Mass Equity's take on AG Reilly's Approval of New Amendment

[paineinthearse]

Please Read, Take Action and Forward

www.MassEquality.org/action/ag.php

We have suffered a serious setback. Attorney General Tom Reilly today certified the new anti-gay amendment. That means that we will face an enormous, expensive and hurtful fight, potentially for the next three years. We are extremely disappointed at the Attorney General's decision.

Proposed by 20 anti-gay groups and supported by Gov. Mitt Romney, this extreme amendment seeks to take away the right for gay and lesbian couples to marry and replace it with no protections whatsoever. This means our opponents can move forward and collect signatures this fall, unencumbered, to get this mean-spirited amendment on the ballot.

Our coalition partners at GLAD presented a strong case to Reilly. GLAD's position was supported by two former attorneys general, dozens of renowned law professors, and more than 75 key law partners. All urged Reilly to reject the ballot question. It seems those arguments were not heard, and instead we move forward on an ugly ballot question supported by Mitt Romney, the Catholic hierarchy, and local and national anti-gay groups.

Click here to let Attorney General Reilly know of your frustration: www.MassEquality.org/action/ag.php

Reilly had the opportunity to save Massachusetts a public fight that will sap millions of dollars and introduce toxic rhetoric harmful to gay and lesbian couples and their families. After 6,500 marriages, it's a travesty that this extreme measure will dominate public debate for the next three years. Why doesn't Attorney General Reilly get it?

Click here to write a personal letter to Attorney General Reilly: www.massequality.org/action/ag.php

Because of this decision, MassEquality will need to redouble its efforts. We could be fighting this new amendment for the next three years, but first we must defeat the Travaglini-Lees amendment next Wednesday, September 14.

Your contribution matters now more than ever. If we can convince 100 legislators to vote against the Travaglini-Lees amendment next Wednesday, we win and they lose. Please show your support by giving $100 today -- a dollar for every winning vote. If just a small fraction of our members give a contribution at this time, our pre-Con-Con mobilization efforts will be fully funded. You can make a special online contribution at: http://www.massequality.org/action/don.php.

Thank you for everything. Working together, we will prevail.

www.MassEquality.org/action/ag.php

Sincerely,

Marty Rouse
Campaign Director

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MassEquality.org is dedicated to ensuring that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision on marriage equality is upheld, and that any anti-gay amendment or legislation is defeated.
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