Letter to MA Senator Scott P. Brown

Yesterday, the MA Legislature voted 62-134 to advance a constitutional amendment to the 2008 ballot which would essentially redefine marriage in the state to opposite-sex couples. How delightful for me to find that my state senator, Scott P. Brown, was one of those 62 (they only needed 25% of the Congress to advance the measure).

I’ve been thinking on this since I heard the news yesterday and burst into tears. While the letter I wrote to Senator Brown, copied below, isn’t an outstanding piece of writing, it is from my heart. If you’re from MA, check to see if your elected representatives voted to advance the measure. And then contact them to either thank them for voting to keep constitutional rights for all or admonish them for choosing division and the creation of second-class citizens in this state.

Dear Senator Brown,

As a woman married to another woman who lives in your district, I am disappointed and angry that you voted with 61 others yesterday to limit my civil rights. Yes, YOU voted to turn your back on your constituents and to remove Constitutional rights that gays and lesbians currently enjoy. YOU personally are responsible if this ends up going on the ballot. I hope you are proud of yourself, for telling me, in essence, that as a citizen, my rights do not matter to you. Trust me when I say that you are not fit for office if you have that attitude about your constituents.

A year ago I was thrilled to be moving to Massachusetts, the only state in the nation at the time that seemed to give a hoot about the civil rights of gays and lesbians. Today, less than 12 months later, I realize that my enthusiasm does not extend to the 62 of YOU. You have dampened my joy in living my life here, with my wife, in the house we purchased in your district. Does it feel good knowing that you personally are responsible for the fact that I feel more unwelcome in this state than I ever did in Pennsylvania, home of Rick “man-on-dog” Santorum?

I rarely get this mad, and have never resorted to using profanity towards an elected official before in a letter. But your vote yesterday deserves swear words, for it was a profane vote. I end this with an angry f*** you, Senator Brown.

On the other hand, my representative, David Linsky, was one of the 134 who voted against advancing the amendment. He’s getting a letter too, of thanks and gratitude.

Sigh. The battle continues, here and everywhere (except the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, and South Africa.)

Barack + ESPN

So I just about freaked out here, watching the opening of Monday Night Football. Barack Obama was all, “I just want to tell the nation… that I’m ready… to go all the way… and cheer the Bears on to victory!”

Damn! I was SOOO excited that he might have been announcing a run for the presidency. I admit that I even yelled “F*$% you Barack!” at the television when he put on his Bears cap…

There’s still hope, though. For the Bears AND Barack alike.

Edited to add:

Here’s the video!

Now I can breathe…

Whew. I’ve been wanting to celebrate about all the sweeping political changes of the past two days, but have been on pins and needles over the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention today. I’m glad to hear that the MA Constitutional Convention was recessed today before a vote could come up on a proposed constitutional amendment aimed to strip same-sex couples who have already married in MA of the legal protections those marriage afford us.

Some of these protections:

• hospital visitation rights
• health insurance coverage
• shared parental rights

We are not bogeymen. We are not trying to “convert” children. We are not deviant. What we are is a family, two people who love each other and have committed ourselves to each other in legal (and sometimes spiritual) ceremonies. Our families are not all that different from other families, save for the gender composition of them. I’m so happy that all of these families – my family – can breathe a sigh of relief.

And now, how about those changes in Congress? Hot damn! No more Republican control of both the Legislative and Executive branches of government – back to checks and balances – woo-hoo!

Together We Can: Deval!

What an amazing acceptance speech – he’s had me laughing and in tears. I’m proud of him – for being fair and even-handed, inspirational and well-spoken, ELOQUENT. Wow! I’m sure it’ll be online at his web site or at New England Cable News (NECN) sometime in the next day or so, and I’ll link to it when it is. (Update: Part 1 and Part 2)
It looks like the Dems are going to take back the House – news stations are reporting that 15 of the necessary seats have been taken by the Dems. That means Nancy Pelosi will be the first female Speaker of the House. Woot!

Places I’ve been getting my news tonight:

• Human Rights Campaign
• Feminist Majority
• Boston.com
• NECN (I’ve been watching that ever since Dancing with the Stars ended…)

And various other places. Nice to be pleased with the news tonight (for the most part) for a change!

In more voting news…

Is it bad that I’m switching back and forth from election coverage to Dancing with the Stars tonight? I’m just loving Emmitt Smith and Mario Lopez!

In real voting news, it looks like a few of my candidates have won today: Deval Patrick (governor), Edward Kennedy (senate), and David Linsky (state house). Unfortunately, Jill Stein didn’t win her Secretary of State bid, but so far has nearly 20% of the vote. Not bad for a Green-Rainbow candidate challenging a Democratic incumbent in a race where no Republicans ran, and in Massachusetts no less!

I’m proud of Minnesota for two reasons today: Amy Klobuchar is Minnesota’s first woman Senator, and Keith Ellison is Minnesota’s first non-white representative, and the first Muslim elected to the House in the nation.

I wish I could stay up later and watch all the results come in, but I’m tired and have to get up early tomorrow morning for hockey practice.