Vermont Freedom to Marry

Beth Robinson's "My Turn" published in the BFP on Sunday Dec. 14th

My Turn: Done Waiting For Same-sex Marriage

"For years now I have heard the word 'Wait!' It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This 'Wait' has almost always meant 'Never.' We must come to see...that 'justice too long delayed is justice denied.'"

Martin Luther King's celebrated plea to white moderates to move beyond their rhetorical support for civil rights into the realm of genuine action came to mind as I read The Burlington Free Press editorial ("Legislature has time for only few big issues," Nov. 25) acknowledging that "Vermont may, in fact, be ready for same-sex marriage," but simultaneously suggesting that debating the freedom to marry would detract from a focus on Vermont's economic issues, and that any legislator pushing action to end the legal discrimination against gay and lesbian Vermonters this year would be "doing the people of Vermont a disservice." The Free Press arument misses the mark in several respects.

Join us for the premiere of MILK

Join VFM and the RU12 Community Center for the opening premiere of MILK at Palace 9 Movie Theater in S. Burlington on Friday December 12th for the 6:30 pm show.

As we look forward to making history in Vermont next year, we want you to join us for this special event. This is an opportunity for us to join together to acknowledge all that we've accomplished while recognizing the courage and sacrifice of Harvey Milk, who committed his life to ending discrimination and gaining equality for GLBTQ individuals. 

MILK is a film about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in American (1977) when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The following year, both he and the city's mayor, George Moscone, were shot to death by another city supervisor, Dan White.  This is the first non-documentary film to tell the story of Harvey Milk's life and legacy. Directed by Gus Van Sant and stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk.

VFM and RU12 will have informational tables and you will have the opportunity to Take Action in support of marraige rights for same-sex couples. Be sure to bring along your family and friends to this special event.

Sign up at the premiere for our Freedom to Marry Drive and receive a free MILK shirt, hat or poster.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Join the Freedom to Marry Drive!

   

To win equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in 2009, we need to raise money from those who care about equality and civil rights.  And we need your help!!

Join the Freedom to Marry Drive today and ask your family, friends, co-workers and colleagues to donate to equality! We all watched from afar as money poured into California to take away marriage rights from same-sex couples.  We cannot be caught flat-footed in Vermont.  You don't have to walk for this, you don't have to run for this, all you have to do is ask your family, friends, and colleagues to donate to Vermont Freedom to Marry through your easy-to-create personal webpage.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 by January 31st – Here's how we will use the funds:

• To double our field staff who will work in critical areas to mobilize our supporters
• To recruit, train, and activate supporters to organize their communities for equality
• For mailings, door-to-door efforts, phone banks and other community events for equality
• For supplies, office space, transportation, cell phones - all the necessary costs to win equal rights

Also, we have great prizes:        

• Autographed Melissa Etheridge Ovation guitar with case 
• Purple iPod Nano 8GB from Small Dog Electronics 
• The L Word Seasons 1-5
• LGBT Documentary Package: The Celluloid Closet (book and DVD), Brother Outsider, The Times of Harvey Milk, Before Stonewall, After Stonewall, and Out of the Past (book)
• 2 $75 Gift Certificates to Small Dog Electronics
• Milk the movie t-shirts, posters, and more packages

Sign up here to start winning our prizes!  

 

The Freedom to Marry Drive officially launched on December 1, and will end January 31st.   

If you have any questions, contact Ashley at Ashley@vtfreetomarry.org or 802.777.1949.

We would like to thank Small Dog Electronics for their generous sponsorship

Write Governor Douglas today!

The 2009 legislative session is just around the corner.  We must begin our work with Governor Jim Douglas TODAY to ensure that he understands the importance of marriage equality to Vermonters.

With your help, we can educate Gov. Douglas.

Below are some quick tips for your letter.

***See sample letter at the bottom of this page.***

1. Set a positive tone.  Our goal is to educate Gov. Douglas, not to alienate him.  Your letter should demonstrate your support of marriage equality and explain why it is important to you and your family.  Steer clear of hurtful accusations or negative language.  Help him recognize that he has an opportunity to be on the right side of history by supporting equal rights for same-sex couples in Vermont.

2. Include a photo.  Photos are a great way to connect Gov. Douglas to our families and to our stories.  Make sure the photo is not blurry.  If you have a partner or a child who is gay or lesbian, try to send a photo with them and be sure to tell Gov. Douglas their names to personalize the letter.  (Using first names only is appropriate.)

3.  Ask him to support equality in the first paragraph.  It's important to state at the beginning of the letter why you're writing him, so don't bury the lead.  Tell him up front that you want him to support marriage equality.

4.  Share a little about your life.  Include information that will help Gov. Douglas connect with you, like: how many children/grandchildren you have, what type of work you do, if you're retired, whether you're married and for how long, list any hobbies or volunteer work, etc.  Also, if you've met Gov. Douglas at an event, be sure to reference your meeting.

5.  Let him know you're a parent or grandparent.  Be sure to tell Gov. Douglas that you are a parent or a grandparent of someone who is gay or lesbian.  This will help him recognize that denying same-sex couples the legal right to marry negatively impacts everyone in the family.

6.  If you're a Republican, let Governor Douglas know that.  We know he values hearing from all Vermonters and, as a Republican, you can demonstrate to the governor that members of his party value this issue.

7.  Keep it short.  Try to limit your letter to one page and be sure to include your full name and the town you live in.