Jon Stewart Ridicules Maine's Yes on 1 Campaign

I'm a little behind on a couple videos that I'll be posting today. But they're still very worth putting up. How could anyone pass up viewing Jon Stewart diss the homophobes?

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Can't Get Queer From Here
www.thedailyshow.com
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Election Aftermath: News Reports, Interviews, Opinions, Rants - Quite a Stir.

I'm a bit behind. Sorry folks. Lots to cover. Here's a roundup of the election aftermath.

Tony Perkins of the staunchly anti-LGBT Family Research Council and Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry appear on AC360 to discuss the defeat in Maine.



Dan Savage counters Yes on 1's claim that they don't hate gays on MSNBC.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

New Yorkers held a rally in Union Square on Wednesday night protesting Question 1's success in Maine. Currently, New York's Senate is supposed to vote on the state's marriage equality bill, but whether or not they will vote is still up in the air.



This MSNBC report is causing quite a stir due to the fact that the reporter used the anti-LGBT jargon "traditional marriage." However, the report itself does a good job of showing the consequences of Maine's Question 1. It includes an interview with a lesbian couple.



Contessa Brewer continues her reporting by interviewing Bishop Harry Jackson, the face of the opposition to same-sex marriage in Washington D.C. She asks the pertinent question, "People seem so energized to go out and fight same-sex marriage. why aren't they spending all that energy fighting divorce?" What a lame, hypocritical response.

She also brings up the half million the Catholic Church spent in Maine. Want to see who contributed? Go here.



Lisa Leff and David Crary write "Gay leaders blame TV ads, Obama for loss in Maine" for the AP:

Stunned and angry, national gay rights leaders Wednesday blamed scare-mongering ads - and President Barack Obama's lack of engagement - for a bitter election setback in Maine that could alter the dynamics for both sides in the gay-marriage debate.

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"President Obama missed an opportunity to state his position against these discriminatory attacks with the clarity and moral imperative that would have helped in this close fight," said Evan Wolfson of the national advocacy group Freedom to Marry. "The anti-gay forces are throwing millions of dollars into various unsubtle ads aimed at scaring people, so subtle statements from the White House are not enough."

The White House, asked about the criticism, had no immediate comment.

Go Evan.

My two cents: Obama hasn't been there much to back us up when we need him. Why should we be there for him when he extends his hand to us . . . palm up for cash?


Washington Post, "Gay groups say loss won't alter strategy":

For the gay rights movement, the defeat is another setback to its long-held strategy of building the case for marriage equality state by state. Historically, the tactics have been to target places where conditions seem favorable, and Maine, characterized by its governor as a libertarian state, seemed to fit that criterion.

Still, advocates say the strategy remains effective. They point to Tuesday's balloting in Kalamazoo, Mich., where voters approved an anti-discrimination ordinance that provides gays protections in employment, housing and public accommodations. Another victory appeared to be likely in Washington state, where incomplete returns indicate that a majority of voters have approved the legislature's expansion of domestic partnership rights.

Advocates say there was a partial victory even in Maine, where the vote was closer than it had been in previous campaigns.

"We're hopeful that it's a signal that there is increasing support for gay couples to marry," said Dan Hawes, field director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Nationally, we're going to continue education efforts to move the needle of public opinion, especially in California."

What do you think? Do you feel that we should keep going down this same road, engaging in a degrading referendum process that allows citizens to vote on each other's civil rights?

Wayne Besen at Truth Wins Out doesn't think so:

It is time we wake up and acknowledge that the GLBT fight for equality is the world’s first “Civil Likes” movement. Each year, a popularity contest is held somewhere on the map and if the locals find us likeable our families are protected. If the natives have a negative view of gay people, we remain second-class citizens.

Given this reality we have to make a major choice.

We can declare the current process a disgusting and humiliating insult to our humanity and opt out of all future referendums. The movement would make the case to the nation why such votes are anathema to American values and in the process educate people about our families and quest for equality. A powerful campaign of continued and sustainable civil disobedience would have to supplement this strategy.

Or, we can continue to participate in degrading referendums. But, if we do so, we have to stop pretending that the majority of the American people understand the U.S. Constitution, much less the notion of equality. Those who vote against GLBT rights simply do not like gay people and their antipathy, often masked by religious bigotry, overrides the idea of equal protection. What our public relations experts will have to figure out ways to make us more likeable [sic] and overcome such objections.

Wayne isn't alone. David Mixner is fed up with the current strategy.

How can we have any dignity, honor or pride in ourselves if we validate this continued process of ballot box terrorism? How can we stand tall next to each other if we explain away another's cowardliness? How can we allow people to dehumanize our relationships and our very integrity if we give people passes to sit out the battle for our very freedom? No longer are political timelines a reason for delay, no longer are incremental approaches acceptable and no longer can the political process expect us to be patient and wait our turn. Our turn came long ago and there will be no more waiting.

--------

New tactics must be embraced and honored. Civil disobedience must now be on the table and it is time for a long discussion about how it is to take place in the community. Perhaps we have to fill the jails, block military bases, sit in Congressional offices, block marriage bureaus, etc in order for them to know that business as usual has stopped. Careful and thoughtful consideration must be given now to this option.

-------

No longer can I stand before you in speeches and rallies urging you to stay the course. The course needs changing and we need to toughen up in the process. Yes, we must continue fighting but this time, instead of responding to their strategy, we must forge our own. Make no mistake about it. The days of acquiesce are over. There is no option except one at this stage and that is full equality now.

