It looks likely that 12 states will have anti-gay amendments on their ballots this year (in addition to the Missouri vote two weeks ago). These include Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Utah and Oregon.
Though many of these states looked poised to pass these amendments, there are good reasons to help fight the passage of these amendments and in some states there is hope.
So, in my hopeful (and hopefully not vain) attempt to help bring some focus to this election year's issue and perhaps direct a little effort and cash to the fight, here are some reasons why this is important and three states where I think some help from the kos community might make a difference.
Reasons to make this an
issue:
- Though some hope that eventually these state anti-gay amendments might be ruled unconstitutional in the federal courts, this is unlikely in the foreseeable future, perhaps decades.
- Contrary to popular belief, gay and lesbian couples (especially those with children) are just as likely to live in red states as blue states and thousands of couples and families in the states with these amendments on the ballot will be forever (or at least decades) be barred from equality and protection in those states. All couples and families living, working, visiting and traveling through these states will be affected adversely.
- These amendments threaten to bring out a very conservative vote (unless a counter effort is fully realized) in a federal election year thus adversely affecting other votes (issues and candidates) in that state.
So what can be done? Of 12 states with the amendment on the ballot right now, most look like a foregone conclusion (or close to it), but applying criteria in the spirit of the Dailykos dozen for congressional races, I've come up with three states that people might want to focus their attention, time, efforts and MONEY on.
The criteria for consideration:
- Polls in that state show that there is a 'fighting chance' to defeat the amendment (For not other reason other than its a round figure, I put that at a support for the amendment at no larger than around 60%).
- The state's amendment would halt current possibilities in that for marriage equality (court challenges or marriage lisenses actually issued and awaiting ruling).
- The state is a swing state (or close to being) and a large conservative turnout that the amendment might engender needs to be countered.
One state fits all these criteria:
Oregon.
Recent polls show support for the amendment at
only 49% , 46% oppose and 5% undecided (4% error). There is a real chance, given effort and money, that the amendment can be defeated.
3,000 couples were married in Portland and are awaiting a court ruling on the validity of those marriages. This amendment would likely invalidate those and future possibilities.
Oregon is a swing state (or close enough to one that a large conservative turnout could hurt).
Two other states come close: Michigan and Ohio.
Polls in both states show support at around 60%, though high, not insurmountable. The Michigan state legislature failed to pass a ban, giving some hope citizens might follow suit.
As far as I can tell there are not court cases in either of these two states at the moment to have SSM recognized.
Both states are swing states.
You can help the Oregon effort to defeat the Oregon hate amendment through Basic Rights Oregon
You can help the Michigan effort to defeat that hate amendment through Coalition for a Fair Michigan or Triangle Foundation
You can help the Ohio effort to defeat that hate amendment through Ohioans for Growth and Equality or Ohioans protecting the Constitution(site 'under construction'.. they might need help with that!).
I try to keep tabs of the states'and marriage equality (adding court cases soon, redesigning site) at the State Marriage Equality Map
and you can get more information about individual state organizations at Loveisloveislove state organization links
I know our pockets are not deep and there are a lot of calls for money and efforts in the federal elections, but even ten dollars here and there will help a lot. So, in hopes someone is listening....