Re: OT: Same-sex marriage and Thanksgiving

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Peter J) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> http://www.ngltf.org/news/release.cfm?releaseID=604
> 
> Monday, November 24, 2003 
> Talk Turkey with Your Family and Friends This Thanksgiving 
> 
> MEDIA CONTACT:
> NGLTF Communications Department
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 323-857-8751
> 
> 
> A joint statement from the Federation of Statewide LGBT Advocacy Organizations,
> Freedom to Marry, Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts, National Gay and
> Lesbian Task Force and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
> (PFLAG).
> 
> 
> The highest court in Massachusetts has granted the right of civil marriage to
> same-sex couples. The court gave the state's legislature up to 180 days to make
> this happen. 
> 
> In response, anti-gay organizations across the nation have gone into overdrive,
> mobilizing thousands of their supporters to contact members of Congress and
> state legislators. Their goal is to bombard legislators during the
> Thanksgiving/December recess with demands that they move anti-marriage
> legislation as soon as they go back to work early in 2004. It is critical that
> those who support fairness and equality for same-sex couples make our voices
> heard.
> 
> Over the next few days, many of us will be fortunate enough to celebrate
> Thanksgiving with loving families and straight friends. Because we so rarely
> talk about it, most relatives and friends have no idea how few rights lesbian,
> gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have or that the religious and
> political right are launching a vicious and dehumanizing campaign against us
> under the guise of the "threat of gay marriage." Moreover, most of us have
> never asked our family and friends to take a stand for us.
> 
> Now is that time. The next few weeks are a critical moment in the struggle for
> full equality. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, summon up the courage to reach
> out your family and friends and ask for their help. Let each one of them know
> what's going on and the way in which our lives are being distorted for
> political gain. Let each one of them know that this is not some abstract,
> political debate. No - let them know that it's personal, that it affects you,
> your future, your civil rights, and the lives of people close to you. Ask each
> one of them to stand beside you and to speak out for you when the attacks and
> jokes come.
> 
> And finally, ask each one of them to contact their state legislators and their
> representatives in Washington to oppose all efforts to ban same-sex marriage,
> including the so-called "Federal Marriage Amendment." The best would be having
> your family members and friends request meetings with their elected officials
> in their home districts. (Phone numbers for home district offices can be found
> in the blue pages of your phone book or, for state legislators, by calling your
> Secretary of State's office, and for Congress by calling the Congressional
> switchboard at 202-224-3121.) Most state legislatures are recessed for the rest
> of the year, and Congress will be on break for most of December and January.
> The anti-gay groups are mobilizing thousands to meet with their elected
> officials right now; supporters of equality for same-sex couples must do the
> same.
> 
> If you aren't able to see family and friends in person, give them a call or
> send them the attached request as a letter or e-mail (which you can also use as
> a sample script). Also, please make sure you, too, have made these calls to
> your state and Congressional representatives.
> 
> SAMPLE LETTER, E-MAIL OR SCRIPT: 
> 
> Dear Family Member or Close Friend, 
> 
> I appreciate and value the love you have shown me over the years. I've rarely
> talked about the kind of discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual and
> transgender (LGBT) people face in this country, and I've never asked for you to
> stand up for me in ending this discrimination. Now, this Thanksgiving, I need
> your help. 
> 
> Using the so-called "threat" of gay marriage, the religious and political right
> are launching an unprecedented campaign ban marriage equality for same-sex
> couples and other, more limited forms of family recognition, including civil
> unions and domestic partnerships. Their vicious campaign is based on lies and
> distortions about LGBT people, and that includes me. Please stand with me and
> for me by doing two things over the next few days:
> 
> 1. Call or write your Member of Congress and your two U.S. Senators. Ask them
> to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment (H.J. Res. 56), which would ban
> same-sex marriage and prevent courts from mandating even the most basic
> benefits, such as domestic partner health benefits and hospital visitation
> rights. The Congressional switchboard is 202-224-3121. If you aren't sure who
> your Congressperson and two Senators are, please call the Congressional
> switchboard or go to www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
> 
> 2. Call your state representative/assembly member and state senator. Ask them
> to support equal treatment of same-sex couples and to oppose efforts to ban
> same-sex partner recognition in your state. If there is a specific anti-gay
> bill or proposed constitutional amendment pending, please mention that bill or
> amendment. You may be able to get this information by contacting your local or
> state LGBT rights organization. A list of these is posted at
> http://federationlgbt.org/Members/members.html
> 
> Thank you for being there for me when I need your help.
> -30-
> 
> Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national
> organization working to eliminate prejudice, violence, discrimination and
> injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people at the local,
> state and national level. The Task Force trains activists and leaders and
> organizes broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-gay referenda and advance
> pro-GLBT legislation. The Task Force Policy Institute, the community's premiere
> think tank, researches and reports on critical policy issues. As part of a
> broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, the Task
> Force is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human
> expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. 
> 
> ------- 
> (straight or gay - be proud, be informed, be active, fight the FMA) 
> http://www.ngltf.org/ - National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
> http://equalmarriage.org/index.php
> http://www.hrc.org/ - Human Rights Campaign

It's really just so ironic given how much traditional family holiday
gatherings have a part to play in gays coming out to their own
fam/friends, or not going home for the holidays, or not being welcome,
or being made to feel you have several large green heads ...