Another Anxious Election Day

For my first post back in a little bit, I'd like to talk about being very, very edgy today. I woke up pissy and haven't really been able to shake it. And, sadly, I think I know why… politics, as usual.

I'm so afraid that Maine will repeal their same-sex marriage law and that Washington will say queers don't deserve any better than they have… it's pretty freaking scary, to be honest, and those are both issues up for public vote today. It was scary when it happened in California, and if it happens again today, then it'll just be another sign to the bigoted haters of the world that it's perfectly OK to fuck over the queers.

I'll likely be on edge until much later tonight when the results come in.

Why, some ask, do I care about what happens in Maine and Washington when I live in Chicago? Because Illinois introduced their own marriage equality law last month and if two more state's voters reject the basic human rights of LGBT citizens, our legislators here in Illinois will be much less likely to follow through with the proposed law for fear of it getting overturned and used against them in future elections. The same goes for every state, hell even the federal level: if we don't win today, it's going to be harder and harder to win at all legislatively.

So, yes I'm scared and worried. I want to marry my fiancé here. I want to have the legal rights and protections afforded to us like straight loving couples do (or even just straight couples that don't love each other but are drunk in Vegas and think it'd be fun). We need these laws to exist.

Three Important Fights

I'm reposting this from Courage Campaign's website basically wholesale. This coming Tuesday, three important gay rights intiatives will be on the ballots throughout the country. And for those of you that thought we only had elections every 4 years... well, this is for you. Pay attention and go out and vote! Also, anyone else that wants to copy and repost this, visit Courage Campaign's site and grab the HTML code. It's super easy.

Washington:

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.

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?refcode=courage

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