Freedom,Liberty,Justice are not mere words. They represent a way of life that is being denied to LGBT Americans every day of our lives.

Enough. No More, Enough

On a related note, read NY Times piece, "Gay Rights Rebuke May Change Approach."

I for one am hopeful about the federal challenge to Proposition 8. For the first time ever in a marriage case, there will be full-on public trial, including witness testimony and cross-examination of those behind these discriminatory initiatives to discover their true motives. (Presiding Judge Walker ordered the Yes on Prop 8 campaign to hand over internal communications in an effort to uncover motivation.)

If the Olson/Boies team can prove that these referendums, particularly Prop 8, are done purely out of animus towards the LGBT population, then the state of California will have no bearing interest and render Prop 8 unconstitutional. This would have a direct, nationwide effect.

(Read David Boies editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer, "Yes: It is a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution.")

It is expected that this case will go all the way to the Supreme Court. But the data discovered in the upcoming January trial will be examined. History in the making.

Countdown to Equality: 1 Day Left to Help Win 3 Critical LGBT Rights Campaigns!

Washington State:

Who we are: Approve Referendum 71 is the campaign to preserve domestic partnerships in Washington State. By voting to approve, voters retain the domestic partnership laws that were passed during this year's legislative session, including using sick leave to care for a partner, adoption rights, insurance rights, and more.

What we need: We need phone bankers to get our supporters out to vote. Washington is an all mail-in ballot state, and we need to ensure our supporters put their ballots in the mail. Also, youth turnout is a critical component of our campaign, and youth turnout historically drops in off-year elections. So we need a lot of help to turn them out.

How you do it: Sign up here to make remote calls for Approve 71. We'll then contact you for a training, and you can make GOTV calls.

Washington Voters: Check here to be sure your ballot is properly counted.

Maine:

Who we are: The No On 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign is working to protect Maine's recently-passed law legalizing marriage equality for same-sex couples. Our opponents have put the issue on the ballot for Nov 3, 2009. Because of Maine's early voting election laws, people are already voting at the polls, so we need help immediately to turn out our side at the polls.

What we need: We need you to devote a few hours to Call for Equality. Call for Equality is a virtual phonebank set up so that you can call Maine voters wherever you are. Much of Maine is rural, where canvassing isn't effective, so we need to reach these voters- along with other supporters- by phone. All you need is a phone and internet connection. No experience required! We'll provide the training, and all you need is a a few hours to help get a win in Maine.

How you do it: Click here to sign up for a training and your shift. There are lots of times available for your convenience.

Kalamazoo, MI:

Who We Are: The Yes on Ordinance 1856 / One Kalamazoo campaign is working in Michigan to support the City Commission of Kalamazoo's twice approved ordinance for housing, employment, and public accommodation protections for gay and transgender residents. Opponents forced a public referendum on the ordinance so dedicated local volunteers, led by former Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jon Hoadley, are working to ensure voters say YES to fairness and equality and keep Ordinance 1856.

Why The Urgency: In the final weeks, the opposition has gone all out with aggressive disinformation and misleading red herrings to try to defeat the ordinance. This includes signs that say "No to Discrimination" (even though voting No actually supports continued discrimination of GLBT residents), transphobic door hangers and fliers, and now radio ads that falsely suggest that criminal behavior will become legal when this simply isn't true. The Yes on Ordinance 1856 supporters are better organized but many voters who want to vote for gay and transgender people are getting confused by the opposition.

How To Help:

1) Help the One Kalamazoo campaign raise a final $10,000 specifically dedicated to fight back against the lies on the local TV and radio airwaves and fully fund the campaign's final field and GOTV efforts.

Give here: http://www.actblue.com/page/3-2-1-countdown

2) If you live nearby and can physically volunteer in Kalamazoo sign up here. If you know anyone that lives in Kalamazoo, use the One Kalamazoo campaign's online canvass tool to remind those voters that they need to vote on November 3rd and vote YES on Ordinance 1856 to support equality for gay and transgender people.

Contact voters: http://www.onekalamazoo.com/tellfriends2

Maine's Anti-Marriage Equality Campaign Caught in a Web of Hypocrisy

The NO on 1/Protect Marriage Equality campaign has called out the Yes on 1 camp, specifically the Catholic Church, for the hypocrisy in claiming they "support" domestic partnerships and using this as proof of their tolerance of gays, when in fact they opposed DPs when they were first introduced. (Oh, and it's the Catholic Church that's fighting Washington state's new DP law RIGHT NOW.)

This announcement from NO on 1 was spurred by the new opposition ad that shifted its tone from crying wolf about marriage equality being taught in schools to saying that gays and lesbians already have their civil rights.



Today, No on 1 held a press conference. (Video from America Blog)



This was coupled with the following press release.

Yes Campaign Ad Promoting Domestic Partnerships a Sham
Biggest Funders, Managers Opposed DP

Portland, Maine (October 30, 2009)---The NO on 1 campaign charged that the biggest backers and manager of the Yes campaign have opposed domestic partnerships for same-sex couples for years, even though their latest political ad promotes Maine's domestic partner registry.

After weeks of a paid advertising campaign that attacked Maine schools --attacks that were rejected by Maine newspapers, the Commissioner of Education, the Attorney General and others -- the Yes campaign released a new ad this week applauding the state's DP registry as sufficient to protect same-sex couples and their families.

