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VoteOnMarriage.org Press Releases
May 17, 2007 - Statement of Kris Mineau in Response to Boston Globe Report on Marriage Amendment May 16, 2007 - Press Release - VoteOnMarriage.org reminds legislators of the meaning of marriage April 2, 2007 - Press Release - VoteOnMarriage.org Denounces Marriage Law Repeal January 2, 2007 - Press Release - Legislative Support for Marriage Amendment Upheld in Second Vote December 27, 2006 - Statement - VoteOnMarriage Statement on SJC Ruling December 13, 2006 - Press Release -
VoteOnMarriage Files Suit Against 109 Massachusetts Legislators December 12, 2006 - Media Advisory - VoteOnMarriage to File Suit Against Massachusetts Legislators December 9, 2006 - Speech - Barnstable
Rally for Democracy - Judge John St. Cyr November 14, 2006 - Statement - A Personal Message from Kris Mineau October 25, 2006 - Press Release - Civil Rights Come from Laws, not Judges October 23, 2006 - Press Release - VoteOnMarriage.org Launches Radio Campaign October 18, 2006 - Press Release - VoteOnMarriage.org Delivers Rubber Ducks to 100 Legislators September 29, 2006 - Press Release - VoteOnMarriage.org statement on Rhode Island Court Decision September 20, 2006 - Press Release - VoteOnMarriage.org statement on Primary Elections July 19, 2006 - Statement - A Personal Message from Kris Mineau June 28, 2006 - Press Conference - Remarks by Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) June 28, 2006 - Press Conference - Remarks by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archdiocese of Boston June 28, 2006 - Press Conference - Remarks by Dr. Roberto Miranda, VoteOnMarriage.org Chairman May 9, 2006 - Press Release - Marriage Vote in Legislature Delayed until July April 11, 2006 - Legislative Hearing - Testimony by Louis DeSerres, B.A., M.B.A. April 11, 2006 - Legislative Hearing - Testimony by Dawn C. Stefanowicz January 11, 2006 - Press Release - Lawmakers File Benefits Fairness Act June 16, 2005 Press Conference - Remarks of Kris Mineau, President, Massachusetts Family Institute June 16, 2005 Press Conference - Remarks of Dr. Roberto Miranda, Chairman, VoteOnMarriage.org June 16, 2005 Press Conference - Remarks of Bishop Gilbert Thompson June 16, 2005 Press Conference - Catholic Bishop's Statement on Marriage Amendment |
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June 14, 2007
Boston - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - expressed outrage over today's Constitutional Convention vote on the Marriage Amendment citing the unrelenting pressure by Governor Patrick, House Speaker DiMasi and Senate President Therese Murray forcing some lawmakers to switch their positions on the issue during the 11th hour. "The Marriage Amendment won its first legislative vote and was on track to win its second with a healthy margin. The unprecedented pressure by leaders on Beacon Hill - the rumors of patronage jobs by Governor Patrick and arm-twisting by House Speaker DiMasi - derailed the largest initiative petition drive by citizens in the Commonwealth's history and this is a brutal loss for citizen-centered democracy," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. All three Beacon Hill leaders opposed the people's right to vote on marriage. Allegations of bribery by the Governor and arm twisting by the House Speaker as a means of pressuring legislators to switch their vote have been reported widely in the press in recent weeks. "The Governor and House Speaker have been unrelenting in fighting the natural course of advancement on the marriage amendment and the people's right to vote," said Mineau. "We will look very closely at the circumstances by which legislators switched their vote for ethics violations or improprieties." Citizens in 45 states have weighed in on the definition of marriage either through the legislative process or by constitutional amendments. VoteOnMarriage.org vows to continue the fight for the people of Massachusetts to be heard on this issue. # # # May 17, 2007 Statement of Kris Mineau in Response to Woburn, MA - VoteOnMarriage.org strongly refutes the allegations reported in today's Boston Globe that Marriage Amendment support in the legislature is slimming. No legislator has made such a pronouncement and the Globe's foray into supposition, citing unnamed sources, is irresponsible and calls into question whether their editorial bias on this issue is slipping into their reporting of the facts. Legislators who support the citizens' right to have a voice on marriage