ACT On Principles

From Equality Across America:

Unite and Fight: Strategizing for LGBTQ Civil Rights and Equality
Equality Across America Midwest Regional Conference
March 12-14, 2010
Columbia College, Chicago

*** REGISTRATION CLOSES THIS FRIDAY AT NOON ***
$15 for the entire weekend.

Schedule Available Online (subject to change)
http://eaamidwestconference.wordpress.com/

Please visit our website at:
http://eaamidwestconference.wordpress.com/

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On October 11, 2009, more than 200,000 activists marched on Washington to demand full equality for all LGBTQ people in all matters of civil law in all 50 states. Today, many of us who mobilized for the march are organizing to build Equality Across America (EAA), a national network of grassroots activists, starting with a series of regional educational and strategizing conferences.

On the weekend of March 12–14 activists from across the Midwest will gather to discuss and debate many of the issues we currently face as a movement today. Check out the blog listed above for the full program (subject to change).

In addition there will be artists performing and showing their work, music, dancing and lots of time to hang out and socialize with other LGBTQ activists and allies in the region. Don’t miss the opportunity to build unity and meet new activist friends in Chicago, March 12–14, 2010.

Featuring:
* Lt. Dan Choi, prominent activist against Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
* Staceyann Chin, Jamaican-born lesbian performance artist and poet
* Adam Bouska, photographer and creator of the “NO H8″ campaign

If you’re not in Chicago but in the Midwest, join us via conference call on Sunday, March 7th from 6-7:30 pm CST. Click the link below for call in information.

http://eaamidwestconference.wordpress.com/

From a FaceBook friend of Act On Principles:

Massachusetts became the 1st state to sue the U.S. government on July 8, 2009 over the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies married same-sex couples all 1,138 federal marriage benefits. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley contends in the lawsuit that DOMA “constitutes an overreaching and discriminatory federal law.” You can view the full complaint here: http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/press/2009_07_08_doma_complaint.pdf

Marriage Equality has also been the law of the land in Connecticut since November 12, 2008. We ran a campaign in August of 2009 urging then Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to defend state law — marriage equality. AG Blumenthal promptly responded to our campaign, “We are monitoring Massachusetts’ action and listening to views and opinions expressed by advocates on all sides of the issue.” However, before AG Blumenthal could make a final decision he has decided to not run for reelection and is instead running for Senate.

Thus far, there are 3 Democrats and 3 Republican who have announced their candidacies for Attorney General. Since marriage equality is indeed the law in Connecticut, we are asking those 6 Attorney General candidates if they will follow Massachusetts’ lead and stand up for the citizens and laws of their state by filing a lawsuit against the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

FYI, in addition to the Attorney General having a duty to defend state law, defending marriage equality just so happens to be the politically expedient action to take. The majority of Connecticut citizens support marriage equality and those numbers continue to grow. http://www.columbia.edu/~jrl2124/Lax_Phillips_Gay_Policy_Responsiveness_2009.pdf

So let’s ask all 6 Attorney General candidates if elected, they would defend state law, marriage equality, and file a lawsuit against DOMA!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=355072194694