But in fact, campaign manager Mark Mutty, as director of public affairs for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, opposed the DP registry bill both in 2003 and again in 2004 when it passed in the Maine Legislature. In addition, Mutty and others associated with the Yes campaign were silent on the alternative bill to the marriage equality legislation this spring which would have expanded the DP registry.

"This is the height of hypocrisy and double-talk," said Jesse Connolly, NO on 1 campaign manager. "Their new ad actually invokes domestic partnership as a solution, yet they're on record either directly or by their silence as opposing even this measure of protection."

In testimony submitted for the 2003 DP bill entitled "An Act to Promote the Financial Security of Maine's Families and Children," Mutty wrote and signed on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland:

"Our opposition to LD 1579 is foremost rooted in moral and ethical principles that are not only applicable to Catholics, but serve society well as a whole. However there are more practical considerations…Several attorneys who have reviewed this bill have indicated their strong conviction that such a drastic change in the code would lead to mass confusion in the courts and tie up probate claims for months without clear resolution. These are but a few of the perhaps unintended consequences that such a measure would bring to Maine."

"When I wrote Maine's domestic partner registry law, no group fought against it harder than the Roman Catholic Diocese," said former State Representative Benjamin Dudley, sponsor of the bill creating Maine's domestic partner registry. "Now the Diocese, through its campaign against marriage equality, says they 'want to be tolerant of gays' and stands behind the registry law they fought so hard to defeat. I'd call that the height of irony."

In addition, Maggie Gallagher, the president of the National Organization for Marriage, which has contributed at least $1.6 million to the Yes campaign, has long opposed both domestic partnerships and civil unions. In fact, Gallagher, in 2002 argued against DP benefits because they "erode the status" of marriage.

Finally, the principals of the Yes campaign were notably silent on a 2009 bill entitled, "An Act to Expand Rights for Maine Families," which would have expanded Maine's DP registry, and was proposed as an alternative to the marriage equality law.

"The Yes campaign in the final hours of this election can't simply reinvent itself and try to claim some sort of new platform," added Connelly. "The record shows that time and time again, they either opposed domestic partnerships or were silent on them, even when they were offered as an alternative to full marriage equality. This is nothing more than a Trojan horse and voters should not be fooled."

"The DP registry, in fact, has a few but not the hundreds of protections spouses receive under marriage," added Mary Bonauto, the civil rights director at GLAD and a member of NO on 1's executive committee. "Separate systems are not equal and never have been. Domestic partner laws simply don't apply to the things that allow you to take care of your partner or your children, and it is still impossible for many people to get a family policy of health insurance without getting married.

"Marriage offers protection in times of greatest need and crisis," added Bonauto. "Equality, family, protection and respect only come in one package, and that's marriage."

The local media has already picked up the story. Hopefully this will ring a bell with some of the voters - a reminder of the blatant hypocrisy of the Yes on 1 folks.

VIDEO: GLAD's Mary Bonauto Debates Yes on 1's Brian Souchet on Maine's Question 1

Maine is pretty incredible. They have been hosting near-daily public debates on Question 1 in an effort for all Mainers to hear both sides of the marriage equality issue.

GLAD's Mary Bonauto again represents NO on 1/Protect Marriage Equality in the debate against Yes on 1's Brian Souchet. The debate was hosted by Maine's southern ABC affiliate WGME.







See the earlier public debates here, here, here and here.

GET. INVOLVED!

News Roundup: Sen. Schumer Calls for Nationwide Marriage Equality; Maine AG Challenges NOM; Kalamazoo Update; Yes on 1 Claims Hate Crime Victimhood

Sen. Schumer Calls for Full, Nationwide Marriage Equality

Sen. Chuck Schumer spoke at a Empire State Pride Agenda dinner, the largest LGBT advocacy group in New York. In his speech, Schumer made a call to his colleagues to full marriage equality in all fifty states.

"If Dick Cheney can support marriage, so can every Senator. So can every Democrat, Republican, Liberal Conservative. Equality should know no bounds, and we must not rest until we have marriage in all fifty of these United States."



Maine's Attorney General Challenges NOM

Attorney General Janet Mills says now that a federal judge has ruled against their request to suspend Maine's law that they disclose donor identities, they should hand over the information now and not wait until after elections.

"We are not going to give them legal advice. We trust that their legal counsel will advise them to comply fully," she said. "The court has ruled that it is in the public interest to do so, and the law couldn't be clearer.

"I would hope that they would file before the election," Mills said. "Why not? What is there to hide?"

Kalamazoo In the Middle of a LGBT Rights Battle

Kalamazoo, MI residents will have to decide whether or not to reject the city commission's non-discrimination ordinance which would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in work, housing and public accommodations.

From WoodTV:

Mary Balkema, the Kalamazoo County Treasurer, heads the opposition group Kalamazoo Citizens Voting No.

Balkema was instrumental in gathering thousands of signatures two different times to get the measure rescinded by the city commission and placed on the ballot.

Their main argument is that an ordinance protecting the rights of gays and lesbians in hiring, housing and public accommodation isn't necessary. They say discrimination against gays and lesbians simply doesn't happen in Kalamazoo.

"The opposite side cannot site one example of discrimination in housing, employment or public accommodation," Balkema said. "So this discriminatory ordinance is looking for a non-existent problem."

But David Garcia, the Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, says the ordinance is not only necessary, it's past due.

