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CONNECTICUT FRIENDS & FAMILY
Working for LGBT equality!
FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR ...........
BREAKING NEWS ................
Anne Stanback's press statement on Sunday's anti gay rally at the Capitol
Download here
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Atty. General Richard Blumenthal urges Connecticut citizens to Vote NO on a Constitutional Convention at a Capitol press conference on 9/16/08 Photo by Glenn Koetzner
Injecting Chaos Into Democracy
The Hartford Courant
By Rick Green
September 23, 2008
I really want to support this idea of bringing more democracy to our state. That's the essence of a campaign that will ask voters in November whether we should hold a constitutional convention. Supporters want such a convention to amend the constitution to allow for something called "direct initiative," whereby citizens could petition to force a vote on pretty much anything they want.
Read more
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Taking Sides on a Constitutional Convention
The New York Times
By GREGORY B. HLADKY
October 3, 2008
A deceptively simple question on Connecticut’s ballot next month is stirring up rallies against gay marriage, counterdemonstrations, demands for direct initiatives and fears of big-money lobbying campaigns by right-wing groups.Voters will be asked whether the state should hold its first constitutional convention in more than 40 years.
Read more
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FaithAction Calls for Marriage Equality Training
Love Makes a Family’s New Program for People of Faith
New England Blade
By Racquel Mailloux-Morin
October 02, 2008
Love Makes a Family, a Connecticut GLBT equality organization, is initiating a new program to advocate for marriage equality. FaithAction offers a series of training sessions for people of all faiths. “The training sessions are designed for active lay people in congregations,” says Obadiah Ballinger, LMF religious organizer. “We’re hoping to share resources and information and sort of inspire people for brainstorming ideas.”
Read more
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GOP Chair, Gay RIghts Advocates Clash
New Haven Independent
by Melissa Bailey
October 2, 2008
“I don’t see the equality,” Tina Pacheco called out to the chairman of the state Republican Party. “I’m yelling as loud as I can.” The chairman stood his ground and drowned her out.
Read more
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Be Careful What You Wish For
The Hartford Courant
Letters
September 28, 2008
Rick Green's snapshot of the forces pushing the constitutional convention question was right on target [ Connecticut section, Sept. 23, "Injecting Chaos Into Democracy"]. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut agrees with him. Will those special interest groups — pressing voters to approve a constitutional convention — present balanced views of their hot-button issues? Will they tell Connecticut voters what the long-term financial consequences of initiative and referendum could be? We doubt it.
Read more
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Preserving California’s Constitution
The New York Times
Opinion
September 28, 2008
California voters will have a chance in November to protect the rights of gay men and women, and to preserve the state’s Constitution. They should vote against Proposition 8, which seeks to amend that Constitution to prevent people of the same sex from marrying.
Read more
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Top Democrats oppose constitutional convention
The Hartford Courant
Associated Press
September 17, 2008
HARTFORD, Conn. - Two of the state's top elected officials urged voters Wednesday to reject a proposal on the November ballot for a convention to consider changing the Connecticut Constitution. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Comptroller Nancy Wyman, both Democrats, appeared at the state Capitol rally Wednesday with a coalition of 30 groups, including labor organizations and gay marriage activists.
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DID YOU KNOW?.................
“It appears that fear of true civil rights and equality is what is driving supporters of the convention; not inclusion, diversity, equality, and the greater good for all.”
--Joanne Mock, lead plaintiff in Kerrigan & Mock et al vs. CT Dept of Public Health, in a Hartford Courant letter to editor, on the campaign by anti-gay organizations to hold a constiutional convention to amend Connecticut's constitution to exclude same-sex couples from marriage (9/4/08)
STAFF FAVORITES................
Are you another union member for marriage equality?
Be a visible part of the ever-growing labor-based support for fair treatment of same-sex couples! Check out union-made and newly-designed Pride At Work t-shirts and bumper stickers that proudly proclaim your dedication to equality. Visit this link to purchase one for yourself!
