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March
12, 2004:
Response from Mass Equality (directly below)
Press Release from VT Freedom to Marry Task
Force
From www.massequality.org
Dear Friend,
We may have lost an important vote last night, but the most
critical vote is yet to come.
We remain resolute in our goal - to defeat any anti-gay amendment
to the constitution and to uphold the Goodridge decision.
This is not the time to be discouraged. It's a time to take
a deep breath, to know that we are still very much in this
fight, and that we can still prevail.
When the Constitutional Convention convenes again on March
29, we must keep the pressure on, keep reinforcing and supporting
our friends, and keep our eye on the prize.
While it may be counterintuitive, last night, many of our
legislative friends took two procedural votes to move the
Travaglini amendment forward. The objective was always to
kill it in a subsequent vote. That remains our goal and our
plan.
In fact, our numbers forced our opponents out. They were
forced to support the Travaglini amendment even though they
want no rights for gay and lesbian couples. But they knew
that unless they switched their votes, we had a shot to defeat
the amendment once and for all. We were so close to victory,
and our opponents knew it.
And so now we head into another Convention. Between now and
March 29, we must redouble our efforts, raise our voices,
and keep the heat on. Nothing but marriage is equal. Civil
unions is second class citizenship. Legislators should not
write discrimination into the Constitution. And, most importantly,
we must defend the Goodridge decision. We are not fighting
for the freedom to marry. We are fighting to preserve our
Constitutional rights.
In the next days, we will let you know exactly how we are
going to put the pressure on key legislators to make sure
that when the final vote is cast, they vote for equality.
The legislators who voted "no" on the third/final
vote, are our heroes. In the next few days we will be sending
you an email with further information about how your legislators
voted and how to take action.
We have come so far in such a short time. Your actions, your
financial support, and your dedication have truly made a difference.
We would not be at this place today were it not for you.
We understand how difficult it has been to accept this temporary
setback. Please know that we are determined to win. We have
moral authority on this issue.
We are not going away. We are growing in numbers and in resolve.
Congratulations on getting us this far. Please take a moment
to acknowledge our success to date. Then, sit back, and get
ready for more action.
We will win this together.
P.S. To read our statement about yesterday's votes, please
go to www.MassEquality.org/final.php.
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PRESS RELEASE ISSUED
BY THE VERMONT FREEDOM TO MARRY TASK FORCE
(South Hero, Vermont, March 11, 2004)
The Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force protests
the Massachusetts legislature's preliminary approval of a
proposed constitutional amendment that would take away the
constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry, but is
optimistic that the measure will not receive final approval.
The Task Force has scheduled a brief rally and forum for Friday,
March 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church
in Burlington. The purpose of the gathering is to oppose the
Massachusetts amendment, celebrate the positive developments
around the country, and launch the Vermont Freedom to Marry
Task Force's public education campaign.
Referring to the proposed constitutional amendment
in Massachusetts, Freedom to Marry Task Force Chair Sherry
Corbin explained, "It's an attack on our families-- an
attack on our civil rights. We're confident the people of
Massachusetts won't go for that." The Massachusetts legislature
has only preliminary approved the measure on two procedural
votes, and will recovene on March 29 for further debate and
voting. If the amendment passes this year, before it could
take effect, the amendment would have to be passed by the
Massachusetts legislature again next session, and then by
the voters of Massachusetts in 2006.
In the meantime, starting in May of this year,
as a result of a state supreme court ruling that same-sex
couples have a constitutional right to marry, gay and lesbian
couples throughout Massachusetts will be able to obtain marriage
licenses and legally marry. By the time the proposed constitutional
amendment could reach the voters of Massachusetts, thousands
of same-sex couples would likely already be married. Corbin
says that will make a difference. "The people of Massachusetts
will see firsthand that allowing their fellow citizens to
marry will make everyone better off. Nobody will be hurt,
a few families in the neighborhood will be more secure, and
communities will be stronger."
The proposed constitutional amendment also contains
a provision which would create civil unions for same-sex couples.
"I know about civil unions. I'm in one," explained
Task Force board member Laura Davidson. "While the legal
protections are helpful, it's simply no substitute for marriage.
Nora and I are far more vulnerable, and far less protected
by the laws than our married friends and neighbors. And being
married, as opposed to just joined in civil union, means a
lot to us. Excluding us from marriage hurts our family, plain
and simple."
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