Help Arizona defeat another 'marriage amendment'

[Zerbie]

The Arizona State House of Representatives passed the new, revised marriage amendment today. It will go to the Senate, and if (when) it passes the Senate, it will be on Arizona's 2008 ballot.

You can read more about it on the websites of Equality Arizona, or on the site of our adversaries, the Center for Arizona Policy, who are responsible for this amendment (and the one we defeated in 2006 as well.)

Please pray for couples and families in Arizona.

Our equality organizations are right now raising funds to conduct polling of voters in order to identify a winning campaign strategy.
If you can help us with pennies, please do so here:
https://secure.ga4.org/01/1in1000

[Zerbie]

Here's the local coverage, complete with reader comments:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...ex0512-ON.html

[pnggrad79]

Oh Zerb,
I hope AZ doesn't even put this retarded thing on the ballot and if they do, I hope it is defeated by a wide margin. Surely, Arizonians are more fair and justice minded than to legislate discrimination like this. (Like Texas!!!!ahem) Anyway, I will be praying for its defeat, and what can I in this backward state do to help?

[Zerbie]

Thank you, PNG!

I certainly hope we defeat it (again.) It is very similar to the one we defeated 2 years ago, only this time, it takes out the language referring to "status for unmarried persons that is similar to that of marriage."

You can certainly help by praying, and by spreading the word. Take every opportunity to tell equality supporters what is going on in AZ, since you never know when someone might have a friend in this area who might get involved, or when someone might donate some pennies to our campaign fund.

Speaking of pennies, if you are in a position to afford a financial contribution, even $10, please click the link in the original post and make a donation to Equality Arizona.

Thanks so much!

[Steven E. Webster]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Thank you, PNG!

I certainly hope we defeat it (again.) It is very similar to the one we defeated 2 years ago, only this time, it takes out the language referring to "status for unmarried persons that is similar to that of marriage."

That's the big danger, isn't it? They've taken out the language that caused a lot of your "shacked-up" heterosexual retirees to vote against it the last time around.

Steven Webster

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Steven E. Webster

That's the big danger, isn't it? They've taken out the language that caused a lot of your "shacked-up" heterosexual retirees to vote against it the last time around.

Steven Webster

Yes, they took out the clause that gave us the leverage to appeal to the majority. Now it only targets same sex couples. A lot of people who voted against it made that decision based on the fact that the amendment penalized straight couples. When I "lobbied" AZ voters, many of them were tuning me out until they heard me say "unmarried straight couples will lose protections." And after the election, one of my friends said "Of course I voted no! It would have affected *normal* couples, too!"

So, yes, knowing that was how we got our numbers opposed, the CAP has re-introduced a marriage amendment targeting only gays/lesbians/trans. This may give them a numerical advantage.

Luckily,, our previous campaign actions swayed the percentage points in favor of marriage equality in AZ. When our first campaign began, about 30% of AZ voters favored equality. I can't recall the final number, but by the time we voted on Prop 107, we had increased our percentage of equality supporters just by fighting the first proposition. Question is, in about 3 years, can we increase that percentage by more than 20? (That's why I was so gung-ho about having a good 7 Straight Nights turnout in Arizona - anticipating the CAP bringing another marriage amendment out of the woodwork, I wanted us to have a good, visible, organized, and expanded support base ready in case they did - we need straights to vote NO on this one or we lose. I think John in Tucson was thinking the same thing, as we both took strong stands theming our vigils around marriage equality and equal value for all families.)

Still. Fighting back on a 'gay couples only' marriage ban will be a lot harder than the one we fought before.

So, send us some help!!! If you can, donate to Equality (first post above) so they can do professional polling to determine our campaign message.

[Gennee]

Hi, Zerb. I just e-mailed a couple of friends about prop 102. We'll see what we can do here in NY. Will help all I can.

Gennee

[Rick336]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Yeah, the "normal" couples comment caught me totally off guard.

The same thing happens to me sometimes. I have a good friend who's a straight Christian fundamentalist who's cool that I'm gay. But a couple of times I've had to correct him about the term "gay lifestyle". He had no clue that the term is offensive to a lot of gay people. So I explained to him why it was offensive and he stopped saying it.

But other times when people slip up, I sometimes just let it slide because I figure they just don't know any better and it's not out of malice.

