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 Just two weeks left until the September 14th Primary! Please join the campaign and pass this on to everyone! Call To Action: Campaign and Vote For Charlie Ramos For The New York State Senate Vote Out Obstructionist Ruben Diaz Sr. Join the campaign and contribute here: -by Tommy News Please pass this on to everyone, especially to those in the Bronx, New York Countdown to the September 14th Primary Election On December 2nd, 2009, by a vote of 38 Nays to 24 Yeas, The State Senate Voted Against Marriage Equality. Every single Republican and eight Democrats voted for discrimination. Our goal is to defeat and remove all 38 from office, Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. lead the vote against equality and we must lead him out of the Senate doors by electing Charlie Ramos to fill his Albany Senate seat. In addition to leading the Senate against Marriage Equality, Diaz once suggested that the Gay Games would encourage homosexuality and spread H.I.V. In 2003, he sued the city to shut down a high school for gay and transgender students. Diaz recently joined forces with convicted felon and former Senate leader Joe Bruno to block every single piece of pro equality legislation from reaching the Senator floor. He lead the fight to block initiatives by Governor Paterson, effectively shutting down the Senate last year and affecting all New Yorkers. He threatened to shut down the Senate again if a vote on Marriage Equality was brought to the floor. When it was, he led the Senate to defeat the bill. More recently, Diaz blocked GENDA and stripped tax equality rights from couples married in other states. Diaz has also angered Teachers and workers unions, and he has used his religious Fundie pulpit to blur the separation of Church and New York State at every turn. It is time to send Reverend Diaz packing to bang his Bible elsewhere, and replace him with Charlie Ramos in the September 14th primary election in the South Bronx. I urge you to get involved and join us in this effort. Please pass this message on to everyone in your address book. Vote For Charlie Ramos! Five Actions To Take: 1- Join The Charlie Ramos Campaign, Volunteer, Contribute, and Spread the word here. This September, we have the opportunity to bring real change to New York State and to the South Bronx. These times demand bold and honest leadership. For far too long, we have accepted the status quo, but we deserve more, much more. It is time to put an end to the reign of politicians who do not share our values and betray our trust over and over again. We must fight to restore faith in our state government and uphold the values of our community. If you believe in real democracy and freedom for all, you know that we the people have a choice in what kind of leadership we need in 2010. We need your help to bring a true, honest, and hardworking leader to Albany. Charlie Ramos’ Vision: Reproductive Freedom: Women and men – not politicians – deserve the right to make personal decisions about their reproductive health in accordance with their own personal and moral beliefs. Health Care: Every individual should have affordable, quality health care. Education: It is essential that we invest in quality public education for all. Environment: We must commit to restoring and protecting our environment. Economic Justice: Prosperity should be accessible to everyone, not merely the few. Join the campaign and contribute here: http://www.charlieramos2010.com/ Charlie Ramos’s email is: prcharlie@gmail.com 2- Sign Up for FIGHT BACK NEW YORK This fabulous organization is dedicated to replacing the anti-equality members of The NewYork State Senate. 3- Join the Andrew Cuomo For Governor campaign. Attorney General Cuomo is a strong ally of the LGBT community. He has pledged to make marriage equality in New York State a top priority. We thank outgoing Governor David Paterson for his strong pro-equality advocacy and activism, and we must help Andrew Cuomo win the election and continue his work. Sign up here: 4- Join Marriage Equality New York MENY Organization committed to securing the right to civil marriage for same-sex couples. Blog with related news and calendar of upcoming events. http://www.meny.us/ 5- Join Tommy’s Yahoo Group dedicated to electing a pro-equality New York State Senate. On December 2nd, 2009, by a vote of 38 Nays to 24 Yeas, The State Senate Voted Against Marriage Equality. Every single Republican and eight Democrats voted for discrimination. Our goal is to defeat and remove all 38 from office, most especially Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr; who lead the vote against marriage equality. Click Here and Join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewYorkStateSenateForCivilRights/ http://www.charlieramos2010.com/