THE FACTS .........................
- Comprehensive national survey on transgender discrimination launched by National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Respond to the survey online HERE.
“This is an absolutely critical national effort. We urge all transgender and gender non-conforming people to take the survey to help guide us in making better laws and policies that will improve the quality of life for all transgender people. We need everyone’s voice in this, everyone’s participation.” — Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
- How to Get Married In MA (GLAD, August 2008)
Read more
- In Response to the CA marriage decision, LGBT Organizations Urge Couples Marrying in California to “Make Change, Not Lawsuits”
Read more
IMPORTANT LINKS ...............
Civil Union Information
Educational Resources
Research Reports
Intern at LMF
THE TOP TEN THINGS ..............
The Top 10 Things You Can Do to Help Win the Freedom to Marry for Same-Sex Couples in Connecticut
Read More
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Send us your photo! We’d love your photo for our home page. Send it to carol@lmfct.org and be a “Face of Equality!”
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Visit LMF on Facebook
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LMF PAC has announced our endorsed candidates for the Nov. 4th election! Click here to see the complete list of candidates!
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LMF is Hiring! PRO-EQUALITY CANVASSERS Needed
Click HERE for details
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It's time YOU took the Vote NO pledge! Click here to reject attempts by our opponents to ban marriage rights for same-sex couples.
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Sign up NOW for a FaithAction Training near you! Click here for more info.
UPCOMING EVENTS..............
HARTFORD: Forum at the University of Hartford, October 21, 7pm. "Amending the Connecticut Constitution: Opening up a Pandora's Box?" Hear from "Vote No" coalition members, including Love Makes a Family's Anne Stanback, on how a constitutional convention would effect marriage equality, worker's rights, and a women's right to choose.
HARTFORD: Campaign Training, October 7th, 6pm
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HARTFORD: Every Thursday is Volunteer Night! 5pm-9pm
Community Organizing Meetings:
FAIRFIELD: October 8th, 6:30pm
NORFOLK: October 14th, 6:30pm
HARTFORD: Youth Sign Making Night, October 19th, 3-6pm
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Norwalk: Octoberfiesta to Benefit LMF! Saturday, October 18th, 7pm. Get your invitation now!
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West Hartford: Third Annual! Women, Wine & Chocolate
Friday, October 24th, 7pm. LMF women raise $$ for equality!
TransPlantations is coming to New Haven! November 13, 14, and 15th. Click here for ticket info.
 MULTIMEDIA...............................
Did you know you can now watch Marriage Makes A Word of Difference right on our website? Winner of an Audience Award at the 2008 CT Gay Lesbian Film Festival--you won't want to miss it! Watch it here.
NIANTIC: Come to a film screening of Marriage Makes a Word of Difference! Sunday, Oct. 19th, 10:30am, Niantic Community Church
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Harvard University’s Rev. Peter Gomes, a Baptist Minister, answers the question, “Would Jesus Support Gay Marriage?”
CA Senator Barbara Boxer says marriage equality doesn’t threaten her marriage!
Vote NO in November to preserve same-sex marriage rights
State Rep Beth Bye’s (West Hartford) eloquent and moving statement on why civil unions are not enough for her and her partner. Rep. Bye was speaking to her colleagues on the Judiciary Committee in April, 2007. They were about to vote on the marriage equality bill (the bill passed, but was withdrawn before a full vote in the House of Representatives).
Equality and the Economy
Levi’s Joins Fight to Defeat Marriage Ban (Forbes)
Steven Spielberg Donates Money to Support Gay Marriage (New York Times)
Pepsi Gives $500,000 to Gay Group (Queerty blog)
Smoother Transitions (New York Times)
Transgender employers are being increasingly protected by their employers’ nondiscrimination policies
From ‘Ponyhawk’ to Hawking Insurance (New York Times)
Nationwide Insurance has new ads targeting gay consumers
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Proud member of
Community Works of Connecticut
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