More equality

As if getting same sex marriage in DE earlier this year wasn't enough, there is now an effort to pass a gender identity nondiscrimination act too.  Even more equality!!

It is looking very good that this legislation will pass, and our fabulous Governor Jack Markell has always been committed to equality for all Delawareans.  Very exciting!

Don't ask, DO TELL your senators

A federal judge ruled that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was unconstitutional. This is a landmark ruling that will face a long and rigorous appeals process. In the meantime, we are now in a position for Congress to once and for all put an end to this discriminatory law. So, read on and call your senators NOW.

The Senate has a quick four-week session before they leave for the 2010 election. It's critical that they repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in this short window – and time is running out.

Lots of people believe that repeal is a foregone conclusion. But I need you to know: this is not a done deal. We've had to fight to the end for every victory we've won, and this is no different. If we don't speak up now, our window for repeal could close.

Anti-gay constituents are calling Senate offices with lists of right-wing lies: that open military service would increase sexual assault, trample on the religious freedom of military chaplains, and put "twisted sexual desires" ahead of national security.

We have a 100-senator strategy to make sure bigotry and deception don't win out just before we reach the finish line. It takes about 45 seconds to call each one of your senators and urge them to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" before they leave for the election. It's just as important for supportive senators to hear from us – they need to know we're counting on them to get a repeal to President Obama's desk this year.

You may never have called Congress. That's fine. It couldn't be simpler.

Before 5 p.m. ET, call both of your senators. If you don't know who they are or their phone numbers, click here. Tell each staffer who answers where you live, so they know you are a constituent. Then say: "I'm calling to urge the Senator to push for repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in the next four weeks, before the election." Most calls end right there, but if you'd like, you can add: "Americans recognize that on the battlefield, it doesn't matter whether a soldier is lesbian, gay or straight; what matters is that a soldier gets the job done. This law hurts military readiness and national security. It puts American soldiers at risk."

Be sure to calls BOTH of your senators.

IMPORTANT: After you hang up, click here to let us know that you made the call. This enables us to tell lawmakers just how many people have called.

Senate staff are accepting calls and keeping tabs on what constituents care about, so senators will know what to focus on when they return for this short, busy session.

The House has already passed a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell. This is the last step before it goes to President Obama's desk. So we need to turn up the pressure in the Senate to make sure our window of opportunity doesn't close!

Crush du Jour: Nick Ayler

Maine approves of discrimination

I'm so upset by this I can hardly breath. This is why equal rights for GLBT people needs to be a federal issue, not a state referendum. History shows that the majority will usually fight to keep the minority from gaining power/equality. We need Congress to pass federal legislation providing ALL tax-paying citizen, straight and gay, with equal rights and protections.

Maine Voters Repeal Law Allowing Gay Marriage
By Abby Goodnough, NY Times

In a stinging setback for the national gay-rights movement, Maine voters narrowly decided to repeal the state’s new law allowing same-sex marriage.

With 87% of precincts reporting early this morning, 53% of voters had approved the repeal, ending an expensive and emotional fight that was closely watched around the country as a referendum on the national gay-marriage movement. Polls had suggested a much closer race.

With the repeal, Maine became the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage at the ballot box. Five other states - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont - have legalized same-sex marriage, but only through court rulings and legislative action.

The Maine vote was particularly discouraging for gay-rights groups because it took place in New England, the region that has been the most open to same-sex marriage, and because opponents of the repeal had far outspent backers. Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, had enthusiastically backed the state law allowing gay marriage, passed by the legislature in May but put on hold until the referendum took place.

The repeal came a year after California voters banned same-sex marriage with a constitutional amendment. Preliminary results showed strong opposition to the repeal in Portland, the state’s biggest city, but not enough to counter widespread support in more conservative regions to the north.

Throughout the bitter campaign, supporters of same sex marriage had stressed that gay couples deserve equal treatment under the law, banking on Maine’s reputation as a “live and let live” state. Opponents repeatedly warned voters that if gays were allowed to marry, it would be taught in the public schools, a tactic that proved effective in CA last year.

The Catholic Church was a leading supporter of the repeal campaign, even asking parishes to pass a second collection plate at Sunday mass to help the cause. The National Organization for Marriage also contributed heavily to the repeal campaign; it is under investigation by Maine’s ethics commission for possibly flouting state campaign finance laws by refusing to reveal its donors.

Crush du Jour: Juan Carlos Garcia