Time Today · 6:30pm – 9:00pm Location 450 West 17th St. (between 9th and 10th Ave) 14th floor Created By Natasha Demands Equality Dillon, Marti Equality Cummings, Yetta G. Kurland More Info Come out and support Charlie Ramos in his efforts to challenge the incumbent, Ruben Diaz Sr. Diaz, who is the number one obstructionist for Equality in NY. Charlie can beat him, but he needs our help! Besides being the strongest opponent of Marriage Equality in New York, Diaz claims that same-sex marriage will bring the end of the world. In 2003, Diaz filed a lawsuit to stop the expansion of the Harvey Milk School, claiming th…at the school infringed upon the rights of heterosexual students. Also, Diaz oppose the “Gay games” from coming to NY, claiming that doing so would lead to an increase in AIDS and a wider acceptance of homosexuality by young people. DIAZ HAS TO GO!!!! Come show your support and give what you can. Do it for your Equality if nothing else If you are unable to make the event, but still want to contribute to Equality, please visit Charlie’s contribution page: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/24093 Donation: $25-$6,000. Suggested donation: $50See More If you cannot attend, please donate what you can at the Charlie Ramos Campaign Website here and join the campaign. The Primary Election is September 14th! Please pass this on. http://www.charlieramos2010.com/
From Fight Back New York: Earlier this week, the anti-gay group New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms sent out an appeal to raise $200,000 to combat what Fight Back New York is doing during the upcoming primary and general elections. Here is part of their message: “NYCFPAC’s goal is to raise $200,000 between now and Election Day…In December 2009, 38 state senators courageously voted against same-sex marriage legislation. Supporters of same-sex marriage…are targeting those same 38 senators for defeat…If pro-life, pro-family, and pro-freedom New Yorkers want our elected officials to stand up for our values, we must support those candidates and elected officials who do so.” This means that they will be pouring money into the campaigns of longtime anti-gay senators like Ruben Diaz and Bill Stachowski. We need your help to make sure that we have the resources to overwhelm these anti-gay tactics. We know that our strategy is smart and effective–otherwise groups like this wouldn’t be so worried. They know that Fight Back New York played an instrumental role in defeating one of their candidates, the convicted criminal Hiram Monserrate. Please contribute $20, $50, or $100 today. Remember the anger you felt towards each of the 38 state senators who voted against the equality of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers? Now you have a chance to FIGHT BACK and send the message that you are in this to win, and will stop at nothing until LGBT New Yorkers have equal rights. Your support of Fight Back New York helps us tell the truth about these backward and ineffective state senators. Click here for an example of what we’re doing right now in Sen. Bill Stachowski’s distict. Join us today by donating $20, $50, or $100. Turn your anger into action. More Here: https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6164/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=4081
Rock The Vote and Pass This On. The New York Primary Voter Registration Deadline is Friday. Register and Mail in Your Form Today Constituent: The primary voter registration deadline for New York is Friday, August 20th. Be sure you’ve registered to vote and mailed in your form by Friday, August 20th, so you can vote in upcoming primary elections. Remember, if you have changed your address or moved since you last registered, you need to re-register by Friday, August 20th as well. All registration forms must be postmarked by Friday, August 20th. If you have already registered to vote, then please forward this notice to all your friends. – The Rock the Vote Voter Registration Center Contact you local Board of Elections or get a form and print it out here: http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_voter_registration.html?source=NYregistration
