Are you mad about the 'No on 1' vote in Maine?
Are you mad about the "No on 1" vote in Maine that took away the rights LGBT Mainers to get married? You should be, because it's the first time that a law passed by the legislation, giving rights to the LGBT, was voted down by the people of the state.
You may feel as though you don't have any impact on what happens in Maine, but you do have an impact on what happens right here in Illionois. Heather Steans recently introduced a Marriage Equality Bill in the Illinois Senate - and if you think about it, the same thing that happened in Maine could happen here - no civil rights for the LGBT Community.
Join the Impact Chicago, the grassroots organization that sprung to life last year after Prop 8 was repealed in California will hold a rally Thursday at the James R Thompson Center at 5:30PM. Make a stand for yourself and a stand for Illinois!
Here's the press-release that was sent out earlier today:
On Thursday, November 5, 2009, Join the Impact Chicago (JTIC) is holding a rally at the James R. Thompson Center at 5:30 p.m. in response to the outcome of Question 1 in Maine. The event is to denounce discriminatory ballot measures that put the civil rights of a minority group to a popular vote, and to demand full marriage equality in all 50 states.
This past May, Maine became the fifth U.S. state to sign a bill into law that would allow same-sex marriages. Question 1 is a veto campaign launched by equal marriage opponents that will be on the Maine ballot Tuesday, November 3, 2009. If Question 1 passes, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Maine will be stripped of their marriage rights and JTIC's rally will be a protest against the continued discrimination of this minority group. If it does not, the rally will be celebrating a crucial battle won in a lengthy state-by-state war that will continue until the Defense of Marriage Act is repealed. No matter the outcome, the speakers at the rally will be focused on what people can do to help out in the fight to secure equal rights for all individuals.
"Tuesday's election is another example that equal rights isn't just a state by state issue--it's a federal issue," said Join the Impact Chicago organizers Matthew Zaradich and Megan Tucker. "This is our chance to reach out, across state borders, and demonstrate the impact one can make through solidarity. Until we have full and equal rights in this country, how can we call ourselves American?"
This rally is endorsed by the Gay Liberation Network, the Coalition for Justice and Respect, Affinity, the International Socialist Organization, Common Ground and LGBT Change.
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3 Comments
nullcrash said:
I live in Maine and proudly voted NO on question one yesterday. I am also ashamed to live in a state that would so clearly vote to oppress the civil rites of individuals. Everyone that voted Yes may as well tell black people to sit in the back of the bus and women that they can no longer vote....
Maine should be ashamed!!!!
gryzelda said:
I also live in Maine. I am ashamed and horrified that our state has voted to take away rights from our fellow citizens. I thought our state was fairer than this. The Catholic church, and the same groups that supported Prop 8 in CA, financed the YES vote to overturn the gay marriage law and turn our neighbors once again into "lesser" citizens. I do not know how the hate groups can be stopped. Maine has let the country down.
Joanie said:
I just really do not understand how the gay marriage opposition can justify their claim. It really, honestly doesn't make sense.
Marriage is a religious thing, sure, then why can straight atheist couples get married? It's ridiculous discrimination. I hope one day we can look back on this and laugh about how stupid everyone was.
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