have been pressured by their leadership, the Governor, and even U.S. Speaker of the House Pelosi. It's time for outside voices and speculators to back off and let legislators represent the people who elected them, without fear of reprisal or even political manslaughter by their leadership. Kris Mineau is president of the Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org. # # # May 16, 2007 VoteOnMarriage.org Reminds Legislators of the Meaning of Marriage Woburn, MA - In recognition of the third year that same sex marriages have taken place in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by court directive, VoteOnMarriage.org will distribute to legislators on May 17 a white paper reminding them of the historical, linguistic and timeless truth about marriage as the union of one man and one woman. To view a PDF file of this legislator brief, click here. "We do not doubt the earnestness, love and commitment of same sex couples and they deserve liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But we reject the notion of marriage being redefined arbitrarily by a court to become something new today…and, in time, something else tomorrow," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. VoteOnMarriage.org will persist, through every constitutional means, in the effort to uphold what has been true about the definition of marriage for all time and in every language. # # # May 14, 2007 Statement of Kris Mineau in Response to Woburn, MA - Attorney General Martha Coakley, in addressing members of the Massachusetts Lesbian & Gay Bar Association on May 11, said that she would offer the full support of her office in challenging the Massachusetts Marriage Amendment if it were to be enacted by the citizens of the Commonwealth. "The language of the Marriage Amendment was approved by Attorney General Tom Reilly in the fall of 2005. His decision was challenged in court by opponents of the citizens' right to vote on the definition of marriage and the State Supreme Judicial Court unanimously upheld Attorney General Reilly's decision to let the Marriage Amendment go forward under the rules of Article 48. The Marriage Amendment now awaits a second legislative vote and if approved, it will go before the voters for their consideration. "Making political hay before like-minded advocates on a measure that has yet to be vetted by the legislature and the people smacks of a kind of advocacy that does not reflect due process and the rights of all the citizens Attorney General Coakley has been elected to serve. "The Attorney General has injected a level of personal bias into her professional role and that is inappropriate for a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth." # # # May 9, 2007 Legislature Stalls Vote on Marriage Amendment Vote
"Senate President Murray gave her word that a vote would be taken on the Marriage Amendment after the state budget deliberations were concluded, and we take her at her word," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. Hundreds of Marriage Amendment supporters who came to the State House from all over Massachusetts to support the amendment were disappointed that they would again have to come to the State House hoping for a legislative vote. In the fall of 2005, more than 170,000 signatures were gathered in support of the Marriage Amendment. It took the legislature a full year after the Secretary of State certified the Amendment to take the first of two constitutionally prescribed votes on the measure. If approved at the next Constitutional Convention, the Marriage Amendment goes before the voters in November 2008.
April 17, 2007
Suffolk Poll Says Nearly Two-Thirds of Registered Voters
want to
Newton Upper Falls, MA – A just released Suffolk University poll shows that 63% of registered voters believe that Massachusetts residents should vote on the definition of marriage.
“This poll is consistent with past polls and what we have said all along, that the people have a right and a desire to vote on marriage,” said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org.
The continued support for a vote on marriage comes just weeks before the May 9 Constitutional Convention where the Marriage Amendment is first on the agenda.
“If legislators are serious about listening to the people, they would be compelled to vote “yes” on the marriage amendment on May 9—without any further stalling or delays,” Mineau concluded.
The question was part of an omnibus poll of Massachusetts voters conducted by the Suffolk University Political Research Center.
