North East States and Families Under Siege
The battle is getting heavy in the North East States, but in Vermont it has been especially tough the last few weeks. The VT Senate has already approved legislation that would make same-sex “marriage” legal in Vermont. The House is expected to also pass this legislation, some think by the end of the week.
The opposition to marriage has come heavily from out of state as SSMers try to win back the inevitability they lost in the 2008 elections when millions stood up in defense of families.
Their goals are openly stated in their “Six by 12″ strategy as reported in the Washington Times:
“Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, known as GLAD, has launched a first-of-its-kind regional campaign aimed at winning approval for same-sex marriage in the six-state New England region by 2012.
Same-sex marriage is already legal in Connecticut and Massachusetts, a result of court decisions in cases brought by GLAD lawyers. The 2003 Massachusetts decision was the first in the nation, while the Connecticut ruling went into effect Nov. 12.
“We can make New England a marriage-equality zone by strategically combining existing legal, electoral and on-the-ground know-how to fast-track marriage in every New England state,” GLAD Executive Director Lee Swislow said.
“By 2012, we not only can have marriage equality throughout New England, we can have a road map for the rest of the country,” she said. —Washington Times
Six states by 2012. That’s the stated goal, and already they are making headway. Today in New Hampshire, the House voted to REJECT same-sex marriage legislation there. They voted 183-182 in favor of families! Moments later, they called a vote to reconsider and pressured three legislators into flipping their votes. We lost in NH today because of those three votes.
3 votes! It came down to 3 votes! The power of each individual in this fight is enormous. Contrast those who couldn’t stand strong with what Governor Jim Douglas did in Vermont last night.
Last night, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas held a brief press conference and withstanding the opposition, openly declared his support for marriage and family, and vowed to veto same-sex “marriage” legislation in his state. –NOM
As a red governor in a blue state, what governor Douglas did yesterday is reminiscent of the legend of the Little Dutch Boy—holding back calamity with his finger in the dyke. One man! The fight in Vermont is coming down to the vote of one man!
It may cost him politically, in fact, the opposition’s response to his statement has been fierce, but it was the right thing to do. Thank You Governor Douglas! How often have we wished for good politicians who will do the right thing even in the face of severe opposition?
The popular four term governor just recently won re-election and has been the hope of Vermont against the outside influences flooding the state in opposition to marriage.
What happens in Vermont and New Hampshire, happens to us too. Every battle in this fight is crucial in setting the stage for what is to come nationally.
NOM, the National Organization for Marriage, and other grass roots organizations have gotten into the fray with both feet, declaring an action plan for the northeast states and putting money into educational ad campaigns in those targeted states. This much needed help is welcome! But the truth is, it’s going to take more than organizations, it’s going to take individual letters and calls, personal donations and efforts from the regular people in order to combat this groundswell that is threatening to over run our eastern states.
There is a leak in our defenses! As we know, a small trickle of water soon becomes a stream and the stream a torrent and the torrent a flood sweeping all before it. It’s time for all of us to step up to the plate and do what we can to stand against the tide.
My ultimate respect and regard goes out to Governor Douglas. He is a hero, one man against the tide.
—Beetle Blogger
What can you do? These links are from NOM:
1. Click here to send a quick note of thanks to give Governor Douglas encouragement!
2. Send a quick message to the Vermont House urging them to oppose same-sex marriage.
3. Please join us in contacting the NH Senate today.
