I don't often pull over in the middle of the work day to make a phone call, but today was an exception.  When I received an email about a potential vote on the so-called "Marriage Protection" amendment, I dialed fellow blogger Maria Lupinacci of 2 Political Junkies and asked her to help me organize a blog swarm on the topic.  Within minutes, she agreed and a few hours later, had a logo in my inbox.  See earlier post for that! 

We have a chance to "make some history" folks, according to the ACLU.  Twice this amendment has come up in the Senate and both times it was defeated by procedural maneuvers.  It has never been simply voted down. 

This year, we have a chance to get that vote down once and for all so the Senate can focus on the business of governing this Commonwealth instead of monitoring my family like we are terrorists.  Remember that 100+ day delay with last year's budget?  Should we really waste a precious moment of the months leading up to budget negotiations on an issue that has already been legislatively addressed by the Pennsylvania DOMA? 

Here's what you can do.

This is a list of the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee.  Maybe you recognize a name or two?

Who to call.  Call the Harrisburg office (use your cell phone). Email messages are not going to work on this one. 

Mary Jo White  (717) 787-9684 Butler (part), Clarion, Erie (part), Forest, Venango and Warren (part) Counties

** Special note that Senator White has spoken against this amendment in the past.  Please thank her for that and ask her to vote no. This is a vote that can make an impact **

Jane Earll  (717) 787-8927  Erie (part) County

Jane Orie  (717) 787-6538  Allegheny (part) and Butler (part) Counties 

Our friends who always appreciate a thank you

Jay Costa (717) 787-7683 Allegheny County

Wayne Fontana (717) 787-5300  Allegheny County

This is quite important.  Many of the folks in this committee use Facebook, Twitter and so forth.  I have a list here. Use social media to spread the word to your friends, family and contacts. Update your FB status.

We have an unprecedented 5 day (including the weekend) window to make contact with these Senators.  I know you know gay folks and allies up in Jane Orie's district.  Don't write her off.  Let her know you are paying attention.  Never underestimate yourself. 

This is now a sticky post to remain at the top of the blog until Blog for Equality Day is Over. Read below for more current posts

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Back in 2008, 14 Pittsburgh blogs participated in our first Blog for Equality event to speak out against the attempt by the Pennsylvania Senate to amend our constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, the so-called "Marriage Protection" Amendment.  The "blog swarm" as it is sometimes described was successful, albeit not singlehandedly responsible for the failure of that legislation to make it out of committee. 

Still, you might like to revist what the 14 bloggers had to say in 2008.

Fast forward two years.  The Senate is once again discussing this issue and we anticipate a vote in the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 16, 2010.  More details from the ACLU of PA:

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 707 next Tuesday, March 16, at 11:30am.  As you know, SB 707 is the latest incarnation of a state constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage.

 

Like many controversial, close votes, this could go either way.

 

It's not hyperbole to say that we have a chance to make history.  We have never won an up-or-down vote on the marriage amendment.  We've beaten this in the past by winning procedural maneuvers.  But now we have that chance.  Let's make the most of it.

So I am announcing Blog for Equality Pittsburgh 2010.  I ask my comrade bloggers throughout the region (and the Commonwealth) to dedicate one post on Monday, March 15, 2010 to the topic of this amendment. 

We have an official Blog for Equality Pittsburgh 2010 button for you to add to your post (h/t 2pj Maria)

html is:

<p><a href="http://www.pghlesbian.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/11/4477944.html"><img src=" http://www.pghlesbian.com/B4E2010.jpg" /></a><p>

If you'll send me a link, I'll update this page with a permanent archive of bloggers speaking out against embedding discrimination into our Constitution.  The swarm is open to any and all bloggers so please spread the word.  You don't have to be gay to disapprove of discrimination and you certainly don't have to have a politial blog to participate in a day of action. We have an unprecedented opportunity to vote NO on discrimination and allow the State Senate to move forward on the critical issues all of our families face.

More later on how you can help make sure this amendment is not voted out of committee. 

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Participating blogs

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents - Sue

Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents - Ledcat

2 Mums and a Boy

A Spork in the Drawer

Lucy & Ethel Have a Baby

Adam and Steve

2 Political Junkies - Maria

2 Political Junkies - David

Infinonymous

Jason Cable's GLBT Podcast and Blog

Froth Slosh B'Gosh

The Pennsylvania Progressive

Ms. Mon's Salon

No Longer the World's Slowest Blog

DealSnob

JaySays.com

Pgh Is a City

after the bridge

NGBlog

The Narrative in the Blog

Cognitive Dissonance in Pittsburgh and Beyond

Amadi Talks

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat

The Dallas Voice is covering the vote.

Keystone Progress is on top of the issue.

Philly.com weighs in on the impending vote.

The Lehigh Valley Independent weighs in with their local angle.

Info from Change.Org on Gay Rights

And MyGov365.com which is still in beta is gathering feedback on the bill to pass along. I've been a beta tester and they were responsive enough to modify LGBT information already.

We have a shout out from Pam's House Blend via twitter ....

Local blogger Thomas Waters has been writing about this topic all month and has this post up with general information on the legislation.

On the other hand ... The National Organization for Marriage has a post up, too.