1.
Washington State Rules Against
Marriage Equality... OutFront Minnesota
disappointed by decision upholding marriage exclusion
2. Walk for
Justice with the OutFront Minnesota Team... join
the justFair Walkers
3. Greetings from Fair
Wisconsin... we need your help to win
4. South Dakota's "Amendment C"...
keep South Dakota a place where all families feel
welcome
5. Inside OutFront...
This weekend at Rochester PrideFest
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Washington
State Rules Against Marriage Equality
OutFront Minnesota Disappointed By Washington Decision
Upholding Marriage Exclusion
Today's ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court to
exclude same-sex couples and their families from the
protections of civil marriage, is a disappointment to
all those who believe such families should be treated
equally under the law. As the Massachusetts decision
shows, permitting same-sex couples to marry takes
nothing from other married couples, while providing the
chance for additional families to enjoy the benefits
civil marriage.
"It is a sad day for families in Washington," says
OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Ann Marie DeGroot.
"The effect of the court ruling is to deny same-sex
couples and their families equal protection under the
law. In our state, OutFront Minnesota and all of our
allies will continue with our work – ensuring the
election of fair-minded lawmakers, fighting for equality
in our schools, workplaces, and throughout all sectors
of society. It has been a difficult few weeks with court
rulings unfavorable to our community but we will never
lose sight of our ultimate aim – full equality for all
GLBT citizens.”
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Walk for Justice with the OutFront
Minnesota Team
The Walk for Justice is an annual event in the
progressive community to help social justice
organizations in Minnesota raise awareness, solidarity,
and financial support. It is an opportunity for OutFront
Minnesota Community Services to raise much-needed funds
for education, training, and direct services for the
GLBT community.
Last year the OutFront Minnesota justFair Walkers
raised over $5,500 to support fairness and equality for
the GLBT community! This year, the OutFront Minnesota
justFair Walkers are committed to an even bigger and
better showing of our power. Help us Power Up by joining
our team and
donating to our goal of $7,500.
What does it mean to be on the team? It means you
are pledging your time, your talents, and your story to
help OutFront Minnesota Community Services raise
visibility, increase solidarity, and secure funds.
Whether your financial goal is $10, $100, or $1000 –
what matters most is your participation! Check out
our team online and see our walkers and staffers
personal pages!
We recruit… and so should you! Recruit your
friends, recruit your co-workers, recruit your family;
anyone who believes in a fair and equal society for
all Minnesotans. Don’t miss your chance to support
the critical work being at the state’s leading
organization serving the GLBT community.
Join our team today!
For more information, contact Jim Halloran,
Development/Communications Associate at (612) 822-0127
ext. 104 or
jhalloran@outfront.org.
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Greetings from Fair Wisconsin
Greetings from Fair Wisconsin. We are fighting a
constitutional amendment that would ban civil unions and
marriage—and we are in a very good position to win this
November.
We need your help to win.
Our campaign has laid the groundwork for victory in
November. We have over 6,500 volunteers, a coordinator
in each of our 72 counties and over 100,000 voters who
have pledged to vote against the ban. Over 500,000 state
residents attend churches that actively oppose the ban
through our Faith Outreach program.
While things look positive – we need help from our
friends in Minnesota.
A recent non-partisan Wispolitics.com poll showed the
race to be a dead heat with 49% supporting the amendment
and 48% opposed. We strongly believe that our message of
fairness can persuade the voters we need to win. We also
expect that our opponents will soon launch a
nationally-funded, statewide media campaign.
Wisconsin has an extraordinary opportunity to be the
first state in the nation to defeat one of these bans,
helping to discredit this cynical tactic across the
country and especially in a state as similar as
Minnesota. While we are optimistic, this is no time for
complacency and we need help from our friends across the
border and the nation.
Please make a contribution to Fair Wisconsin of $50 or
more today at:
http://www.fairwisconsin.com/ads
http://www.getthefactswi.com
This is a moment of great opportunity to stand for GLBT
equality in the Midwest and we hope you will stand with
us. Thank you.
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South Dakota's "Amendment C"
This November, the people of South Dakota will vote on a
constitutional amendment barring gay marriage. The full
text of “Amendment C” is:
“Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be
valid or recognized in South Dakota. The uniting of two
or more persons in a civil union, domestic partnership,
or other quasi-marital relationship shall not be valid
or recognized in South Dakota.”
South Dakotans Against Discrimination has been formed to
oppose this vicious attack on our GLBT citizens.
"Amendment C" would enshrine discrimination, eliminate
civil unions, domestic partnerships, and “other
quasi-marital” relationships as well as marriage for
same-sex couples.
Since January, South Dakotans Against Discrimination has
worked to organize in targeted communities across the
state, including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Brookings,
Yankton, Vermillion, and Pine Ridge. Starting with a
list of less than 200 names, we now have identified
thousands of supporters across the state.
Now we need the help of our neighbors in other states –
including those in Minnesota.
Whether you used to live in South Dakota, still have
family here, or just visit on occasion, we need your
help to show South Dakota and the Midwest that good
neighbors don’t discriminate!
Some people out of state are hosting a house party to
raise money for the campaign. Others are calling
their friends back in South Dakota to educate them on
the importance of voting “No” in November. Still others
are scheduling extra time into their visits to South
Dakota to help us canvass neighborhoods and call voters.
Please help us by making a contribution of $15, $25, $50
or more - right now - on South Dakotans Against
Discrimination’s website by clicking:
http://www.againstdiscrimination.org/
If you’d like to host a house party or find out more
ways to help South Dakotans oppose "Amendment C", send
an email to
info@againstdiscrimination.org.
Please help us keep South Dakota a place where all
families feel welcome.
Jon Hoadley
Campaign Manager
South Dakotans Against Discrimination
PO Box 891
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-0891
605.360.7948
jon.hoadley@gmail.com
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Inside OutFront
...an
insider's view of the day-to-day work of OutFront
Minnesota...
Always on the go, the OutFront Minnesota staff loves to
meet GLBTA community members at PRIDE events all across
the state. This Saturday, July 29th, OutFront Minnesota
staff member Laura McCarty will be at the 9th Annual
Rochester GLBTA PrideFest in the beautiful Central Park
in downtown Rochester. Come on down and say hello!
Rochester PrideFest Events include:
-
Dragagonza Fiesta Flamenco, Friday evening at 7:30pm
at the Kahler Grand Hotel.
-
Pride Festival in Central Park, Saturday, from 11am
to 4pm. Features appearances by Rochester Mayor
Ardell Brede, State Representative Tina Leibling,
Cheer Dorothy Cheer, The Rochester Girls, and more.
-
PrideFest Dance, Saturday 7pm, Kahler Grand Hotel.
-
Pride Service at the First Unitarian Universalist
Church, Sunday 9:30am.
-
Pride Softball game, Sunday from noon - 2pm,
McQuillan Field.
-
Pride Service at Healing Spirit Metropolitan
Community Church, Sunday 5:30pm
For
more details please visit
http://www.glcsmn.org/pridefest.htm
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Looking for something to do?
Events of interest to the GLBT and allied community.
OutFront Minnesota's web-based community calendar is THE
place to check for events and happenings. Are you
planning an event that you want the GLBT and allied
community to know about? It's easy to
submit your event! OutFront Minnesota is proud
to offer community organizations this opportunity to
reach others.
Check it out each week for more current events!
__________
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