# # # April 2, 2007 VoteOnMarriage.org Denounces Marriage Law Repeal
Forty five states, either by statute or by constitutional amendment, expressly define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The states of New Mexico, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York presently do not define marriage. "What right do Massachusetts elected officials have to circumvent the marriage laws of the 49 other states?" said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. As the only state that recognizes same-sex marriage, the Massachusetts law is an important defense for preserving the autonomy of each state to ensure sovereignty in defining marriage. "This move is a clear example why we need a Federal Marriage Amendment," Mineau concluded. # # # April 2, 2007 Statement of Kris Mineau in Response to
"Governor Patrick is placing his personal preference above the law, and that can never be justified especially as the state's highest constitutional officer," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. The Massachusetts law the Governor is flouting prevents couples from marrying in Massachusetts who could not legally marry in their own home state. Forty four states, either by statue or by constitutional amendment, expressly forbid same sex marriage. # # # March 21, 2007
"Implied in the new Senate President's oath must be a commitment to obey the Constitution as clearly written and recently restated by the state's high court that every amendment before the Convention must receive a vote." said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. As affirmed by several previous Supreme Judicial Court rulings and again last December, only a full up or down vote constitutes "final resolution" on amendments before the Convention. Murray predecessor Robert Travaglini ultimately led the Convention to a vote on the marriage amendment last session after numerous delays. The amendment requires a second legislative vote this session before going to the voters-the ultimate arbiters of all citizen-initiated amendments. "While we recognize that Murray, a supporter of same sex marriage, previously voted against the marriage amendment, she now represents all the citizens of the Commonwealth and they, too, deserve the right to vote on this amendment," Mineau added. VoteOnMarriage.org has activated its significant grassroots coalition to urge Senate President Murray to allow a full and fair vote on the marriage amendment. More than 170,000 citizens signed petitions to bring the marriage amendment to a legislative vote and ultimately to the ballot in 2008. # # # January 9, 2007 Massachusetts Family Institute Announces Initiative
to Promote Newton Upper Falls - Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI) today announced an initiative that seeks to build mutual respect and dialogue between those who support and those who oppose same sex marriage in Massachusetts. Advocates for same sex marriage routinely have called supporters of the marriage amendment hateful and bigoted, while amendment supporters say they are simply following the constitutional process to have their voice heard on what they view as an important social issue. MFI and VoteOnMarriage.org - the ballot question committee seeking to advance the Massachusetts marriage amendment - has endeavored to advance a campaign that refrains from name calling and does not denigrate individuals. However, as many political pundits predict, the same sex marriage debate, much like the abortion debate, will be with us for decades and MFI sees a need and an opportunity to work with leaders on all sides to promote justice in the way we discuss our differences. "The tone and rhetoric around this public policy issue has escalated to a frenzied level, too often with shouting that does nothing promote understanding. Denouncing individuals as bigots does not bring people with honest differences together. We would like to work with our opponents to raise the quality of the dialogue," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarrige.org In the coming months, MFI will convene forums and develop policy recommendations on ways to build bridges and promote positive dialogue on the very real and honest differences both sides share relative to same sex marriage and its implications on social policy in the Commonwealth. Even as this initiative beings to take shape, MFI and VoteOnMarriage.org will continue to urge supporters of the marriage amendment to be respectful of human differences and always maintain a dialogue that affirms the dignity of every person. "I have come to know my political opponent Marc Solomon, executive director of MassEquality as a gentleman who has strong personal convictions," Mineau added. "I believe that if asked he would come to the table in good faith to advance meaningful dialogue that his supporters also would embrace-today begins the process of asking." MFI is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy institute dedicated to strengthening the family in Massachusetts. # # # January 2, 2007 Legislative Support for Marriage Amendment Upheld in Second Vote Boston - After a series of parliamentary moves to undo today's successful vote on the marriage amendment in Constitutional Convention, the marriage amendment won a second vote with 62 lawmakers approving the measure. It will advance to the 2007 legislative session. # # # January 2, 2007 Massachusetts Marriage Amendment Wins Legislative Support Boston -Today, the people's amendment on marriage won legislative support, advancing the amendment to the 2007 Constitutional Convention in an effort to place the measure before the voters in 2008. The Protection of Marriage Amendment received 61 votes. Fifty votes were needed for the amendment to pass-one-quarter of the joint legislature. "Today's victory is about restoring the integrity and authority of the people's constitutional right to petition their government," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. "It says to the 170,000 citizens who signed the petitions for the right to vote on marriage that democracy still works in Massachusetts for those who are willing to take a stand for justice." The protection of marriage amendment was certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth in December 2005 and awaited a legislative vote for a full year. "Those in the legislature who sought to thwart the will and right of the people for the better part of a year conceded at the eleventh hour to the clear directive of the constitution," Mineau concluded. VoteOnMarriage.org thanks Senate President Travaglini, who conducted a dignified proceeding-allowing members to take a full and fair vote as directed by the Massachusetts constitution. # # #