ACTION ALERT: Homophobia Kills Die-In in Washington, D.C. Today, Sunday 8-15 This is is an open action for all to join in on who are here in Washington, D.C. today. Please pass this on to everyone. To join the Homophobia Kills Die-In, look for the Photos at noon, at Pershing Park, where the group will be preparing for the day of action. ACTIVISTS TO HOLD ‘HOMOPHOBIA KILLS’ DIE-IN Washington DC (August 15, 2010) Activists will bring the message that “homophobia kills” directly to the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) with a Die-In and photo exhibit of murder-victims, including a 17th month old baby. “NOM’s work is not about marriage. It’s about rejecting LGBT people and teaching others to hate them. This leads to murder, attacks, and suicide” said Alan Bounville, a founder of Queer Rising NY. Blown up photos of four recent victims — all killed within the last 3 years — will put faces to the truth: Ryan Skipper (a gay man murdered in FL), Lateisha Green (a trans woman of color murdered in NY), and Cheyenne Williams (kidnapped and barely escaped in KY), and the unimaginable, Roy A. Jones (a 17 months old baby murdered in NY because it was too effeminate). The ‘Homophobia Kills’ Die-In will take place in two locations around the Capital: (1) Near NOM’s action and (2) Near the White House. Activist doing the die-in felt this message — homophobia kills — needed to be brought directly to the NOM protestors, not stay blocks away. “There are people protesting against marriage that don’t understand the consequences,” said Lane Hudson, a prominent blogger. “Every American needs to realize that this not about marriage. It’s about basic human dignity and being safe to live in our own country.” “We all need to face the fact that homophobia kills,” said Todd Fernandez, of The American Equality Bill Project, which seeks to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the ‘64 Civil Rights Act. “The NOM messaging is no different from hate spewed around inter-racial marriages. That wasn’t about marriage either. It was about race and hate. It killed then and it kills now.” To join the Homophobia Kills Die-In, look for the Photos at noon, at Pershing Park, where the group will be preparing for the day of action.
Friend- Eighteen years ago, shortly after graduating from law school, I helped lead a voter registration campaign in Chicago that generated record turnout on Election Day. That experience taught me one of the most important lessons I ever learned as a community organizer: When people promise that they’ll do something — like voting — they are far more likely to do it. That’s why one key part of our Vote 2010 plan this year is to get folks like you from across the country to commit to vote, to make sure we get as many people as we can to cast their ballots this fall. But getting the commitments we need starts with your own promise to make it to the polls and cast your ballot. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/2010commit?source=nav Over the next 82 days, volunteers across the country will spend countless hours calling voters and knocking on their doors, asking them the same question. And you can bet that I am counting on you to join them in talking to voters in your community. This election offers a stark choice. We Democrats are hard at work trying to move America forward, repairing a decade of damage and growing an economy based on the Main Street values of hard work and responsibility. We’ve fought for and won historic reforms to our health care system, a victory 100 years in the making, and to Wall Street, the most sweeping overhaul of the financial system since the Great Depression. But after years of policies that landed us in the worst recession since the 1930’s, the Republicans who got us there have not come up with anything different from the policies of George W. Bush. We simply cannot afford to go backwards or let them repeal our reforms. And making sure we can continue moving forward starts with your own promise to cast your ballot in these elections. Please commit to vote this fall: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/2010commit?source=nav Thank you, President Barack Obama Go Here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/2010commit?source=nav
