There is a movement in Pennsylvania.....

[Zerbie]

Sorry.

sigh - so are they ever going to notice that they are the ones waging an assault?

I bet they're wondering where all these gay activists came from: we spring up in response to their behavior, duh.

Seriously, I owe the depth and breadth of my personal activism to our local anti-gay policy group. Thanks to them, I have become more involved and experienced in gay rights activism than ever before.

[Vanessa White]

Keltic, I hear you. I still see the billboard, as a matter of fact, saw it last night on my way to my private practice. I feel angry, sad, disgusted, frustrated, and probably many more things every time I see the darn thing. Statements that are intentionally inflammatory like that just totally irk me, because they don't send any real message, except a judgmental message. Nothing factual. And there are people that are susceptible to that, I know that is what they bank on. What I am banking on for the movement here in PA is those people who are potential allies, who are sick of the inflammatory stuff, and really aren't opposed to equal marriage at all, or don't have any opinion on it one way or another. That is where we can gain ground, I believe.

[antonyh]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

Okay, curiosity is a good thing, it might even be helpful! I downloaded copies of the revised versions of the amendment and votes from 2006, but not sure that I understand where it stands as far as what voting needs to take place before it goes to citizen vote. I need to read through again, but it seems like it made it through the house once, maybe twice, but not the Senate yet. So we do have some time, not much though......

I also invited all of my friends on Facebook to join, and so far, about 30 of them did so!! I was so happy about that, and will use that as a way to stir up some local support as well.

I'm proud of all of you working on this. I just watched the opposition's videos...not nice.

[tdogg]

First, Vaness and Keltic and Z and everyone else doing something - THANKS!! I love you all!

Next - your thoughts on MySpace and Facebook, is this one way we can be out and get the message out? Maybe that's a new thread....

[keltic63]

I just stopped by the "your answer matters" website and posted a comment on their latest blog entry. I figure they can remove it, or it can stay there for all to see. I've been polite, but firm, when I post there.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by keltic63

I just stopped by the "your answer matters" website and posted a comment on their latest blog entry. I figure they can remove it, or it can stay there for all to see. I've been polite, but firm, when I post there.

How frustrating. I have never been able to locate this blog everyone keeps referring to. Where the heck is it??

[Vanessa White]

Zerb: I get to the website by going to youranswermatters.com. Then, you can go directly to their blog, and if you click on the blog titles to the left side of the page and then post a comment, or read comments.

I read keltic's comment, and he is always respectful, and suggesting other forms of information. Not all of the comments are so, however. Even those posters who are for marriage between one man and one woman, some of those individuals post such offensive, vulgar comments I find it hard to believe that these women would allow that. One posted suggested that all gay persons be put on an island, and then use the island for military exercises.

Seriously, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???????

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

Zerb: I get to the website by going to youranswermatters.com. Then, you can go directly to their blog, and if you click on the blog titles to the left side of the page and then post a comment, or read comments.

I've gone to that site several times and looked all over and never found a blog. Links to other sites, yes. Clips of James Dobson, yes. Even the announcement "read our blog." But, no blog.

Where the HECK are you finding it?!?!



I read keltic's comment, and he is always respectful, and suggesting other forms of information. Not all of the comments are so, however. Even those posters who are for marriage between one man and one woman, some of those individuals post such offensive, vulgar comments I find it hard to believe that these women would allow that. One posted suggested that all gay persons be put on an island, and then use the island for military exercises.

:

OMG!!

Hope that person doesn't have any gay kids. Or actually, any kids, if this is the kind of attitude they're modeling.

[Vanessa White]

It isn't really a true blog, but if you click on the title of her most recent entry on the opening page, which is "How about a new new year's resolution?" or something like that, it will link you to that blog entry. Then, it will show other entries in the left margin, and when you link on a entry name, is when you can view any comments at the bottom of the page. I had to really work at it to figure out how it operated. Try that....

[tdogg]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

Even those posters who are for marriage between one man and one woman, some of those individuals post such offensive, vulgar comments I find it hard to believe that these women would allow that. One posted suggested that all gay persons be put on an island, and then use the island for military exercises.

Seriously, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???????

That's disgusting! What's even more disgusting, and disturbing, is that I believe that is not too uncommon thought in many churches. So, where is the love in all that??? (Ok, trick question...the answer of course is in our GLBT family! )

[keltic63]

according to information I received last night, the bill, SB1250, the so-called "protection of marriage" amendment is being introduced today. Sadly, my state senator, Richard Kasunic, is the sole Democratic sponsor of this bill. I called the Harrisburg office this morning, and I will make arrangements to call on him here at the local office later this week.

www.center4civilrights.org

[Vanessa White]

Keltic got word to me early this morning, and I sent off emails to both of my senators (one Republican, one Democrat); I got one response from the Democratic senator who states that he will not cosponsor the bill. In addition, one of my coworkers here wrote an email to her senator, who contacted her for her home address; and I also drafted a letter seeking support from friends and allies to hopefully go out on our company's email list.

We have got to get busy!