January 2, 2007 Gov-Elect Patrick Statement on Marriage Vote Unconscionable Boston -Today, Governor-Elect Patrick emerged from a meeting with House Speaker DiMasi urging the legislature to violate the clear mandate of the state constitution by avoiding, by any means possible, a vote on the marriage amendment. "The same court which gave Massachusetts same-sex marriage also requires a vote on citizen petitions; I respectfully state that Mr. Patrick is dangerously misguided in calling on the legislature to violate the constitution for any matter of 'conscience'," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. On December 27, the State Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the legislature is constitutionally-required to vote on the marriage amendment. "This is not a question of conscience, it is a question of abiding by the clear directive of the constitution," said Mineau. "We are a Commonwealth of laws and our elected leaders above all must abide by the constitution." The Governor-Elect will take his oath of office this Thursday. # # # December 27, 2006 The SJC has made it crystal clear: the constitution requires a vote on the marriage amendment. As such, we expect a fair up or down vote on January 2, there are no more excuses for legislators to hide behind. As such we expect Senate President Travaglini to conduct a constitutional convention on January 2 that meets all the requirements of Article 48. Excerpt: “We conclude with these observations. Some members of the General Court may have reasoned, in good faith, that a vote on the merits of the initiative amendment in accordance with the directives of the pertinent provisions of art. 48 was not required by the constitutional text and that their duty could be met by procedural (or other) votes short of a vote by the yeas and nays on the merits. Today's discussion and holding on the meaning of the duty lays any doubt to rest. The members of the General Court are the people's elected representatives, and each one of them has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the Commonwealth. Those members who now seek to avoid their lawful obligations, by a vote to recess without a roll call vote by yeas and nays on the merits of the initiative amendment (or by other procedural vote of similar consequence), ultimately will have to answer to the people who elected them.” CLICK HERE to read the full decision (Click on OPINIONS). December 13, 2006 VoteOnMarriage.org Files Suit Against 109 Boston - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the people to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - today filed suit against 109 Massachusetts legislators in U.S. District Court in Worcester, Massachusetts for violating the constitutional rights of Massachusetts citizens by intentionally refusing to vote on a citizen initiative amendment on the definition of marriage. Represented by Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), VoteOnMarriage.org seeks to hold those legislators who have refused to obey the constitution, individually and financially accountable for violating the rights of Massachusetts citizens. "The evidence is overwhelming that those in the Massachusetts legislature who continue to recess the Constitutional Convention are doing so in an illegal effort to kill the marriage amendment by violating the state constitution," said Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. Without legal intervention or a clear up or down vote by the legislature prior to the end of the legislative session on January 2, 2007, the marriage amendment-brought forward by 170,000 citizens-will expire. The legislature will reconvene in Constitutional Convention on January 2 where observers believe debate on the marriage amendment will be filibustered until the clock runs out. According to Article 48 of the Massachusetts constitution, and previously upheld by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, the legislature has a legal and constitutional duty to vote upon all citizen initiative amendments duly brought before them. Senate President Robert Travaglini controls the rostrum during the convention and as such has sole discretion as to who is recognized to make motions or to debate. House Speaker Sal DiMasi, a vocal opponent of the marriage amendment, lobbied a majority of the caucus on November 9, 2006 to vote to recess the convention to the last day of the legislative calendar-an effort to kill the amendment without a clear up or down vote. "We are asking the Massachusetts legislature to fulfill its responsibility to the citizens of Massachusetts, to follow the constitution they have sworn to uphold and to vote on the marriage amendment," said Glen Lavy, Senior Counsel, and Senior Vice President for marriage litigation, ADF. "If they do not, then they will be held accountable for deliberately violating the law." The suit is comprised of four causes of action and seeks equitable relief and damages. Plaintiffs include VoteOnMarriage.org and 10 individuals who signed the marriage petition. The causes of action are:
VoteOnMarriage.org and co-plaintiffs ask the court to:
