Personally, I’m following the defense of marriage equality in Maine quite closely. We in Rhode Island are at this moment the last of New England to not endorse in some manner the rights of all adults to marry those whom they love. Maine achieved this through the legislation. And now Proposition One which will be voted on the 3rd of November is an attempt to repeal this. This vote is important for so many reasons.
I find it repugnant that people vote on human rights. And it doesn’t matter a lot how I feel about it, that’s the way it is. And as we gird up for the battle here, I find myself particularly interested in our neighbors in New England and how it goes there. So, as I said I’m following this closely.
Earlier today I spoke with Ryan Brown at MassEquality who by my lights are the premier leaders of the organized fight in this corner of the world. They know their politics… And, so, of course, Ryan walked me through what people in the southern part of New England can do to help out.
If you want to help, but are not in the area you can email or call them and they’ll give you some guidance. Although, personally, I’m a big fan of check book liberalism. Give money to EqualityMaine! How about right now?
But wait, as they say, there’s more.
If you are a reasonable distance from Boston and are willing to devote one of the two Saturdays left before the vote, go to MassEquality at 262 Washington Street (as there is more than one Washington Street in Boston, one of those lovely New England things, the zipcode is 02108) and meet on the 7th floor. They leave for Maine at eleven in the morning and promise to get folk back by about nine in the evening. They provide training, transportation and lunch! Of course they have to plan so contact the coordinator, Ian Grady at either iangrady @ massequality.org or call 617.878.2365 & let them know you’re going to help.
You can drive to Maine on your own, of course. Just call Ian to coordinate when and where to meet up.
So, you can’t do that. Well, there’s still more…
Phone calls are important. They can jog people and inspire them. And you can create your own phone bank from anywhere. Here’s a way to set up your own personal phone bank. Perhaps your group or church want to stand on the side of love? Well, here’s a way. If you use a land line there’s no cost at all. If you use a cell you will be charged for incoming calls.
It takes up to forty-eight hours advance to set up. And you need in addition to phones, a high speed internet connection. And a person or two who will make calls would also be helpful…
My understanding is that there are rarely unpleasant experiences in these calls. Those who are not supportive tend to be polite and hang up as quickly as they can. Occasionally someone will be nasty, but even that’s brief. And this is so important, so enduring someone harumphing and hanging up on you is hardly the worst thing you might be willing to endure on behalf of justice and love…
Go to http://www.callforequality.org, log on, then sign up for an account. Someone will call to confirm and guide you through the process. The computer will give you a little training video, provide a script and then do the dialing for you…
Easy as pie. But remember to sign up two days ahead of when you’re ready to go…
And one more possibility!
On election day, the 3rd of November, Massequality will provide buses from Boston leaving at 8am and will return as close to midnight as possible. If you can get to Boston but the day before, they’ll arrange home hospitality. We who support this great human rights struggle need people on the ground in the lovely and good state of Maine on that day, very, very much!
Again please, please don’t just show up, register first. Call Andi Wheeler at 617.878.2307 or email andiwheeler @ massequality.org
To defend the right to marry will require about a quarter of a million votes.
They’re there!
But it takes people willing to do the work to make sure it happens.
And, finally, let me end where I began, give a little money to this worthy, worthy cause!
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