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

Keltic got word to me early this morning, and I sent off emails to both of my senators (one Republican, one Democrat); I got one response from the Democratic senator who states that he will not cosponsor the bill. In addition, one of my coworkers here wrote an email to her senator, who contacted her for her home address; and I also drafted a letter seeking support from friends and allies to hopefully go out on our company's email list.

We have got to get busy!

Thank you.

[keltic63]

OK, I have a call into my Senator as well as my representative. I'm waiting for them to call me to set up the appointment.

I'm working on putting my statements together so that I can speak coherently when I get into their offices.

any advice?

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by keltic63

OK, I have a call into my Senator as well as my representative. I'm waiting for them to call me to set up the appointment.

I'm working on putting my statements together so that I can speak coherently when I get into their offices.

any advice?

I can try. . . though I've only ever done one lobby meeting (for ENDA and hate crimes.) The meeting was not with the legislator, it was with staffers.

What I did for my (so far, only) lobby meeting was print out a list of important facts and "talking points" so that I would have them in my hand if, in the pressure of the moment and my nervousness at the new situation I forgot anything, the info was all right there in my folder. Info included statistics on percentages of people who supported our legislation, organizations who endorsed it, and such like. More important, imo, was the list of reasons why our legislation was needed. I also included a bulleted list of rebuttal points to arguments against our position that I anticipated might be made. I tried to think of every opposition statement I could, but even so, the staffers raised an opposing point that I had not considered. I think that's going to happen - you try to prepare for everything, but they're always likely to throw something new at you.

If, like me, you walk out of that meeting and hours later you think, "OH, I should have said X Y and Z. . . !!" there's a simple solution. Type and mail a thank you note, thanking the legislator for their time. In your thank you note, state "In addition to what we discussed on Tuesday, another important point to consider is Point X, because of Reason Y, therefore I hope you will support Conclusion Z. Again, thank you for your time on Tuesday. Respectfully, Keltic63."

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

I can try. . . though I've only ever done one lobby meeting (for ENDA and hate crimes.) The meeting was not with the legislator, it was with staffers.

What I did for my (so far, only) lobby meeting was print out a list of important facts and "talking points" so that I would have them in my hand if, in the pressure of the moment and my nervousness at the new situation I forgot anything, the info was all right there in my folder. Info included statistics on percentages of people who supported our legislation, organizations who endorsed it, and such like. More important, imo, was the list of reasons why our legislation was needed. I also included a bulleted list of rebuttal points to arguments against our position that I anticipated might be made. I tried to think of every opposition statement I could, but even so, the staffers raised an opposing point that I had not considered. I think that's going to happen - you try to prepare for everything, but they're always likely to throw something new at you.

If, like me, you walk out of that meeting and hours later you think, "OH, I should have said X Y and Z. . . !!" there's a simple solution. Type and mail a thank you note, thanking the legislator for their time. In your thank you note, state "In addition to what we discussed on Tuesday, another important point to consider is Point X, because of Reason Y, therefore I hope you will support Conclusion Z. Again, thank you for your time on Tuesday. Respectfully, Keltic63."

Thanks Zerbie! I just got an appt with my state representative. the House of Reps is discussing a bill that will add orientation, gender expression, and gender identity, to our existing Human Rights laws (anti-discrimination) The appt isn't as soon as I'd like it to be, but I do have the one! w00t!

[Vanessa White]

Our dear keltic is on his way to his Senator's office tomorrow for a meeting about discrimination legislation and marriage equality; I just wanted to publicly cheer him on and send him good wishes. Our legislature sent SB 1250, the proposed amendment to the state constitution that would deem marriage as only between one man and one woman; and, would not allow for civil unions at any time, to Judiciary committee on 2/14/08 (how appropriate, eh??) We are garnering as much support as we can with LGBT persons and allies to send letters off to their senators and reps.

You go, keltic!!!! You can do it- cannot wait to hear the "dirty" details!!!

BTW, keltic's Senator is one of those that introduced the legislation.....

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

Our dear keltic is on his way to his Senator's office tomorrow for a meeting about discrimination legislation and marriage equality; I just wanted to publicly cheer him on and send him good wishes.

:flower :
WAY To Go KELTIC!!!!
Thank you for doing this!!





Our legislature sent SB 1250, the proposed amendment to the state constitution that would deem marriage as only between one man and one woman; and, would not allow for civil unions at any time, to Judiciary committee on 2/14/08 (how appropriate, eh??)

In Arizona, they had their first hearing on the revised marriage amendment on Valentine's Day. What a heartbreaker!
They have to be trying to be as mean as possible. Doesn't it seem that way when they do this on Valentine's Day?



We are garnering as much support as we can with LGBT persons and allies to send letters off to their senators and reps.

Thank you SO much Vanessa!

You go, keltic!!!! You can do it- cannot wait to hear the "dirty" details!!!

BTW, keltic's Senator is one of those that introduced the legislation.....

Introduced the anti-equality legislation?? Boo!!
Man, Steve, thank you for taking such a bold step. Wow - that's really wonderful! That's gotta be really hard to face a meeting with a co-sponsor of legislation like that.

Thank you so much, Steve!! We love you.

[Daniel]

Go for it tomorrow!

[Zerbie]

So Steve, how did it go?????