"The arrogance of the legislators is why we seek punitive damages," Mr. Lavy added. Tom Shields, chairman, the Coalition for Marriage and Family, an umbrella organization backing the marriage amendment said, "We support this suit because it will restore the integrity of the citizen initiative process and put its power back in the hands of 'we the people'- not an elitist legislature." Glen Lavy, senior counsel and senior vice president for Marriage Litigation at ADF, will serve as lead attorney. Mr. Lavy joined ADF in 2001 and previously was engaged in private practice. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School. While there, Mr. Lavy served as an Executive Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. Visit www.VoteOnMarriage.org for a link to the full complaint. Read the Full Complaint: http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/VOMcomplaint.pdf # # # December 12, 2006 VoteOnMarriage.org to File Suit Against Massachusetts
Legislators
WHAT
WHEN WHERE RSVP AV NOTICE # # # Barnstable Rally for Democracy I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and will support the constitution thereof. So help me God. I was 31 years old and a freshman member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives when I first took that oath. I can still remember the emotion of accepting that awesome responsibility. In five years of casting hundreds of votes, I cannot recall one occasion when I considered a measure so devoid of merit that it was unworthy of my vote either for or against. On November 9th, 2006, 109 legislators violated that oath by refusing to vote on the initiative petition to amend the constitution by defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Those who defend their failure to vote argue that the constitution does not require that they vote thereon. In order to explain the fallacy of that argument, I wish to give you some insight into the nature and origin of the initiative petition, sometimes called the people’s petition. During the years of 1917 thru 1919, an extraordinary constitutional convention was conducted for the purpose of revising our constitution. Prior to that convention, the only avenue available to amend the constitution was the majority vote of the legislature in two consecutive sessions followed by favorable ballot action. One of the primary issues in that convention was the creation of an initiative petition for a constitutional amendment whereby the voters could propose an amendment by filing with the legislature a petition signed by a designated number of voters. If 25 % of the members of the legislature voted in favor of the proposed amendment in two consecutive sessions, the matter would be placed on the ballot. The low 25% threshold was intended to recognize the preeminence of the will of the people over the will of a politically influenced legislature in the matter of amendments to their constitution. The convention ultimately adopted the initiative petition which now is contained within Article 48 of the amendments to our constitution. During the debate at the convention, John W. Cummings, a delegate from Fall River and a supporter of the amendment, explained that the need for the initiative process was driven by the lack of action on the part of the legislature in amending the constitution. It was the initiative process that would afford an alternative avenue for such relief if faced with a recalcitrant and obstructionist legislature. Eighty-eight years later, we now face a recalcitrant legislature intent on thwarting the will of the people. One section of the Article 48 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts constitution provides that “A proposal for amendment to the constitution introduced by initiative shall be voted on in the form in which it was introduced” and “Final legislative action in the joint session upon any amendment shall be taken only by the call of the yeas and nays”. That initiative petition was considered so important to the framers of this section, that they further provided that the legislature was not allowed to amend the petition except by a vote of three fourths of its membership. Little did they suspect that the petition could be killed in 2006 by a majority vote to recess. It is important to note that no initiative petition, regardless of its subject matter, is presented to the legislature without a review by the Attorney General who confirms that the amendment does not include matters which are expressly excluded from consideration. It does not require a constitutional scholar to conclude that the clear mandate of the constitution requires a recorded vote on a proposed amendment. To argue otherwise would render meaningless the entire process for the amendment of our constitution by initiative petition. One of the basic principles for the interpretation of the law is that no interpretation thereof shall be controlling which renders it void of meaning. In 2002, President of the senate Birmingham adjourned a joint constitutional convention without a vote on a prior petition to amend the constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Undaunted by such cowardice, many of you here present circulated a new petition to achieve that goal and worked tirelessly to obtain the necessary signatures. Over 170,00 voters signed that petition thereby presenting the issue to the legislature once again, hoping against hope that they would have grown some backbone. The votes of only 25 % of legislators or fifty in number were needed to advance that petition to the next legislative session and on to the ballot. On two occasions in this year, the members of the current legislature, guided by its manipulative leadership, used every conceivable devious tactic available to avoid a vote which the constitution requires them to cast. In simple terms, we do not elect Representatives and Senators to give flowery speeches in their chambers, to attend political functions and to raise money for their reelection. We elect them to vote and when they refuse to do so they fail us rather than serve us. In their daily sessions, they vote on many matters that have little or no impact on the lives of the people. How much more imperative