2 PM to 4 PM From The Big Commit Planning Team: Dear Big Commit Supporters, On behalf of the planning team, I would like to update you regarding the official location for the Big Commit Rally this Sunday, August 15. We have always known that location would be an important factor for this rally. We also were prepared for a certain amount of secrecy in regards to NOM’s announcement of their location. Weeks ago we filled out applications for two venues that we thought we good possible choices: Freedom Plaza and the West Lawn of the Capitol. NOM’s website has said Capitol Steps for the past few weeks, but by checking the public records, there has not been, and still is not, any approved permits for the Capitol Grounds for this Sunday. The Big Commit Rally will be held this Sunday, August 15, from 2 to 4 in Freedom Plaza. This location is strongly supported by our sponsors, endorsers, and the community leaders who are participating. The messaging of The Big Commit has always been focused on a peaceful response to NOM’s hateful rhetoric. We will join together with our diverse allies and show that we are a unified community that pulls together and becomes stronger in the face of hate. This will be accomplised regardless of venue or proximity to NOM’s rally. Our rally has national attention and will be well-attended. What a message we will send by outnumbering them, being re-energized by a strong community showing, and not even making an appearance at their bigoted event! We are assembling as a group and putting a positive light on something unpleasant and upsetting. All along the organizers of The Big Commit have sought to have a peaceful and organized response to NOM’s presence in our city. Freedom Plaza will ensure that this message does not get lost in a shouting match. We are so very excited about how the events of this Sunday are taking shape. We have assembled a fantastic coalition of activists and allies, LGBT organizations and grassroots supporters, and members of affirming faith communities. We need you to come and be supportive of The Big Commit and be supportive of the LGBT movement for marriage equality and full federal equality as a whole. Please, if you have any questions or concerns, contact the organizers who, however busy, care greatly about this community and are available to discuss the matter further. We also need help spreading the word. We want 1000 people at The Big Commit! Please tell your friends, share on Facebook, blog, add the event to any listserves you have membership to, RSVP and invite like-minded friends. Together we can make this day one to remember. In solidarity, From Wikipedia: Freedom Plaza, originally known as Western Plaza, is an open plaza in Northwest Washington, D.C., United States, located at the corner of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, adjacent to Pershing Park. Designed in 1980, the plaza is mostly composed of stone, inlaid with a depiction of parts of Pierre (Peter) Charles L’Enfant’s plan for the City of Washington.[1] Most of the plaza is raised above street level. The western end of the plaza contains a large fountain, while the eastern end of the plaza contains an equestrian statue of Kazimierz Pułaski. The plaza was renamed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., who worked on his “I Have a Dream” speech in the nearby Willard Hotel. In 1988, a time capsule containing a Bible, a robe, and other relics of King’s was planted at the site. It will be reopened in 2088.[2] The John A. Wilson Building, the seat of the District of Columbia government, faces the plaza, as does the historic National Theatre, which has been visited by every U.S. President since Andrew Jackson.[3] Three large hotels are to the north and west. Freedom Plaza is a popular place for political protests and civic events. It is also one of the settings in Dan Brown’s 2009 novel The Lost Symbol,[4][5] in part because of the Plaza’s location at the intersection of Metro lines. The Federal Triangle Metro station, which sits on the Blue and Orange Lines, is across Pennsylvania Avenue from the plaza. The Metro Center station on the Red, Blue, and Orange lines is two blocks north on 13th Street. More:
Please keep writing and calling your Senators and Representatives. They are listening! From Senator Schumer: Dear Mr. Thomas: Thank you for writing to express your views on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). I believe in protecting American’s Constitutional freedoms of religion, speech and association too and share your caution for legislation that may infringe on these rights. ENDA would make it illegal to fire employees because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. It also bans employers from refusing to hire or promote employees on the basis of their sexual orientation, just like our current laws that protect citizens from being fired based on their race, religion or national origin. This legislation would not promote preferential treatment or quotas for lesbians and gay men, nor would it apply to practices of religious organizations. ENDA passed the House of Representatives last November and is now pending in the Senate. I will keep your concerns in mind when it is brought before the Senate for a vote. Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can ever be of assistance to you on this, or any other matter. Sincerely, Charles E. Schumer http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm
