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DOMA: Sen. Reed isn’t listening, so we’re getting loud
October 26, 2011
By Adam Bink
As I wrote recently, we delivered petition signatures to Sen. Reed’s office in Rhode Island and DC, urging him to join 31 other Senators in supporting the Respect for Marriage Act.
Nearly a month ago, Sen. Reed was asked about the bill and said he would decide shortly (on an issue that has been around for years, including when he was in Congress voting on it in 1996). He hasn’t, so it’s time to amplify our voice to make sure he hears us.
Below is a note we at the Courage Campaign sent to our members in Rhode Island, and which our coalition partners will also be doing shortly. If you’re a Rhode Islander, or know someone who is, please take a minute to make a call and ask Sen. Reed to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act.
Dear Adam,
Last month, you signed our letter to Sen. Reed asking him to support repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. At a press conference the next day, Sen. Reed said, “I’m looking very carefully at it…I think it merits a careful study and that’s what I’m doing and I’m going to do it quickly so that I can come to a conclusion.”
That was nearly a month ago. This issue has been around for years. Now, we have a critical Sen. Judiciary Committee vote coming up next month. All the other members of the Rhode Island delegation and 31 other Senate Democrats are on-board. What’s taking Sen. Reed so long?
Last week, along with our allies at Ocean State Action, Marriage Equality Rhode Island and Freedom to Marry, we met with his staff in Providence and DC to deliver your signatures and talk about DOMA repeal. We told them about constituents in Rhode Island who work hard and pay their taxes, but are treated differently than other couples. Couples like Beth and Elizabeth of North Smithfield, who throw away over $7,000 a year on individual health insurance because DOMA prevents Beth from adding Elizabeth, her legal spouse and love of 26 years, onto her federal health plan.
Maybe Sen. Reed isn’t hearing us because the National Organization for Marriage has launched their own effort to convince Sen. Reed that DOMA is right for Rhode Islanders. If that’s the case, we can’t let our voice be drowned out by homophobes and liars.
That’s why it’s time to pick up the phone. Call Sen. Reed today and urge him to support DOMA repeal!
Thanks for all you’re doing,Adam Bink
Director of Online Programs, Courage Campaign
Having technical problems? E-mail equalityontrial AT couragecampaign DOT org for assistance!
14 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Ronnie | October 26, 2011 at 8:12 am
Subscribing & sharing…..
Rachel Maddow Rips NOM for Photo Theft, Crowd Size Lies: VIDEO: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/10/maddownom.html
& Today's 2011 LGBT History Month Icon….
“I thought, when I was a kid, that my mother and father would be devastated if I ever told them I was gay." ~ Dan Savage, an award winning author, journalist, newspaper editor & political commentator. in 2010 he launched the "It Gets Better" project to combat bullying & prevent suicides. Read more about him here: http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/dan-savage?tab=bi…
<3…Ronnie:
[youtube JjD7-u6CztU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjD7-u6CztU youtube]
2.
New | October 26, 2011 at 8:14 am
Rachel Maddow: Anti-gay marriage group (aka NOM) fakes support with doctored photos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCjOU3abnTM&fe…
3.
Ann S. | October 26, 2011 at 8:15 am
§
4.
loaferguy | October 26, 2011 at 8:50 am
Anti-gay rights Christian groups fear harassment after California disclosure ruling
http://coloradoindependent.com/103885/anti-gay-ri…
5.
DaveP | October 26, 2011 at 8:53 am
I'm wondering – is there any action that can be taken by folks who don't live in Rhode Island?
6.
Elizabeth_Oakes | October 26, 2011 at 9:30 am
They fear lots of things that don't exist, like Hell.
7.
Ronnie | October 26, 2011 at 9:31 am
Mo’Nique Joins Americans for Marriage Equality Campaign: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/10/2…
“I believe since we’ve all been given free will, let’s use our will to let others be free….Gay and lesbian couples, they believe in commitment, family and love. If you don’t believe me, did you happen to notice that all that’s being asked for is the right to be married, which ironically promotes commitment, family and love? Join me and support marriage equality. It’s the right thing to do.” ~ Mo'Nique
<3…Ronnie:
[youtube nFdy0pLaYSY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFdy0pLaYSY youtube]
8.
AnonyGrl | October 26, 2011 at 9:41 am
If I could post on NOM's blog (I can't… though I continue to try) I would put THIS in response to their "fear of harrassment" crap. I would encourage EVERYONE who is out and comfortable with the idea to do the same.
"My name is Vienna Hagen and I support marriage equality. If you support something else… stand up and SAY it. If you are too ashamed of your position to stand up and give your name and admit to having it, you should STOP PUSHING that position!!!"
Call them on their own crap. I am not afraid of someone having my name. I am NOT ashamed of standing up and saying what I believe in. I DON'T have to hide behind anonymity. And yes, the irony of using the handle "AnonyGrl" does not escape me, but when it comes down to brass tacks, I am not afraid or ashamed to tell the world who I am. I expect that saying this will get me EXACTLY as much harassment as releasing that list of names will get them, precisely NONE.
9.
AdamK | October 26, 2011 at 11:30 am
I don't think I've ever met anybody who lives in Rhode Island.
10.
Steve | October 26, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Religions are built on fear. Most fundamentally, the fear of death, which is natural, but they also invent a lot of fears.
It's a frighteningly effective way to control people and has also always been exploited in politics. Singling out and demonizing a group of people (be it another religion, ethnic group or whatever minority you want) gives your own followers something to rally and bond around
11.
Alan_Eckert | October 26, 2011 at 2:01 pm
∞
12.
karen in kalifornia | October 26, 2011 at 2:33 pm
MERI , short for Marriage Equality Rhode Island. http://www.marriageequalityri.org/blog/post/meri_…
Here's a link to their post about the signature delivery. Check out their facebook. I've found their website to be lacking.
13. Prop 8 Trial Tracker &raq&hellip | January 10, 2012 at 4:02 pm
[...] been vocal in the past about getting Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed to sign on to DOMA repeal, which the [...]
14. Prop 8 Trial Tracker &raq&hellip | May 9, 2012 at 5:22 pm
[...] written before about Senator Jack Reed’s slow evolution on the issue of repealing the Defense of Marriage [...]
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