"When we hear the opposition say that Kalamazoo doesn't need an ordinance because it just doesn't happen here in Kalamazoo, gay people aren't being fired, I'm quick to say come on down here to the Resource Center and volunteer with us for a month, answer the phone calls and you'll see that's' simply not true," Garcia told 24 Hour News 8.

Balkema was responsible for passing an offensive flyer that has scared residents into voting against the ordinance. The flyer shows pictures of men in women's clothing and stating that they will infiltrate women's bathrooms and commit assault, adding that children will have to share bathrooms with sexual predators.



Help the campaign One Kalamazoo! Find even more info here.

Washington Post Columnist Debunks D.C. Anti-Marriage Testimonies

Metro columnist for the Washington Post, Robert McCartney has written a great editorial debunking the testimonies of D.C. residents who spoke out against the District's marriage equality bill, one of whom said "Once you became a homosexual, you gave up your rights."

The Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, the District's first delegate to Congress, was probably the most prestigious person who testified against same-sex marriage. He spoke at the election board hearing about what he sees as the importance of allowing a vote; afterward I asked him about the substance of the issue.

Fauntroy said that same-sex marriage threatens children. "Every child needs to be bonded to a man and a woman," he said. That ignores research showing that same-sex couples do a perfectly good job of raising children. Also, same-sex couples can already adopt in the District.

Fauntroy also said the "survival of the species" is at stake. "I have some brilliant friends who are gay, and it bothers me that they're not going to pass those genes on," he said.

I've got news for Fauntroy. His friends are more likely to pass on their genes, such as by artificial insemination, if they are permitted to marry. He and the other opponents should get out of the way and let them do so.

Yes on 1 in Maine Claims Their Defaced Signs Is A Hate Crime

. . . but did they do it themselves?

VIDEO: A New Yes on 1 Ad Called "It's Already Happening" Just in Time for a Halloween Scare!

At this point in the game, their misinformation and scare tactics sound like, "Blah blah blah blah blah blah BOO!" Fitting for Halloween.

The soundtrack for this ad should've been the creepy Halloween piano playing in the background. But stop. That would be another copyright infringement!

Maybe Marc Mutty, chair of Yes on 1, should dress up as a gay teacher (whatever that looks like - it could prove to be rather boring) and scare his volunteers into action for the holiday. Because from what I understand, their field effort is pretty shoddy.

Especially compared to NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality. (A new ad from them is coming soon!)

Rex Wockner reports, "There are 8,000 volunteers working on the campaign to stop the National Organization for Marriage from taking away gay and lesbian Mainers' right to marry. There are 5 days to go.

"More volunteers are still needed for two of NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality's projects: Drive for Equality, and Call for Equality."

You can read the rest of Rex's post for more information, or see below or click on the big 3-2-1 graphic at the top of this blog that gives you a ton more information.

ACTION: Help Maine become the first state to pass marriage equality at the ballot!

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

VIDEO: Watch Today's Question 1 Public Debate in Maine

With incredible thanks to NGBlog, here is today's public debate on Maine's Question 1 broadcasted by WMTW.

VIDEO: Anti-LGBT Crazy Trio Draw Small Numbers to Their Maine Press Conference, But What a Show!

Thanks to Pam Spaulding, I was able to get my hands on some full audio of the press conference held by the anti-LGBT nutball trio Peter LaBarbera, Brian Camenker and Paul Madore.

First is LaBarbera.



Second, Camenker.



Video clips from the press conference and one-on-one interviews after.

Paul Madore:



LaBarbera:





Paul Madore was asked if he'd informed the anti-marriage equality Yes on 1 campaign about his press conference. He replied, "We informed the diocese. Yes."



These guys claimed to be working "in union" with the Yes on 1 campaign and the Diocese of Maine, but I think someone forgot to tell the Yes people. Their statement about today's press conference: "Whatever words were said, are their own and have no ties the 'Yes on 1' campaign."

Swift in action as always, NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality's campaign manager Jesse Connolly made a confident appearance at the press conference and was able to give a sharp rebuttal to the press.



Following is the press release given by the NO on 1 campaign:

NO on 1 Campaign Slams Anti-Gay, Anti-Marriage Equality Attacks

Radical Hate Groups Come to Maine State House

Portland, Maine (October 28, 2009)---Jesse Connolly, the NO on 1 campaign manager, today released the following statement regarding the press event by the Maine Grassroots Coalition and Stand for Marriage Maine at the State House. In addition to featuring Paul Madore of the Maine Grassroots Coalition, who is responsible for some viscous, anti-gay print advertisements (see attached), the event also featured Brian Camenker of MassResistance and Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth, two well-known
anti-gay organizations.

"This is not the new face of the Yes campaign, it's been there all along. They can swap out their TV ads from attacks that have been called baseless by the Maine Attorney General and Maine newspapers across the state, to a gentler, softer approach, but the result is the same. They don't believe in treating all Maine families equally and these national and local spokespeople represent some of the most vitriolic, anti-gay voices in the country.

"They can't have it both ways -- to pretend to back civil rights, yet stand behind a group like Mass Resistance which is one of only 11 designated anti-gay hate groups listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center. And they can't stand behind Peter LaBarbera who has attacked Ben & Jerry's, supported rescinding women's right to vote and believes we should return to the Old Testament where gay people were stoned. And they can't stand behind Paul Madore and the Maine Grassroots Coalition which is behind some of the most anti-gay hate speech over the last 20 years.