that they cast a vote, whether for or against, on a matter as important as the document which guided the very foundation of our state, its constitution. Lest our friends and neighbors who oppose our efforts conclude that our zeal is directed by animosity toward them or their sexual orientation, I point out that we are not alone in our denunciation of the tactics of our elected representatives. I am confident that most of you, regardless of your opinion on the issue of gay marriage, feel that quality health care is important to all of us. Yet our legislature also refused to vote on another initiative petition which would have named such health care as a constitutional right. In that instance, the matter was sent to a study commission in spite of the overwhelming support of the issue in a previous joint constitutional convention. Were it not for the action of our Supreme Court, our roles might realistically be reversed. If the supporters of gay marriage in that instant had taken the necessary steps to place gay marriage before the legislature in the form of an initiative petition to enthrone gay marriage as a constitutional right, they might well be rallying and railing against legislative inaction. While I would oppose their position on the merits of the proposed amendment, I for one would join them in demanding that the legislature vote on their petition. There are many who urge us to give up the fight and move on. We would have moved on long ago had President of the Senate Birmingham, presiding over the joint constitutional convention in 2002, not chosen to adjourn and thus thwart the will of the people on a validly presented initiative petition. We would have moved on had President of the Senate Travaglini allowed a vote on the instant initiative petition in July or November of this year. And we will move on if the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which made our petition necessary by finding a constitutional right where none existed, has the courage to right that wrong by ordering the legislature to vote. This is my Christmas wish. God bless you and Merry Christmas !!!!! November 30, 2006 Legislators Debate Fluff and Reptiles, but Fail to Vote on the Marriage Amendment Newton Upper Falls, MA - As the citizens of Massachusetts plead with lawmakers to come back into session to uphold the constitution and bring the Marriage Amendment to a fair up or down vote, members of the state senate today found time to advance a bill naming the Garter Snake as the official reptile of the Commonwealth. "In summer months the Legislature debated Fluffernutter, today they name the Garter Snake the official reptile of the Commonwealth. If they fail to vote on the Marriage Amendment by January 2, they can name dodge ball our official state sport. Certainly the sarcasm and hypocrisy can't be missed… citizens have to wonder who the official snakes really are in Massachusetts," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. Against this backdrop, today Governor Romney's request to bring this matter before the state Supreme Judicial Court was heard by Justice Corwin and she has determined to advance it to the full court on December 20. "Whether through the courts or by the legislators coming to their own senses, the citizens of Massachusetts deserve to have the legislature restore the integrity of the citizens initiative petition process, and they deserve a chance to vote on the Marriage Amendment," Mineau concluded. VoteOnMarriage.org calls on Senate President Travaglini to allow a rigorous debate on the marriage amendment and ensure that a full up or down vote is taken in accordance with the Constitution. # # # November 14, 2006 Last week, Arline Isaacson, co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus (and chief lobbyist for the Massachusetts Teachers Association), stood boldly before a cheering crowd at the State House shouting "it's over, it's over." By a vote of 109 to 87, legislators recessed the Constitutional Convention to January 2 without taking a vote on the people's amendment on marriage. Each of those 109 legislators personally broke their oath of office and violated the constitution with the clear intention of never taking a vote on the people's business.
Media outlets from the Boston Globe to the Wall Street Journal and all across the Commonwealth and the country have opined about this dereliction of duty by the Massachusetts legislature. I have only one thing to say to Arline Isaacson and those like her: No, it's not over!
But to you and the tens of thousands of concerned, involved citizens who have stood with us since the beginning of this fight, I have this to say: We'll continue to fight until justice and democracy rule in Massachusetts for all citizens! While the legislature intentionally provided few alternatives for us with their blatantly unconstitutional maneuver, we are not without options and we are not without hope.
Even now, our lawyers and strategists are looking at options, both legal and political, to compel the legislature back into session to take that vote, and we have confidence that we can succeed in that regard. Backers of the Marriage Amendment are not alone in this fight. In their rush to shut down the Constitutional Convention to run from the same-sex marriage issue, lawmakers also gave a blow to a citizen-initiated amendment on universal healthcare. This measure, too, deserves a legislative vote.
As of now, January 2 is the day of reckoning for a vote on the Marriage Amendment. Then we'll see if House Speaker DiMasi will continue to be successful with his arm-twisting of members - many of whom stood with us not to recess until the Speaker personally pressured them into violating their oath of office.
As you know, gay-rights advocacy organizations, according to their own gay and lesbian newspaper, Bay Windows, poured $1 million into the November 7 election for one key reason: so lawmakers would be indebted to them and return the favor by killing the Marriage Amendment by any means possible.
