GLBT

Was California's Prop8 straight?

SOURCE: OpEdNews

January 7, 2010

New Study Asks "Was Prop 8 Straight?"

By Joan Brunwasser

Exclusive Interview with EI Advocates Sally Castleman and Emily Levy

I have with me Sally Castleman of Election Defense Alliance and Emily Levy of Velvet Revolution, two veterans of the Election Integrity movement. Welcome to OpEdNews, Emily and Sally.

In November 2008, Proposition 8 was a hot issue in the State of California. The proposition actually stripped existing marriage equality rights. There were strong feelings on both sides; between supporters and opponents, over $80 million was raised. The proposition was passed and the state constitution was amended. Almost immediately after the election, questions were raised about the validity of the election results. Recently, a study on Proposition 8 was released. What does the study show?

Sally: The study shows that at ten polling places in Los Angeles County where the exit polls were performed (that covered 19 precincts) the official election results appear to have been corrupted. The study doesn't prove that the results were wrong. Neither can whether any incorrect vote counts were the result of error or fraud. But the results of the study indicate that an investigation is warranted.


Sally Castleman

Emily: Fortunately, because California does have paper ballots and those ballots by law must still exist, an investigation is possible. In states where touch screen voting machines are used, a problem like this could not be evaluated effectively. In this case, if the chain of custody of the ballots and other evidence has been maintained, a meaningful investigation should be possible and should be initiated immediately by the Secretary of State's office. We've launched a new website, www.WasProp8Straight.org, where readers can write email to Secretary Bowen and take other actions.

Advocates call for investigation into whether or not Californians really voted to revoke marriage equality

For Immediate Release: January 7, 2010

Contact: Emily Levy (831) 429-8946

emily@emilylevy.com

New Analysis Shows Proposition 8 Election

Results May Have Been Corrupted

Advocates Call For Immediate Investigation Into Whether Californians

Really Voted to Revoke Marriage Equality

Dateline: Los Angeles

Election Defense Alliance (EDA) has released a new study challenging the election results for Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot initiative that ended marriage equality in California through a constitutional amendment. Renowned election fraud investigator and data analyst Richard Hayes Phillips, Ph.D., best known for his investigation of Ohio's 2004 presidential election results, has now called into question yet another high-profile election. The culminating report is hosted at WasProp8Straight.org.  

Rights on a Roll

SOURCE: Washington Post

D.C. Council Votes 12-1 to Recognize Other States' Gay Marriages

UPDATE 2: After further debate, a second vote was taken, with D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) deciding to vote against the proposal. The final count is 12-1 in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.

UPDATE: D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) has now asked that the gay marriage bill be reconsidered. He didn't realize what he was voting on before.

He just gave a speech saying he is going to vote against it so it won't be unanimous vote. The council is now debating the bill.

Equality not yet at Critical Mass in NH Senate

SOURCE:Blue Hampshire


Although it was a national story when, for the first time in history, a state legislative body attained a female majority after the November 2008 elections, the thirteen women in the New Hampshire Senate, aren't all in for equality. At least, that seems to be the case, if early reports on Blue Hampshire, a political blog, about Senatorial support for HB 436 are to be believed.


True Leadership

SOURCE:NH Union Leader

Terie Norelli: Discrimination against the transgendered is wrong

By TERIE NORELLI


There are persons in our society who are discriminated against and who deserve our protection. Twelve states, more than 50 cities, and many large corporations have opposed discrimination against transgendered persons.


New Hampshire and the General Court have a long and proud history of standing against discrimination. A few weeks ago, the House once again stood against discrimination. I would urge all citizens of our state and all members of the Senate to stand with us.

Gays and The Military: A Bad Fit--WaPo op-ed

Four retired U.S. military men shared their opinions with the readers of the Washington Post.

Whether or not it's all worth reading, the first few paragraphs demand a response.

Gays and The Military: A Bad Fit
By James J. Lindsay, Jerome Johnson, E.G. "Buck" Shuler Jr. and Joseph J. Went

Wednesday, April 15, 2009; Page A19


With the nation engaged in two wars and facing a number of potential adversaries, this is no time to weaken our military. Yet if gay rights activists and their allies have their way, grave harm will soon be inflicted on our all-volunteer force.

NH Young Democrats Support Equality

SOURCE:New Hampshire Young Democrats


PRESS RELEASE

April 14, 2009

From:Garth Corriveau


It is a privilege to announce that today the New Hampshire Young Democrats Executive Committee, on behalf of its membership (18-35 year olds who account for approximately 25% of the NH Democratic Party), unanimously passed a resolution urging the state senate and Governor Lynch to pass HB 436 and enact marriage equality into law in New Hampshire.

Copies of NHYD's resolution are being sent this week to the state senate, the governor and to our statewide membership. The resolution reads:

Economy Trumps Social Justice and Equality

SOURCE:Concord Monitor


Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan of Exeter said that for most senators there's one issue: the economy.