"It won't wash. It doesn't fly. And we call on the Yes campaign to stop the attacks and get back to talking about what's really at stake in this election -- and that's whether or not we will treat all loving, committed Maine couples and their families equally under the law.

"And I'd like to hear what the leadership and the big funders of the Stand for Marriage campaign have to say about the hate-filled speech we heard today in our State House. Are they in line with these people and these organizations or will they disavow what was said?"

See local Maine affiliate WMTW's news report.

It will be interesting to see Yes on 1 separate themselves from this muck.

A Trio of Anti-LGBT Nutballs to Hold Press Conference in Maine

UPDATE: See the press conference.

When you're struggling during a big, important battle, wouldn't you pull out all the stops? That's what Yes on 1 campaign is doing.

Three major wingnuts will be holding a press conference today in Maine at the Hall of Flags at the State House right about . . . now. (Video will be forthcoming). So who are the Three Musketeers?

Jeremy at Good as You has the scoop:

-Brian Camenker: The leader of one of only eleven organizations to be so extreme, that they've chosen by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an official anti-gay hate group.

-Peter LaBarbera: So heated in his hostility, that he sent yours truly a message a few days before his wedding for the sole purpose of condemning the upcoming nuptials.

-Paul Madore: Longtime cohort of the Christian Civic League of Maine, an organization that has gone so far as to blame LGBT progress for things like bad weather, graffiti, and economic crises.

The press release that announced the coming of the Christianists:

The Maine Grassroots Coalition will hold a press conference in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta at 11:00 on Wednesday October 28th, to alert the public to the dangers of the radical homosexual agenda. The press conference will feature three well-known pro-family speakers, Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality, Brian Camenker of Mass Resistance, and Maine's own Paul Madore, from the Maine Grassroots Coalition.

Paul Madore warns that clever advertising by pro-homosexual groups is trying to portray the Yes on 1 campaign as dominated by out-of-state money, when in fact, the pro-homosexual marriage campaign has raised three times more money than our side. Madore also warns that pro-homosexual marriage groups are recruiting same-sex marriage activists from around the country - including San Francisco - to take "Maine Volunteer Vacations" and campaign against our Peoples Veto.

Speakers at the press conference will expose the hidden aspects of the radical homosexual agenda, and will reveal how Maine is being manipulated into voting No on 1.

But luckily, NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality is all over it.

Jesse Connolly, the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign manager, will attend the Maine Grassroots Coalition/Stand for Marriage Maine press event this morning at the Hall of Flags in the State House. Among those attending their press event are Brian Camenker of Mass Resistance and Peter LeBarbera of Americans for Truth.

“To go on Maine television and try, in the last week of the campaign, to pivot from distorting and misleading voters to a message of tolerance just isn't believable," said Connolly. "And now they're bringing two of the most anti-gay leaders in the country to the state capital. It's really pretty shameful."

Stay tuned for video of the showdown.

GET INVOLVED! Go to NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality.

Image: From Towleroad.

VIDEO: New Yes on 1 Ad in Maine Reframes the Debate. Again.

This new ad from Yes on 1 airing today now uses civil rights against us and gives voters a conscionable excuse to vote Yes without feeling guilty.



Without going for the jugular on the surface, this ad actually does go for the jugular. They're actually telling the voter that voting Yes doesn't violate the civil rights of gays and lesbians and actually protects the civil rights of heterosexuals by "protecting" traditional marriage. It's an aggressive "we're the victims" argument.

Of course, they say Maine's domestic partnerships provide "substantial protections" for gay and lesbian couples and highlight the state's registry site that says "legal status similar to that of a married person."

Full text on Maine's domestic partnership registration website:

P.L. 2003, c. 672, enacted by the Legislature and signed into law on April 28, 2004, establishes the concept of domestic partners in Maine law. Under the law, registered domestic partners are accorded a legal status similar to that of a married person with respect to matters of probate, guardianships, conservatorships, inheritance, protection from abuse, and related matters. The legislation establishes a Domestic Partner Registry housed within the Office of Health Data and Program Management, Bureau of Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Join Call for Equality

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UHM, NOT THE SAME AS MARRIAGE! Hospital visitation rights? Spousal retirement benefits? Need I list more? Though in the past, opponents claimed that it was the same as marriage. So what is it? (Note: When this passed in 2004, so few rights were attached that anti-LGBT forces didn't bother to try and get a People's Veto to overturn it.)

I think we know.

"It's possible to protect the civil rights of all citizens and protect traditional marriage at the same time," the sweet lady says.

Who can't hear the contradiction in that one sentence? It's like they WANT people to hear the oxymoron. How is denying a group of minorities access to tax-funded benefits protecting civil rights?

This is damaging because they are now using our argument against us. Anyone who felt guilty about denying people civil rights and were thinking of voting NO now have a way out, faulty logic aside. Undecided voters will hear what they want to hear.

So Frank Schubert, the mastermind of Prop 8, realized he wasn't going to win with the school argument in Maine. He may just win with this one.

DON'T LET PROP 8 HAPPEN AGAIN!

ACTION: Call marriage equality supporters and remind them to vote!

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

Maine Roundup: New Poll Gives Hope; NO on 1 Calls Out the Opposition; Gov. to Speak in Our Favor

New Polls Gives Hope But Shows We Need to Work HARD

With 8 days left until the election, anything can happen. Today's new poll shows us leading, with 53% rejecting Question 1 with 42% in favor with 6% undecided.

Yes, this is good news but the last days of a campaign are volatile. And the opposition will stop at nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, with its smear campaign to scare voters into stripping us of our rights.

