stopping the bigots from Florida to Maine!

EAA is encouraging activists across the country to take action and expose the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), a non-profit organization that “has a mission to protect marriage and the faith communities that sustain it.” This “mission” has been pushed by a campaign of lies and/or misleading propaganda in the form of television and radio advertisements and on line campaigns. On July 14th, NOM launched the Summer for Marriage Tour 2010, where anti-equality activists will travel through nineteen cities and hold “pro-marriage” rallies to garner support for preserving the Defense of Marriage Act, a piece of legislation passed under the Clinton administration that disallows any same-sex marriage in any state to be recognized by the federal government. On July 6th, EAA launched a campaign to motivate activists in each of the 23 cities with NOM events scheduled to hold peaceful and positive events at the same time NOM rallies are taking place. In places like St. Louis, Tampa, and Indianapolis, event planning is already underway. EAA will support all actions being independently organized by publicizing information about the events through Facebook, Twitter and e-blasts. “NOM has done a terrific job at instilling fear into the hearts and minds of the American people regarding marriage equality, and it’s the responsibility of the LGBTQ community to rise up and show who we really are. We’re everyone, and we’re struggling like everyone. The benefits of marriage to an LGBTQ couple could mean health insurance, legal citizenship or simple financial security, and we can’t let the lies of the NOM be the prevalent voice. They are on the wrong side of history.” — EAA National Organizing Team Equality Maine responded to the July 14th NOM rally in Augusta, Maine by hosting their own press conference and rally about the ongoing work to win marriage rights and supporters of marriage equality out numbered the NOM rally attendees. “The press conference EqualityMaine organized was really inspiring. Governor Baldacci, made a surprise appearance.” reported Samantha White, EAA National Organizing Team Member. “More than 100 marriage equality supporters showed up wearing red. The crowd was energizing. Maine is not the place for NOM hate and fearmongering tactics. I think the sea of red proved that, and we’ll prove it again soon.” In Providence, Rhode Island, marriage equality supporters confronted the lies and deception around the struggle for civil marriage and were able to drown out the speakers from NOM. EAA encourages local activists in the remaining cities to take action, and will continue networking and building momentum within the broader LGBTQ community.
www.equalityacrossamerica.org