Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

In case you are not aware, North Carolina residents are set to vote on a constitutional amendment that would define marriage and deny marriage equality. It is called Amendment One.

This week, progressive bloggers across the nation are shining attention on this battle and encouraging folks to financially support the cause so we can get our messages on the airwaves will they will reach the most people. The data shows that most people don’t want to embed discrimination into their constitution. But the other side is better funded.  Still this is winnable. And it would be a tremendous victory to fight back the amendment at the ballot box.

From Pam’s House Blend

Today the Coalition to Protect All NC Families launches a week-long moneybomb to get over the $1,000,000 mark. Activists around the country — and the blogosphere — are stepping up this week to spread the word that North Carolina’s battle to defeat the bigotry of Amendment One is winnable — and this is the week to pitch in to reach a fundraising milestone.

Pam is a North Caroline resident. She and her family donated $1,000 which is a very huge sacrifice and commitment to equality. Other bloggers have joined her because Pam has always been there when we’ve needed her to stand up for our equality, our battles, our rights.

It is important to note that this amendment will bar the recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships. If your family relies on a domestic partnership to access health insurance and other family benefits, that would no longer be an option. My family relies on this recognition from the City of Pittsburgh.

Protect All NC Families has raised nearly $1 million. You can help – whether you live in NC or ND or PA – by donating through ActBlue.

Why does this matter to those of us in Pennsylvania?

Raising $1,000,000 will send a message to everyone in North Carolina and across the country that we are in this campaign to win. We’re not aiming for a symbolic victory; we intend to send this amendment down in defeat and protect all families of North Carolina.

For the past six years that I’ve been blogging, Pennsylvania has faced year after year of proposed constitutional amendments. The State House actually approved one version which, thankfully, did not pass the Senate. The issue has been pretty much contained to the committee for the past several sessions, but we cannot assume anything. A significant change in the Pennsylvania political power lines may mean dire things for us in the coming years.

A win in North Carolina is a win for us. It is a reminder that public attitudes are changing. People reject hate and bigotry being enshrined in the hallmark of their state freedoms and liberties.  This blog post lays out the multitude of supporters across the nation that are rising up to defend North Carolina from bigotry.

Including President Obama.

“While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples,” said Cameron French, his North Carolina campaign spokesman.

“That’s what the North Carolina ballot initiative would do – it would single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples – and that’s why the President does not support it.”  

I ask you to donate to North Carolina because it *is* a stand for Pennsylvania.  Defeating Amendment One in North Carolina will be a tremendous blow to future attempts to introduce similar ballot initiatives in Pennsylvania.

This is how you can help:

1. Contact anyone you know who actually lives in North Carolina and ask them to make a small financial donation and to speak out against the Amendment. The more voices within the state that speak out, the better.
2. Please make a donation yourself. Every dollar matters to get the message out across the state.
3. Use social media to share your message and encourage others to do the same.

Sample Tweets

Stand with @protectNC to defeat #amendment1 in #NC – #firstinfight moneybomb https://secure.actblue.com/page/ncmoneybomb

Please know that North Carolina is our battle. Your $10 can make a tremendous impact. Making time to reach out to your cousin, college roommate and others who are North Carolina residents can make an impact – if they know you and love you, surely they will make a few moments to stand up to bigotry in their own state.

I don’t have much of a rainy day fund myself. I am also struggling with health issues and I am volunteering to run a full-time project. But I have met Pam and I have followed her detailed coverage of this issue for a long time. Her commitment and her passion touch me and I simply want her family to be valued, not attacked.

If you don’t read her blog, you should. Yes, Pam writes about equality and LGBT issues, but she’s also very much a lover of pit bulls and her coverage on racism and feminism are top notch. Support Pam and Kate, their family and their neighbors.