Nevada Progressive puts it well - The Opposition Is Now Throwing Everything INCLUDING the Kitchen Sink at LGBT Families

We need to keep the lead. The number one way to win is to GET OUT THE VOTE. Get our supporters to the polls.

ACTION: Call marriage equality supporters and remind them to vote!

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

NO on 1 Campaign Calls Out the Opposition's Bulls***

In a press release just sent out, the NO on 1 campaign calls out the hypocrisy of the Yes on 1's tactics and sleight of hand maneuvers, including NOM who is in court today trying to wiggle out of obeying Maine's campaign laws.

The NO on 1 campaign called on the Question 1 campaign to stop changing the subject and focus instead on its issues of lopsided funding by a national organization intent on hiding its donor base from the voting public. In fact, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the number one donor to the Yes campaign is in court today to stop any donor disclosure.

The NO on 1 campaign noted that instead of answering those questions, the Yes campaign turned its attack guns on Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree.

"It is both ironic and insulting that the Yes on 1 campaign tries to attack a citizen legislator who fully discloses her livelihood on the very day their largest donor is in court to hide its fundraising base from the Maine voting public," said Jesse Connolly, NO on 1 campaign manager.

According to Maine campaign finance reports, the Yes campaign has received more than $1.55M from the National Organization for Marriage which is essentially financing that campaign. Today, NOM is in federal court seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent Maine campaign officials from asking them to reveal its individual contributors.

Today, in another attempt to distract voters, the Yes campaign alleged that Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree did not disclose a short-term consultancy with the NO on 1 campaign. In fact, Pingree serves as a citizen legislator and makes her livelihood as a professional fund raiser for causes and organizations she supports. The NO on 1 campaign, operating on a full transparency basis both with Maine campaign officials and voters, revealed a $5,175 payment to Pingree on Oct. 7 in its latest campaign report.

"We engaged Hannah Pingree because she's a fundraising professional and she helped us for a short time," said Connolly. "Now, they've launched yet another baseless attack which is simply to cover up the big story today, that their number one donor doesn't want anyone in Maine to know where their money comes from. Do they honestly think we just fell off the turnip truck?"

These attacks from the Yes on 1 campaign are last ditch efforts to smear. As stated, Pingree is citizen legislator who consults. The Yes on 1 campaign has its own consultants, having paid anti-LGBT Rev. Bob Emrich $5,000.

But there also pitching a fit over Pingree because she's behind a huge GOTV (Get Out the Vote) effort on behalf of the NO on 1 campaign. And they're not liking it one bit.

Maine's Catholic Governor Baldacci to Speak Up for NO on 1

This is BIG news. Catholic Gov. John Baldacci, who was initially against marriage equality but realized he was wrong and signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage, will be urging voters to vote NO on Question 1.

From a press release:

Governor John E. Baldacci will join with families supporting marriage equality at the home of Sally Dobres, 270 French Street in Bangor, on Tuesday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m., to urge Maine people to vote NO on Question 1. Speaking to begin at 10:00 a.m.

The event marks the beginning of the NO on 1 Campaign's GOTV program with thousands of volunteers from across the state contacting families, friends and neighbors to remind them to vote NO on Question 1 for fairness and equality for all Maine families.

Who: Governor John E. Baldacci and Maine families

What: Discuss the importance of voting NO on Question 1 for marriage equality

Where: The Home of Sally Dobres, 270 French Street in Bangor

When: Tuesday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m. Speaking to begin at 10:00 a.m.

Contact: Dorian Cole, 207-272-5941, dorian@protectmaineequality.org

Spread the word!

More articles:

Maine Businesspeople Announce Coalition in Support of Marriage Equality

National Implications In Maine Marriage Battle

Let's Play 'Spot Yes on 1's Lie!'

Can anyone spot the lie below?



If the NO on 1/Protect Marriage Equality campaign knew $5 million was coming from HRC, WE'D KNOW IT!

Maybe they got their numbers wrong. Maybe it was a typo. Maybe they meant to tell the quasi-truth and write $.5 million, but that would still be more than how much HRC really has donated to NO on 1. (HRC has donated roughly $140,000 plus another $80,000 in goods, services and staff time. See NO on 1's contributions report and an article. Thanks HRC!)

Or not.

The hypocrisy is staggering, considering that 60% of the Yes on 1 campaign has been bankrolled by none other than the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), who have said they want to be the anti-marriage equality answer to HRC.

Guess they overshot that goal a bit, you think?

NOM Attempts to Buy Maine Votes With $1.1M While NO on 1 Crosses $4M Threshold!

UPDATE 3:15pm PST: NOM has bankrolled 60% of Yes on 1's campaign, and they're in court Monday trying to get out of disclosing where the money came from.

These people are either brilliant or just plain stupid. I believe the latter. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has given the Yes on 1 campaign $1.1 million in the last twenty days despite the fact they are under investigation by the state of Maine for their fundraising tactics.

Or, in other words, they freaked out when they discovered the NO on 1 campaign raised $1.4 million on Act Blue and since they knew they couldn't get that kind of support from individual donors, they threw money at the problem. Overall, the Yes on 1 campaign has raised $1.4 million for this quarter. (Read my prior post on the Catholic Church's damaging contribution.)

But here's the good news. The Yes on 1 are failures without NOM and the Catholic Church. The NO on 1 campaign has had thousands of supporters.

The NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign has announced that it has passed the $4 million threshold.