Sorry. This got off the subject and I don't want to hijack the thread.

Good luck in Arizona Zerbie and thanks for all you do.

Rick

[Zerbie]

Thank you, Scott! And Gennee! And Rick!

Thanks for bumping, and for following on what's going on here.
IMO this is huge. We defeated the marriage amendment in 06, and now they've forced it back.

They literally had to break the senate rules to force this thing through on the last day of session. An ethics complaint was filed, and I'm not sure what the status is on that, but I believe it is still being looked into.

Meanwhile, we're stuck fighting the amendment at the ballot. I signed up to volunteer, but haven't heard from the campaign.

Since voters have already dealt with a marriage amendment, and there are so many serious issues that need to be dealt with, I hope voters will see this for the distraction it is. Not to mention a horrible waste of taxpayer money putting it on the ballot for a second time.

[Gennee]

Hi, Zerb. My two friends e-mailed me and they are on it. Edrick, one of my friends, is from Arizona so he knows what's happening. I agree that this is huge. I will do all I can to help.

Gennee

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Gennee

Hi, Zerb. My two friends e-mailed me and they are on it. Edrick, one of my friends, is from Arizona so he knows what's happening. I agree that this is huge. I will do all I can to help.

Gennee

Hey Gennee, that's great!

Does your friend already know about the No on Prop 102 website, and Arizona Together? www.aztogether.org

Also, if he's near either Phoenix or Tucson, there are 7 Straight Nights vigil events planned for both of those cities. 7 Straight Nights in Arizona is themed around saying no to divisive ballot initiatives like Prop 102 that divide our community, neighbor against neighbor. Perhaps he would like to attend one of the vigils?
http://www.sevenstraightnights.org

[tdogg]

Originally Posted by Rick336

The same thing happens to me sometimes. I have a good friend who's a straight Christian fundamentalist who's cool that I'm gay. But a couple of times I've had to correct him about the term "gay lifestyle". He had no clue that the term is offensive to a lot of gay people. So I explained to him why it was offensive and he stopped saying it.

It's irritating to me when I hear the term "lifestyle" and all related words and phrases, from none other than our own gay TV channels and magazines. When we stop using the offensive (and incorrect) terminology, then we maybe can expect some progress from non-GLBT people. I try to make a conscientious effort not to use terms that I feel set me back. Not perfect yet - maybe not ever - but hopefully one step at a time we'll convince the others this is NOT a lifestyle 'choice'. AGHHHH!

The fight is on, in Arizona and California. And did I hear something happening in Florida? (Will have to research that but been so busy with school lately!) I believe we have a better chance to defeat our anti-equality measure here in CA than the one in AZ, but I don't think it's a given. Equality's opposition will stop at nothing to use personal prejudices to take away rights and protections of those they don't feel deserve equal treatment. We've go to do all we can to stop their repeated attempts.

I hope this anti-equality effort in AZ will again see defeat and eventually the opposition will give up.

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by tdogg

It's irritating to me when I hear the term "lifestyle" and all related words and phrases, from none other than our own gay TV channels and magazines. When we stop using the offensive (and incorrect) terminology, then we maybe can expect some progress from non-GLBT people. I try to make a conscientious effort not to use terms that I feel set me back. Not perfect yet - maybe not ever - but hopefully one step at a time we'll convince the others this is NOT a lifestyle 'choice'. AGHHHH!

The fight is on, in Arizona and California. And did I hear something happening in Florida? (Will have to research that but been so busy with school lately!) I believe we have a better chance to defeat our anti-equality measure here in CA than the one in AZ, but I don't think it's a given. Equality's opposition will stop at nothing to use personal prejudices to take away rights and protections of those they don't feel deserve equal treatment. We've go to do all we can to stop their repeated attempts.

I hope this anti-equality effort in AZ will again see defeat and eventually the opposition will give up.

I believe one reason many think that being gay is a 'lifestyle" is the image that's projected to the public. It's usually two young hunks looking for action or looking to connect. As a transgender person, many believe that I'm just interested in sex. The public needs to be educated that being gay or transgender is who we are. It's a natural part of us. Above all, we are contributing members of society. This is where the erroneous thinking that these are 'lifestyles' needs to be corrected.

Gennee