SB 1250 Stalled in PA Senate!

Remember we spoke about the “Marriage Protection” amendment that they were trying to get passed in Pennsylvania that would change the state consititution to basically ban any kind of civil union, domestic partnership, etc.

Well it is now stalled in the Senate. This in no way, shape or form means that it’s over….please read the email that I’m posting below that is from Equality Advocates Pennsylvania. It will give you more detail and tell you what’s next.

“S.B. 1250 Stalled in Senate!

Dear Carey,

Last night, the Pennsylvania Senate voted to “Table” the proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned marriages for same-sex couples, civil unions and possibly more for all unmarried couples.

SB 1250 is now off the voting calendar and can not be considered unless there is another vote to move it back on the calendar.

The prime sponsor of the legislation, Sen. Michael Brubaker (R-Lancaster), stated that he was proposing the legislation be tabled because the Speaker of the House, Dennis O’Brien (R-Philadelphia), was going to assign the legislation to the House State Government Committee if it passed the Senate. The House State Government Committee is chaired by Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia), a strong supporter of the LGBT community, who is opposed to the legislation. Rep. Josephs has stated that she would not move the legislation out of committee.

It is important for everyone to understand that the bill is STALLED, not DEAD. Sen. Brubaker said that if the House indicates that the bill will go to another committee or that it is interested in voting on the bill, the Senate will bring it to the floor for a vote.

So we need you to call or email your state Representative now and tell them to oppose SB1250. Visit our Legislator Locater to find the name and phone number of your state Representative — please click on the “state” tab above the legislators pictures for your state elected officials.

Your calls and emails also had an impact. Many Senators were losing their enthusiasm for the legislation due to strong constituent opposition. We need to deliver the same message to the House.

Equality Advocates Pennsylvania was working hard in the Capitol to defeat this legislation last night and we will be there until this legislation is defeated. I would like to thank all of the members of the Value All Families Coalition and other allies for their hard work and dedication.

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your Representative (if you live in Pennsylvania)

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Please Oppose Any Efforts to Move SB 1250 Out of Committee!

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

As your constituent, I urge you not to support SB 1250, the so-called “Marriage Protection Amendment,” or any other Constitutional Amendment that would deny legal recognition of unmarried families.

Senate Bill 1250 was tabled on May 6 in the Pennsylvania Senate. Please oppose any action to move this bill to the House!

I do not support the so-called “Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment,” and ask you to oppose it.

Please help to protect all Pennsylvania families and not harm some by writing discrimination into Pennsylvania’s Constitution, a document created to expand rights, not limit them.

Pennsylvania law already stops gay and lesbian couples from marrying. This amendment, therefore, is not necessary.

For the well-being of all Pennsylvanians, please vote against Senate Bill 1250 and writing discrimination into our Commonwealth’s Constitution.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Carey Buck”

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It’s me again folks…..listen it really is super important for you to all actively participate in this entire process. Your futures depend on it! My partner and I were at the committee hearing last week and we went to our senators and expressed our opposition to the bill. We also called our Senator and Representatives yesterday and expressed our opposition again.

Please, please take 5 minutes out of your day to do the same. Just use that legislation locator above and find your rep and give them a buzz. Also, ask your friends and family members that live in PA to do the same. I just had lunch with my father today and was explaining to him everything that was going on with this and he was pissed! So you know he’ll make a call (my mom has been sending letters for quite some time now in regards to GLBT issues)….I’m sure your folks will too and anyone else that cares about you. It really is THAT important.

Send your letters but please, don’t forget to pick up the phone and speak to someone. If you can’t get your rep, leave your message with one of their aides or why not stop by their district office?? There is a lot that you can do and it doesn’t take that much time. Hey, I was painting my house yesterday but I took 5 minutes out of my day to make those 2 phone calls. It was a cinch. Please do the same.

Thanks everyone for your support thus far…let’s keep it going!

Take Action Pennsylvania!

Equality Advocates Pennsylvania had sent me the following email. I’m asking everyone in PA to read it and to try to head out there if they can and to meet with your senators.

Here is the email word for word:

“Dear Carey,

Equality Advocates Pennsylvania is working hard to defeat SB 1250, the “Marriage Protection Amendment” (the Constitutional Amendment that would ban marriage for same-sex couples, civil unions and potentially more). We are coordinating a number of activities in the state and we need as many people as possible to attend and show their opposition to this legislation that could harm so many families.

April 29: Appropriations Committee Hearing, Harrisburg – Capitol Building, Room 8E-A, East Wing, 9:00 AM

It is critical that as many people as possible who oppose Senate Bill 1250 attend the hearing. The hearing is being held to discuss the potential impact of the legislation.

There was a great turnout at the Judiciary Committee Hearing in Pittsburgh last week and we need to do it again. Supporters of the bill packed the first hearing in Harrisburg and bused people in from across the state. We need our people to arrive at the hearing early and bring as many people as they can with them. We really must have a sizable presence at this hearing and demonstrate to these Senators that Pennsylvanians do not support putting discrimination in our state’s Constitution. Testimony is limited to five issue experts on each side.

There will be lapel stickers at the hearing. Please wear one to show you oppose the marriage amendment.

Visit your state Senator and Representative after the hearing and tell them you oppose the legislation. To find out the name of your state legislators, visit our Legislator Locater.

May 5: Rally for All Families, Harrisburg – Capitol Building, Rotunda 1:00

Join Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, the Value All Families Coalition and the Faith Coalition for Pennsylvania Families at a rally against the anti-family constitutional Amendment. Last session, we held the largest LGBT rally at the Capitol with more than 400 people in attendance. Our goal this year is to have more than 500 Pennsylvanians attend. Legislators and organizations opposing SB 1250 will speak against the legislation and the media will be invited to cover the rally.

All attendees are encouraged to visit their legislators that day. There will be a training session at 11:00 AM to discuss the legislation and visiting your elected officials. The training location will be announced soon — please visit our website for an update on the location.

There may be buses or vans from different areas of the state leaving that morning and due to arrive in Harrisburg in time for the training. More information will be on our website as this develops. If you have any questions about transportation, email Equality Advocates at info@equalitypa.org.

If you have any questions about the hearing, Rally for All Families or SB 1250 moving forward, contact me at ssobel@equalitypa.org or at (215) 731-1447 ext 11. Thank you.”

****It’s me again……I’m going to do my best to head out there on the 29th, even though I have a lot going on in my life. Why do you ask will I take time out of my schedule to go there even though I have so much going on? The answer is quite simple people….OUR FUTURES depend on it. We all MUST take action. Sitting back and complaining will NOT get anything accomplished. Let’s all take some action and SPEAK UP.