With more than one-third of money raised coming in the last three weeks of the campaign, the NO on 1 campaign today announced that it has broken the $4 million threshold in its effort to preserve marriage equality and defeat Question 1.

Campaign Manager Jesse Connolly, in meeting today's state filing deadline, noted that more than 20,000 people have now contributed to NO on 1, with more than 40% donating in the last 20 days. Connolly noted that while the NO on 1 campaign reported 22,823 donations since the campaign began, Question 1 has been fueled by just 710 donations.

"We continue to be overwhelmed by the level of support and energy we see both in the field and through fundraising," said Connolly. "Mainers have dug deep, whether that's manning extra nights at our phone banks or writing another check. We're a small state and we know we need help to properly fund this effort and that's why we're so grateful for the ongoing contributions of equality supporters throughout the country."

At the same time, Connolly noted that the Question 1 campaign filing was fueled almost entirely by three huge donations by the New Jersey based National Organization for Marriage (NOM). In fact, $1.1M of the $1.4M raised in this period came from NOM. And while the Question 1 campaign reported 310 contributors, the NO on 1 campaign had over 4722 contributors this period.

"These two filings starkly illustrate the difference between the two campaigns," said Connolly. "The NO on 1 campaign has been fueled largely by individuals, people in Maine and across the country who believe deeply in equality. By contrast, the Question 1 campaign would scarcely exist without the deep pockets of the New Jersey-based NOM which continues to hide its donor base from voters and the public. We simply don't believe NOM can buy the votes this late in the game."

The NO on 1 campaign released its contributions and expenditures in accordance with Maine campaign finance laws today and offered these highlights from the latest reporting period from October 1-20, 2009:

-- $1,369,370 was raised in the reporting period, from October 1-20, giving a year-to-date (YTD) total of $4,060,053.
-- 8,930 donors pitched in during this last period, bringing the total number of donors to NO on 1 to 20,372.
-- Of that donor base, 7,840 were Mainers, with 2082 Maine residents contributing in the last 20 days.
-- Over $500,000 of the total $1.3M raised during this period came from Maine donors.
-- 16 individual donors, including one organization, gave $10,000 or more during this reporting period, fueling $617,000 of the total raised. Of that total, $352,000 or 57% came from donors who live in Maine.
-- In the last 20 days, the average online donation was $58. The off-line or direct donation average through fund raising events and individual donations was $150.
-- Nearly $142,000 of in-kind donations were made by 49 individuals and organizations supporting marriage equality.

Though none of us should be surprised by the cowardly attempts of NOM and Yes on 1 to keep up with us on donations so they can tout that they have as much support (because obviously they don't), it's still OK for us to be angry.

Now use that anger and GET INVOLVED!

ACTION: Here are the different ways you can get involved.

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

Maine News Roundup: NOM Tries to Squirm Out of Investigation; Catholic Church Contributes Over Half a Million and More

NOM Sues Another State to Get Out of Another Investigation

As I reported yesterday, the uber anti-marriage equality National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is yet again trying to squirm out of another investigation by pitching a tantrum aka filing a lawsuit.

NOM filed a lawsuit against state officials in California who decided, thanks to the efforts of Frank Karger of Californians Against Hate, to investigate them for their involvement in the passage of Prop 8.

Karger also led the charge against NOM for their involvement in Maine. Danielle Truszkovsky of the South Florida Blade has written an amazing piece describing the Maine Ethics Commission hearing that led to the investigation.

Now Kevin Miller of the Bangor Daily News in Maine has written a follow-up on yesterday's breaking news about Washington DC-based NOM's lawsuit against Maine and how they don't like the way things are ran there.

Now, the organization has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Bangor alleging that Maine’s financial reporting requirements are unconstitutional.


The lawsuit seeks a court injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing a law that NOM officials claim is being used to harass and intimidate opponents of gay marriage.


“The reporting requirements become onerous and burdensome, especially when you are working in several states, and are an infringement of free speech,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s executive director.


-------


Brown argued in an interview Thursday that the reporting requirements — which include registering as a ballot question committee, appointing a treasurer and keeping detailed records for four years — are an undue burden. He also described Maine’s law as legally unclear and “patently unconstitutional” because it prohibited or discouraged free speech in the form of advocacy on one side of an issue.


He also accused the Ethics Commission members and Karger of waging a politically motivated “witch hunt,” despite the fact that the vote to order an investigation was bipartisan.


“What we are basically doing is filing a lawsuit to make clear our First Amendment rights to free speech,” Brown said. He also said that some donors to NOM during the California campaign later were harassed and threatened.

Mike Tidmus put it best on his blog, "It appears Brown will tolerate no sunshine in the Pine Tree State if telling the truth — the whole truth — and complying with the law makes his and cohort Maggie Gallagher’s lives more difficult … and expensive."

I have to agree. It's not very bright of Brian Brown to come charging into stay-out-of-our-business Maine and telling them that how they do things is wrong. But then again, Brown isn't known for being all that brilliant.

The Catholic Church of Maine Donates Over Half a Million to Yes on 1

The AP reports:

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has given another $152,600 to the group that's trying to overturn Maine's gay-marriage law.


A spokeswoman said the new contributions were transferred from a "rainy day" fund to the Stand for Marriage Maine political action committee.


That brings total Roman Catholic contributions to more than $550,000. That includes more than $180,000 from the Diocese of Portland, $141,300 from individual parishioners in Maine and $214,000 from other dioceses and bishops across the U.S.