"Given the economic times we're in, I don't know that we're going to have the resources and time to work through all of those difficult and emotional issues that we might in a different session," she said. "I can't speak to what different senators may or may not want to do. I can speak to the fact that every senator I know in both political parties is really focused on the economy, the budget."

Political comedian/musician ROY ZIMMERMAN in NH!


Tue, 07/29/2008 - 6:00pm

Northwood, NH

The Northwood Theater Workshop announces the next installment of its ongoing concert series.

Tuesday, July 29, at 7pm, acclaimed liberal singer/songwriter/comedian Roy Zimmerman will be appearing at the theater for the New Hampshire stop of his "Thanks For The Support" 50 state summer tour. Zimmerman, from San Francisco, writes and performs comedic songs about "ignorance, war, and greed".

Examples of his work can be found on his YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/royzimmerman

Zimmerman has shared the stage with the likes of George Carlin, Bill Maher, Kate Clinton, Dennis Miller, Sandra Tsing Loh, kd lang, Andy Borowitz and Paul Krassner, and played a series of shows swapping songs with The Pixies' Frank Black. In the 90's he founded, performed with, and wrote all the material for the folk quartet "The Foremen" who were signed with the major record label Warner Bros/Reprise.

"Roy's lyrics move beyond poetry and achieve perfection." -Joni Mitchell

New Research Finds Gay Men, But Not Lesbians, Are Discriminated Against in Jobs

This is an embarrassment. Our tax dollars at work.


SOURCE: UNH Media Relations

PRESS RELEASE

October 24, 2007

DURHAM, N.H. – Gay men working in management and traditional blue-collar, male-dominated jobs make less than straight men because they are discriminated against by their employers, according to new research released today by the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics.

Obama for America


Thu, 08/09/2007 - 7:00pm

Element Lounge- Manchester
Join us as we make history! This Thursday night, August 9th, Barack Obama joins the Human Rights Campaign and the LOGO network in the first-ever presidential debate focusing on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community issues.

Obama for America Official Forum Watch Party
Element Lounge
1055 Elm St.
8:00 pm (forum starts at 9:00 pm)

After Barack speaks, he'll join a call with supporters like you from all over the country! New Hampshire's very own Bishop Gene Robinson will introduce Barack on the call. Join us for the evening!

To RSVP or for more information, call Nicole at 668-2008.

Civil Unions and Lynch's Style of Governing from the Center

John Lynch tries, admirably, to be the governor of everyone in New Hampshire. And while this week's passage by the New Hampshire House of a bill allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions has inspired a lot of speculation that Governor Lynch would veto the bill, I hope he doesn't. It would really be a failure of John Lynch's style of governing and a loss for the state.

The approach that Lynch has used since being elected in 2004 has been one that avoids ideological concerns and focuses instead on the reality of how New Hampshire's families live their lives. From his work on school funding to his efforts to help people rebuild after last year's floods, he has avoided scoring political points. Instead, Lynch has chosen to keep uppermost in his mind the real help that real families need. He faces emerging realities and adapts — politically and administratively — to those new realities.

Comments wanted for article on the 2008 Presidential Primary

Hello,
I am currntly working on a series of articles for www.newhampshireprimary.blogspot.com, as well as a possible short book on the upcoming 2008 New Hampshire Presidential Primary. Anyone interested may contribute comments or thoughts by emailing me at dwa@unh.edu or comment here. The piece/pieces will focus on the views of New Hampshire voters and their preferences in terms of the candidates. Namely, I'd like to know what issues New Hampshire voters care about the most, and the candidates they feel best represent their interests. One may also want to comment on past elections, campaign experiences, etc...
Thanks!
David Anderson
Graduate Student/Writer/Activist
University of New Hampshire

All American Social featuring U.S. Senator Joe Biden


Fri, 07/21/2006 - 4:00pm

Derry-Salem Elks Lodge, 39 Shadow Lake Road (Route 111) in Salem
U.S. Senator Joe Biden has announced he will visit Salem, NH on July 21 to meet with the residents of southern Rockingham County and Democratic candidates for federal and state elected offices.

Senator Biden (D – Del), a 2008 Presidential candidate, will be the featured speaker in support of Executive Council candidate Bev Hollingworth at an “old-fashioned – all-American social” to be held at the Derry/Salem Elks Lodge, 39 Shadow Lake Road (Route 111), Salem.

The event, which is open to the public and free of charge, will begin at 5 p.m. Hot dogs, ice cream and one-on-one conversation with numerous candidates promise to provide an entertaining and informative evening.

Former Senate President Hollingworth (D – Hampton) is a candidate for the District 3 Executive Council seat. The event is co-sponsored by the Salem and Windham Area Democrats. Anyone desiring additional information should contact Kathy Cote at (603) 893-6846.

Please RSVP to teamhollingworth@msn.com, or call 893-6846 or 893-6677

House kills gay marriage amendment legislation

House kills amendment to ban gay marriages

The New Hampshire House voted overwhelmingly today against a proposed amendment to the state constitution to ban gay marriage.

The late afternoon vote was 207-125.

The amendment would have defined marriage as the union of one woman and one man.

