attack on your elected gov or on you, it's just my thoughts, opinion and experience. I agree that Arnold has changed a bit this year on a lot of stances. But I don't think he's altogether TOO friendly to LGBTs; however, like I said in my earlier post it could be a LOT worse in this state. I think we have it better than most, not perfect, but better. Baby steps I guess. The tax thing was great, but he has vetoed several bills that would have benefited us much. Let's see what he does in the next 4 years. Hopefully he won't change back to where he was last year. Time will tell.

I never took it as a personal attack as I highlighted with the bold statements. Arnold has done a lot, and he has done a lot for the LGBT community (he may have vetoed one, but he has done again more then the democratic party has done for this state). No one is perfect, but we certainly are doing quite fine here. I am proud to see that he has endorsed quite a few LGBT bills. He could not endorse every one because he needed the support of his base. He has passed more bills however, then he has vetoed.

[BruceChris]

OK, Madame Speaker said she's not going after revenge. That's good.

Common sense MORE than covers it.

And Giancarlo, I have to see Ahhnold as all to much a self-serving, and occasionally backstabbing politicain who is mainly interested in polishing his own image.

P&L, BC

[Beth K. Eyres]

Since Zerbie last posted on the win in AZ, the votes are still being counted. On election day 107 failed by about 30,000 votes. Now there are about 51,000 votes against it. It's very cool to see the margin continue to grow, rather than shrink.

[rainbowdog]

I am glad one state has some sense. Down here in Alabama it is not looking too good! We will probably be the last state to have GBLT rights. Alabama is so backwards it is not even funny. Just pray for us GBLT folks in AL.


Peace,
Christy

[Zerbie]

Thanks Christie!

You may be right about Alabama.

The victory here in AZ is bittersweet - what swayed many voters (and we don't know HOW many of them, but presumably a lot) was the fact that they were made aware of how the amendment affects unmarried straight couples. That was a decisive factor for many, who otherwise wouldn't have cared about its impact on gay couples.

Nevertheless, it was a cruel amendment with sweeping repercussions within and without the gay community - no one should have health insurance taken away by popular vote - and we prevented that. So I'm incredibly glad and relieved.