[1819] in peace2
Constitutional Convention Meets on Anti-Gay Amendment
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Shereen S Katrak)
Wed Jul 17 11:05:30 2002
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Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 11:03:19 -0400
From: Shereen S Katrak <shereen@MIT.EDU>
Today!
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Subject: URGENT FOR CONCON TURNOUT (fwd)
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Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 18:26:38 -0400
From: Victor Chudnovsky <vchudnov@MIT.EDU>
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From: "The Freedom To Marry Coalition" <bulletin@EqualMarriage.org>
Subject: URGENT FOR CONCON TURNOUT
Hi,
Our allies at MassEquality.org have asked us to pass this along.
We know that we have been asking a great deal from all of our
supporters these past few months. That said, please read the
request below and, if appropriate, attend tomorrow's historic
Constitutional Convention at the State House.
Thank you,
Valerie Fein-Zachary, M.D., co-chair
Robert DeBenedictis, co-chair
Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts
325 Huntington Avenue, Suite 88
Boston, MA 02115-4401
617-249-0234
http://EqualMarriage.org
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION MEETS ON ANTI-GAY AMENDMENT
WEDNEDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 17 (TOMORROW)
HOUSE CHAMBER OF THE STATE HOUSE
BE THERE TO SUPPORT LAWMAKERS WHO ARE SUPPORTING YOU!
(BUT IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY. READ ON.)
As you probably know, the Massachusetts Legislature meets at 2pm
this
Wednesday in a Constitutional Convention, at which time the members
may
debate and/or vote on the anti-gay Constitutional Amendment. (If it
becomes
law, our state would have the nation's most restrictive laws
relating to gay
and lesbian families, and prohibit even the most modest legal
protections.)
WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN
During the last Convention a few weeks ago, the anti-gay proponents
of this
measure showed up at the State House in buses, prepared to cause a
disturbance if they did not get the win they wanted, the very day
they wanted
it. When Senate President Tom Birmingham postponed the Convention --
by just
a few weeks! -- the mob erupted. The court officers had to
physically clear
them from the visitors Gallery. The mob then followed Birmingham to
his
office, blocked him in, and chanted "We Want A Vote!" for well over
an hour.
They also made inflammatory, provocative public accusations about
"the
homosexuals" who were there observing (in deliberately small numbers
that
day). It was clear that the mob was hoping for the situation to
deteriorate
into a scene that would make the news that night. Something,
anything, that
would make both sides -- rather than just their side -- look hateful
and
extreme.
Well, the buses of anti-gay activists will be pulling up to the
State House
again this Wednesday -- tomorrow. And, unless they get the vote they
want,
with the result they want, their behavior will be no better than
last time.
And perhaps far worse.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE CAUSE.
(AND, ALSO, HOW YOU CAN INADVERTENTLY HURT IT.)
MassEquality.org would like to find a way to show support for all
those in
the Legislature who are working so hard to be supportive of us at
this time.
But we do NOT want to add to a volatile, ugly situation. So here is
what we'd
like to ask of you, your family, and your friends.
If you can gather a small group of folks who can take the afternoon
off from
work tomorrow (or just happen to be available) please consider
attending the
Constitutional Convention. But before you make your final decision
about
attending, PLEASE READ BELOW AND BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF...
1. You will probably see and hear things that upset you, personally.
Some of
the anti-gay folks may try to provoke a confrontation with us, with
you, or
someone near you at some point. It may be a hurtful anti-gay remark
- -- or
something seemingly small, like a dispute over a seat in the
Gallery. If you
think it will be difficult for you to stay calm, unaffected, and
IGNORE any
provocation, PLEASE stay home. They are desperate for a media circus
and a
fight. They are desperate to start something and then blame "the
militant
homosexuals" (whoever that is) for it. We must not give them the
opportunity.
2. You will probably see the anti-gay forces behave, as they did
last time,
in ways that are inappropriate and unacceptable in a place such as
the House
Chamber and the visitors Gallery during a formal session (and
frankly, ways
that you or your kids wouldn't behave in a McDonalds). At no time
should you
take your "cue" from them as to what is proper behavior. The Gallery
is a
place for quiet, respectful observation. In keeping with that, we
also
suggest that you dress comfortably but respectfully, given the
formal nature
of the proceedings.
GETTING A SEAT: BE EARLY, BE PATIENT
The House Gallery seating is limited. Given the disturbance the
anti-gay
forces produced last time, we also expect a strong police presence
at the
State House, stepped up security, longer lines.
Plan on arriving at the State House for your trip through security
at 11:30am
(ideally), NOON at the latest. (Any of the officers there should be
able to
direct you to the House Gallery.)
If you are not through security, and in line for a seat in the House
Gallery
by 1:00PM, you will not get a seat. The Convention begins at 2:00PM.
It is possible that the Convention's business will last for several
hours.
(There are three items on the agenda.) To show your support of all
those in
the Legislature who are trying to do the right thing for us -- on
what surely
will be a difficult day -- plan on the possibility that the
proceedings could
last the entire afternoon. (Obviously, it would be great if you
traveled
through this experience with a few friends. Consider asking some
folks you've
volunteered with in the past...)
Thank you.
Please pass this email on to others who you think may be interested,
have a
flexible schedule, and the ability to be a calm and positive
presence at this
important moment.
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