Reminder to log in tomorrow to see what the blogosphere has to say about the PA "Marriage Amendment." I do not know how many blogs are participating, but I hope we can count on your support.  Please consider updating your Facebook status or Twitter status and it would be great if you change your Facebook and/or Twitter profile pic to use our image on Monday. 

Need some motivation? Darryl Metcalfe is running for Lt. Governor.

I'm still mulling over my post. 

Here's the logo.

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. 

From the Washington Post comes the touching love story of the first same sex couple to apply for a marriage license in DC.  They wed today.

"This is for everyone who wants to get married," she says. She used to run a support group for black LGBT women and would end sessions by inviting everyone to submit questions for the group to talk about. One day she unfolded a slip of paper that read, "I feel like committing suicide, but I'm scared." To this day, whenever Young is out, she looks for the writer of that note. She has never seen her.

"I am doing this because I love my partner and we deserve to be married," Young says. "But I am also doing this because the first one is always the hardest."

Someone has to pave the way. She still may run into that woman, and if she does she wants to be able say, "Now, sweetheart. Now you can come through the door."

sdf

Now is the time, according to Thomas C. Waters, for you to have a significant impact on the attempt to move the "Marriage Protection" amendment out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Check out his blog for details.

Two quick side notes of interest.

Senator Barry Stout's seat is up for grabs as he retires.  Stout voted to move the marriage amendment out of committee in 2008.  One strong contender for the seat is House Rep Tim Solobay who was one of a very few Western PA Democrats to vote AGAINST a similar amendment in 2006 (the House did not vote on this issue in 2008). I have a list of his district so now is also a chance to identify and elect an ally to reclaim a Senate seat from those who believe we should add discrimination to the PA Constitution.

One of cosponsors of this bill is a Western PA Democrat, Senator Kasunic from the Fayette/Westmoreland/Washington county area. Now is a good time to follow the link to see if you have friends or family in that neck of the woods.  Now is a good time to make those real time phone calls (as opposed to email) so he knows what his constituents think about him being front and center in promoting discrimination.

Great piece from Sally on the need for good laws to help families of all types step up when crisis happens.

sdf

It is exhilerating that we could drive a mere 4 hours and get married, even if it would not be recognized in Pennsylvania. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/02/AR2010030203351.html

Congratulation to our advocates, allies and resident of Washington, DC on a truly historic day. 

ps:  today is the first day that same sex couples can apply for marriage licenses. 

Just a little hint.  If you are contemplating holiday purchases, two excellent local businesses that are owned by members of our community (and employ others) are worth your consideration.

A Pleasant Present is a great little gift store in Squirrel Hill. They sell a wide array of rainbow/pride merchandise and tons of other stuff.  We buy all of our gift baskets there ... they can do a wide range of themes.  Michael is a huge supporter of the community -- he sells tons of tickets, passes and so forth for nothing in return.  He advertises in local newsletters and newspapers.  He employs individuals from our community. If you are one of those people who says "I haven't been to A Pleasant Present in a long time," now is the time.  Stop in to pick up some gay themed cards or order a great gift for some hard to please person in your life.  The prices are very competitive and the service is excellent. 

K.S. Kennedy florist is on the Northside and has been a great find for us.  We go there for all floral needs and the prices are great.  Kerry Kennedy has proven to be a great friend and concerned member of the community.  He has all sorts of fun side stuff, like barbecue sauce.   You never know what you are going to find.  Again, you'll be supporting a family owned business and Kerry sells organically grown roses.  Who can beat that?  If you are sending flowers to your mom or need a wreath, check out K.S. Kennedy.

(Then go to Hoi Polloi.  I have to throw that in b/c someone at the Summit I attended asked me about the lesbian owned coffee house I'm always blogging about.  So now I'm going to work it in even more often!)

By now, you've probably read that gay marriage is legal in Connecticut.  Technically, the Supreme Court overturned a gay marriage ban.  This has been in my inbox for several days as I've pondered what I could possibly add to the debate. I'm part of a national LGBT blogging email list and my inbox has probably 700 messages on this topic.  From people who pretty much agree on the topic. 

It is a big year for gay marriage.  A tough year.  California legalized it, but is facing the mother of all battles over a ballot initiative to de-gay the constitution.  Arizona, the only state to successfully beat down such an amendment at the polls, is facing it once again.  Florida also has it at the ballot box.  Most of the monies are flowing into California on the conventional wisdom that defeating the proposition keeps marriage legal which is a step ahead of paving the way to legalize gay marriage.  And some people really are stupid enough to vote against the Prop (the good vote) because Brad Pitt donated money (to the good side). 

I had lunch with Tony Norman yesterday (name drop!) and he is of the opinion that the imminent election of Barack Obama will signify a culture shift of epic proportions in American society.  Apparently, Tony opines, the homos will be along for the ride as we chatted about passing an inclusive ENDA and eliminating Don't Ask, Don't Tell. 

What comes to mind when I think about the opportunity to marry Ledcat is purely financial and legal.  I've never even entertained the romantic and symbolic aspects. I watch my parents age with very little of a safety net and wonder how our interdependence will play itself out without even that safety net (Social Security survivor benefits, etc).  We are secure with health insurance right now, but one small change in our employment situation could negate that security.  It is a little scary.  But then again marriage didn't do my grandmother too good ... after grandpap died, she garned a $78 monthly pension and no health insurance.  Plus, the realization that she had been merrily charging (and paying) for years solely on his credit so she had none.  Scary.

Legalized gay marriage isn't on the radar for Pennsylvania and that's fine with me.  We have enough attention on this issue as the fracture point for the entire Western Kingdom of the Episcopal Church. I'm sure I'll be following how the divorce settlement turns into an ugly example of why "marriage" isn't such a holy union in all cases.

Pam's House Blend does a wonderful summary is you are interested in what the national LGBT groups are saying about this court decision (and the wingnuts, too).

The Post-Gazette's "Next Page" featured a fascinating article on the implementation of deliberative polling around marriage issues. 

My interpretation of this process is that it strives to create an informed voter, rather than create systemic changing dialogue grounded in consensus. 

At the core of deliberative polling lies the belief that to develop an informed opinion citizens need two things: access to balanced information and the opportunity to engage in deliberation with a range of alternative views.

Sounds interesting.  Proponents of gay-rights have long argued that when our opponents get to know us, they will experience our issues in a personal way that should overcome the us/them dichotomy. 

Saturday's event is sort of an all-day education session.  Participants have homework, they engage in small groups and they learn the facts about the history of marriage in our culture.  I'm going to read that booklet myself.  At the end of the day, participants will be polled for their individual views, not a collective decision.  That polling data will be made public. 

The poll is designed to have a policy impact, presumably by turning out informed voters (and informing their networks).  I wonder about the choice of this issue.  Neither Presidential candidate is in favor of gay marriage and the issue is fairly dormant in Pennsylvania.  Equal protection would seem more fitting since it has legislative life.  However, those pesky State House elections remind us of the importance of retaining as many progressive reps as possible.  As progressive as Pennsylvania goes. 

This strikes me more as an intellectual exercise on a hot button issue, but not necessarily a Pennsylvania issue.