Friends: Let the crazy begin. Hopefully, this won't ruin anyone's holidays but it appears from the attached memo that the battle will begin early in 2011. What I am providing is a copy of a memo from one of our chief opponents, Rep. Darryl Metcalfe, calling on his legislative colleagues to sign on as co-sponsors of his soon-to-be-introduced constitutional amendment on marriage. Of course, most of us knew this was coming. However, we didn't think he would end-up as the chair of the committee that oversees this legislation though. Yes, as an added bonus he will be taking over the Committee on State Government come early January. A turn of events that will make the next few months an adventure to say the least.
Rest assured that EQPA is preparing for this battle, and that we will need all your help. Advice, manpower, donations, helping to plan strategy, all of these items will be necessary as we work together to protect our community. The good news is that we have allies and the vast majority of voters have clearly stated time and again that people were elected to deal with the economy NOT social issues. We intend to remind everyone who will listen on that point. However, we know that we do not control the agenda.
Sincerely,
Ted Martin
Executive Director
Equality Pennsylvania
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IMHO, Pennsylvania is going to have to grapple with the grassroots v Gay, Inc issues pretty damn quickly to muster the forces on this one. I clearly do not support this legislation, but neither do I support a gay agenda driven by insider monied gay men and I don't think I should have to choose. Prepare for an ugly, ugly spring as the community wrestles with the meaning of all that went into the repeal of DADT and the fallout for LGBT organizing. While we must rally, we must also have our eyes wide open that our own best interests may lay in our grassroots work, not just the work of Gay, Inc.