Read the rest of the article

Anti-Marriage Amendment Floor Vote Delayed Until Tuesday March 21


Tue, 03/21/2006 - 9:00am

State House, Representative's Hall
The New Hampshire House of Representatives has delayed the vote on CACR 34 until Tuesday, March 21. CACR 34 proposes to amend the New Hampshire Constitution to not only prohibit same-sex couples from marrying in New Hampshire, but to prohibit the recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships as well.

Three steps to defeating the Constitutional Amendment:

1. Call your Representative today and ask them to oppose CACR 34. You can find your legislator at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/whosmyleg/. Use the talking points below and tell them to VOTE NO on CACR-34 and NO to any amendments to the bill.

2. E-mail a friend and ask them to do the same.

3. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to urge other voters to do the same.

We know that there will be a floor fight on this legislation and that the sponsors will be offering an amendment to the bill in an effort to get Representative to vote to pass the Constitutional Amendment.

Supporters of the Constitutional Amendment (including right-wing evangelical groups like Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council) are generating thousands of calls and letters from their supporters. Your Representative must hear from you if we are to stop this Amendment from passing!

Representative Splaine weighs in on the "marriage amendment"

To Discriminate Or Not, That Is The Question

Representative Jim Splaine, blogging on NH Insider, writes about the proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage:

On Thursday, March 9th, the NH House will take action on CACR 34, the Constitutional Amendment to "define" marriage for our state as part of that document. It would be the first time ever that we would formally write exclusion and discrimination into our State Constitution, which for over two hundred years has stood the test of time, and has been a model for the rights of human beings.

Rep. Splaine's blog includes the Judiciary Committee's report, which includes recommendations against passage of the legislation:

Traditionally the State Constitution has been perceived as a protector for minority rights and the idea that an amendment would take away a minority right would seem to be an anathema. CACR 34 is clearly discriminatory to a particular class of people. The majority of the committee feels that this "House of the People" should not enshrine discrimination of any kind in our NH Constitution. All our citizens deserve the freedoms, protections and rights guaranteed in our constitution.

Thursday March 9: Floor Vote in House of Representatives on Anti-Marriage Amendment


Thu, 03/09/2006 - 10:00am

State House, Representative's Hall
On Thursday, March 9, the New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote on CACR 34. CACR 34 proposes to amend the New Hampshire Constitution to not only prohibit same-sex couples from marrying in New Hampshire, but to prohibit the recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships as well.

Three steps to defeating the Constitutional Amendment:

1. Call your Representative today and ask them to oppose CACR 34. You can find your legislator at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/whosmyleg/. Use the talking points below and tell them to VOTE NO on CACR-34 and NO to any amendments to the bill.

2. E-mail a friend and ask them to do the same.

3. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to urge other voters to do the same.

We know that there will be a floor fight on this legislation and that the sponsors will be offering an amendment to the bill in an effort to get Representative to vote to pass the Constitutional Amendment.

Supporters of the Constitutional Amendment (including right-wing evangelical groups like Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council) are generating thousands of calls and letters from their supporters. Your Representative must hear from you if we are to stop this Amendment from passing!

The freedom to marry amendment

On The Exchange on NHPR I heard Ray Buckley discussing the commission to study gay and lesbian marriage. I wanted him to be a stronger and clearer advocate. I believe the issue of who can marry and call it marriage will be the great wedge issue of the coming election year. We need to have done our homework and have our arguments worked out.

My main critique of the Democratic position, if Raymond Buckley’s discussion represents it, is that it seems ambivalent about the correctness of the freedom being defended.

I think the ambivalence came from a dual position. There are two separate questions and we conflate them. The core position is whether or not it is simply right, good, fair, and civil to afford gay people the right to love whom and how they please. The secondary position (which is important, but secondary) is whether the general public is “ready” to accept the first position.

In other words, it’s a civil rights issue. Opponents of Gay coupling say it is not a civil rights issue. It was strange to hear that concession on The Exchange because at the end of the program, both fell into drawing on many analogies from the civil rights struggle. Both spoke about “mixed marriages” and how interracial marriages used to be illegal.

Feature story: The right-wing power brokers behind Craig Benson

This article sums up an in-depth series about the right wing in NH. I've purposely kept it short for distribution to the New Hampshire press prior to the election. I'll return to a much more in-depth analysis in the weeks to come.

On October 7, the Union Leader reported that veteran political operative David Carney will head up field organization, event planning and overall strategy for Governor Benson's re-election campaign. This is the same David Carney who made headlines in August for his role in a controversial Ralph Nader ballot petition drive at a George Bush event in Stratham. Mr. Carney plays politics for keeps.

On July 29, the Union Leader reported that Mr. Carney had founded American Resolve, a self-described "proactive conservative political organization" based in Washington, D.C. Former Governor John Sununu and national conservative power broker Grover Norquist are the co-chairmen of American Resolve. Mr. Carney is the executive director.

I won't list the impressive credentials of Mr. Carney and Mr. Sununu. Suffice to say that these guys are connected at every level of conservative politics — everyone returns their calls.

Read the rest of the story