From The Los Angeles Times: A federal judge in San Francisco decided today that gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry, striking down Proposition 8, the voter approved ballot measure that banned same-sex unions. U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker said Proposition 8, passed by voters in November 2008, violated the federal constitutional rights of gays and lesbians to marry the partners of their choice. His ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then up to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Plaintiffs challenge Proposition 8 under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment,” the judge wrote. “Each challenge is independently meritorious, as Proposition 8 both unconstitutionally burdens the exercise of the fundamental right to marry and creates an irrational classification on the basis of sexual orientation.” Vaughn added: “Plaintiffs seek to have the state recognize their committed relationships, and plaintiffs’ relationships are consistent with the core of the history, tradition and practice of marriage in the United States.“ Ultimately, the judge concluded that Proposition 8 “fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. … Because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.” Backers of Proposition 8 contended that the legal burden was on the challengers to prove there was no rational justification for voting for the measure. More here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/08/prop8-gay-marriage.html
Prop 8 Day of Decision rallies, etc. MAJOR CITIES LOS ANGELES: 6 p.m. | West Hollywood Park | 647 N. San Vicente SAN DIEGO: March: 6 p.m. @ 6th & University | Rally: 7 p.m. @ LGBT Community Center | 3909 Centre St SAN FRANCISCO: 5 p.m. | Castro & Market | March to City Hall | Rally: 6:45 p.m. SACRAMENTO: 6 p.m. | Party | K & 21st | In the unlikely event Judge Walker rules against teh gay, there will be a march to the Capitol SAN JOSE: 6 p.m. | Billy DeFrank Center | 983 the Alameda LONG BEACH: 6 p.m. | Bixby Park | Junipero & Cherry @ Broadway ELSEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA BAKERSFIELD: 5 p.m | Outback Steakhouse | Stockdale Hwy & Village Lane CONCORD: 6 p.m. | Todos Santos Plaza | Willow Pass & Grant FRESNO: 7:30 p.m. | City Hall INLAND EMPIRE (Rancho Cucamonga): 6 p.m. | Day Creek Blvd & Foothill Blvd MARTINEZ: 6 p.m. | County Clerk | 822 Main St MOUNTAIN VIEW: 6 p.m. | Caltrain Station & City Hall | 500 Castro St NAPA: 6 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Park ORANGE COUNTY (Santa Ana): 7 p.m. | Sasscer Park | 4th & Ross PALM SPRINGS: 7 p.m. | Courthouse | 3255 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way PITTSBURGH: 7 p.m. | Community Presbyterian Church PORTERVILLE: 5 p.m. | SaveMart | Henderson & Port RICHMOND: 6 p.m. | City Hall | 450 Civic Center Plaza SAN LUIS OBISPO: 5:30 p.m. | Mission Plaza Amphitheater SAN MATEO: 6 p.m. | 5th & El Camino Real SANTA BARBARA: 7 p.m. | Jill’s Place | 632 Santa Barbara St SANTA ROSA: 7:30 p.m. | City Hall | 100 Santa Rosa Ave UKIAH: 6 p.m. | Alex Thomas Plaza | 295 S. State St VALLEJO: 5:30 p.m. | Ferry Terminal | Mare Island Way & Georgia St WALNUT CREEK: 6 p.m. | City Hall | 1666 N. Main St OTHER STATES ATLANTA: 6 p.m. | 10th & Piedmont AUSTIN: 5:30 p.m. | City Hall BOSTON: 6 p.m. | Copley Square @ Copley T stop on Boylston St BOULDER: 6:30 p.m. | Pride House | 2132 14th St CHAMPAIGN-URBANA (IL): 7 p.m. | Green & Wright CHICAGO: 6 p.m. | Daley Plaza CLEVELAND: 5 p.m. | Bounce/Union Station DALLAS: 6 p.m. | Legacy of Love Monument | Cedar Springs Road & Oak Lawn DENTON (SATURDAY): 5 p.m. | Courthouse Square DENVER: 6 p.m. | Capitol | Lincoln between Colfax & 14th HOUSTON: 6 p.m. | City Hall MADISON: 5 p.m. | Johnson & State NEW YORK CITY: 7 p.m. | New York City Supreme Court | 60 Centre St PHOENIX: 5:30 p.m. | Cesar Chavez Plaza @ City Hall | March @ 6 p.m. to federal courthouse SAN ANTONIO: 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Send me your info and links (and corrections) to this disposable e-mail address rexsbc-prop8@yahoo.com that will work only until 5 p.m. Wednesday California time. More:
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