This is mind-boggling. They have recently closed three parishes in Maine due to lack of funds (resulting in low attendance), but instead of using their "rainy day" fund to save them, they instead use it to strip rights away of fellow citizens because they don't like how they live their private lives.

What the f*** is a rainy day fund for if it's not to save your own churches?

Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments were, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)

The Catholic Church is violating the second greatest commandment and forgetting about feeding the poor. And don't get me started on speculating about where the money may be coming from.

I will end by reminding the church about this - "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10-12)

The Lack of Logic in Yes on 1's Arguments

Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight has written a great post about the lack of any sense found in Yes on 1's arguments against marriage equality.

He's posted about the talking points that the campaign sent out and has paraphrased them as such.

1. The new law won't make gay marriage equal to straight marriage. Instead, it will create a new kind of marriage in which gay people and straight people are equal.
2. Although we may not have proven any connection between gay marriage and public education, our opponents haven't disproven the connection, and it's their fault that the subject came up.
3. If gay marriage is upheld, then marriage will exist solely to make people happy.


These arguments run from the literally incoherent (#1) to the sublimely unpersuasive (#3), with #2 somewhere in between. Yet, they are, apparently, the best arguments that the Yes on 1 folks can muster -- the ones they're using to close out their campaign.

He goes on to remind us that Maine is one of the least religious states, so Yes on 1 has had to hammer home the lie about same-sex marriage being taught in schools. He says this argument has been discredited. And it has. But unfortunately, the harm has already been done.

NO on 1/Protect Marriage Equality can still lead Maine through a historic win for marriage equality. GET INVOLVED!

ACTION: Here are the different ways you can get involved.

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

AUDIO: 'Yes on 1' Radio Ad Calls Us All Liars - Where's Our Anger?

Earlier today I posted the new anti-marriage equality Yes on 1 television ad. Here's the accompanying radio ad.



It is frustrating to hear them call us liars and deceivers when in fact Yes on 1 chairman Marc Mutty has already admitted to "inadvertently" misleading Maine voters.

I said from the beginning that we should've beaten them to the punch by calling out their lies and deceitful arguments from the get go. Yet if we do this now, or air Mutty's comment, it's only going to sound like a response to Yes on 1's attack instead of the other way around.

We lost a great advantage by not acting first and using Mutty's confession (they knew we were going to use it, so they called us liars first!) We need to stop playing nice. These people are trying to take our rights away! Where's the anger? I want to see it!

We need to pull out all the stops. Get pro-marriage equality Catholic Gov. Baldacci in an ad explaining it's morally and ethically correct to vote NO. Get the attorney general to do an ad and use her comment that she finds the Yes on 1 ads "appalling." Air Mutty's confession.

And at the last minute before the election, before the Yes campaign can respond, air Obama's opposition to discriminatory ballot measures and his HRC speech supporting LGBT rights.

Though Jesse Connolly of the NO on 1 campaign has already called out Mutty on his confession to lying, it was in a press release. Not aired. I think this campaign, which has been amazingly fast on its feet, can do much, much more to point out these deceitful tactics while being on the offense and not defense.

Call them liars. Flat out. Because we know the facts support us. Let's use them! I'm waiting with anticipation to see the next No on 1 ad go full force.

ACTION ALERT! New 'Yes on 1' Television Ad Goes for the Jugular

Like I've been saying, it's going to get pretty dirty in this campaign. With less than two weeks to go, the anti-marriage equality Yes on 1 campaign is going for the jugular. And playing by the dusty Prop 8 rule book. (See the sad child at the end of the ad?)



Nothing they use in this ad is contextual. They don't care because that's not their problem.

Jeremy Hooper at Good As You does a great job of breaking down this ad, explaining the context and how the Yes on 1 campaign has twisted the facts into misinformation.

But a synopsis - Pat Peard was telling the truth to the SundayTelegram when saying it wasn't about marriage, because at the time, it wasn't. Just like in Washington state. It's about domestic partnerships there, but the opposition keeps saying it's marriage. Yes on 1 is trying to cast a pall over what Pat said four years ago. It's not secret that our work is step-by-step progress.

The clip used of Monica Hoeflinger is taken from Netroots Nation 2009. Here is the full video:


From Prop 8 to Full Equality in All 50 States - Netroots Nation Day 1 from Will Urquhart on Vimeo.

Like Jeremy says, if we wanted to keep it a secret that we're all working for marriage equality, we wouldn't be broadcasting it to dozens of cameras at Netroots Nation.

Nor would 100,000 of us across the nation have marched after the passage of Prop 8 demanding equal rights.

Yeah, we're do deceitful.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. At this point in the election, the polls are not going to shift in their numbers much. From the beginning, the surveys have indicated that we can win this, but we have to get our support base out to vote! WE NEED A STRONG GOTV! Maine needs you to help! Otherwise, the snowball that was Prop 8 is going to get bigger with a defeat in Maine.

Here's how you can help.

ACTION: Here are the different ways you can get involved.

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

Get involved now!

AUDIO: Listen to This Morning's Debate Over Maine's Question 1

Listen to Maine's On the Line broadcast of this morning's Question 1 debate. "Host Susan Sharon welcomes attorney Mary Bonauto, civil rights project director for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. And, Marc Mutty, campaign chair for 'Yes On One/Stand for Marriage Maine.'"

You can view Wednesday's debate. More debates will be held throughout the coming week.