This is a tragic time in our democracy, and will be a defining moment in our history. The actions of those who oppose real democracy are being exposed and people like you and me are standing up for truth and justice. We're mobilized, and we're not backing down! Your continued presence at the State House during key events is crucial, and we're looking ahead to a January 2 showdown. Your calls to legislators, letters to the editors, and personal dialogues with friends and family to get them involved in this noble fight will ultimately win the day.
Be sure to visit the VoteOnMarriage website (http://www.voteonmarriage.org/contactinformation109.shtml) for the names of the 109 legislators who betrayed our constitution and violated their oath of office.
We can move Massachusetts in the right direction by simply standing up in the face of a state legislature dominated by greed and arrogance. It's our state, not theirs. Don't let them take away your right to be heard!
Please, continue to take action as we send updates and alerts on our progress going forward. There are 49 days left between now and January 2. Together, we will win this fight!
May God bless the Commonwealth and all our families,
Kris Mineau November 9, 2006 Legislature Recesses without Vote on the People's Marriage
Amendment;
A legislative amendment on marriage, brought forward by gay marriage supporter Sen. Jarrett Barrios, was voted upon and defeated, but the citizen-initiated amendment on marriage did not receive a vote. "Senate President Travaglini and House Speaker DiMasi have broken trust with the citizens of Massachusetts by delaying the people's constitutional business,?" said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. "Is this the 'new day' the citizens of Massachusetts voted for?" Mineau added. Article 48 of the Constitution requires the Governor to call the legislature to fulfill their obligation to vote on the people's amendment. "With the failure of the legislators to vote on the people's amendment,
we are confident that Governor Romney will fulfill his constitutional
obligation under Article 48 to ensure the people's voices are heard,"
said Tom Shields, chairman, Coalition for Marriage The marriage amendment requires support by 25% of the legislature in 2006 and 2007 before it goes to the statewide ballot in 2008. More than 170,000 citizens signed petitions to bring the marriage amendment before the legislature. # # # November 7, 2006 Election 2006 Yields Sufficient Support in Legislature
to
"While VoteOnMarriage.org has not been involved in the election, we are nonetheless interested in its outcome," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. Returns from around the state as of this writing show that returning and newly elected officials who support the marriage amendment will exceed the required 25% of the legislature for the session beginning in 2007. Same sex marriage advocacy organizations gave close to $1 million to fund candidates this election cycle according to media reports. "In spite of astronomical expenditures by the same sex marriage lobby, the people voted for candidates who value their voice on the marriage issue," Mineau noted. More than 170,000 citizens signed petitions to bring the marriage amendment to a legislative vote and ultimately to the ballot in 2008. The first legislative vote on the marriage amendment is planned for Thursday, November 9. VoteOnMarriage.org anticipates maintaining sufficient support to advance the amendment to the ballot in 2008. # # # November 2, 2006 Gay Advocacy Newspaper Says, Newton Upper Falls - The gay advocacy newspaper Bay Windows today issued an open letter to the Massachusetts legislature urging them to kill, through any means possible, the people's amendment on marriage. VoteOnMarriage.org supports the people's right to vote on marriage following the process established by the Massachusetts constitution. The marriage amendment, put forward thorough the signatures of over 170,000 citizens, is scheduled for a vote by the Constitutional Convention on November 9. In the open letter, Bay Windows editor, Susan Ryan-Vollmar states: "Through organized groups like MassEquality, the Freedom to Marry Coalition and the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, LGBT people have volunteered for your political campaigns. We have raised close to a million dollars for you. We have urged our friends to vote for you." "the only honorable way to deal with this amendment is by killing it. We don't care how it's done: Vote it down, adjourn the ConCon, fail to make a quorum. Whatever. Just make this thing go away. Lawmakers owe the LGBT community nothing less." "Ms. Ryan-Vollmar's directive is a clear quid-pro-quo: we funded your campaigns to the tune of a million dollars, now go and violate the constitution as payback to the gay community," said Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org. "Legislators who break their oath and follow this directive prove they are bought and paid for by the gay rights lobby, and cannot be trusted to serve the all the people of the Commonwealth," Mineau added. VoteOnMarriage.org urges all legislators to follow the constitution and be accountable to all the people, not just the ones who fund their campaigns. Citizens are urged to contact their legislators personally and demand they obey the constitution and vote on the marriage amendment on November 9. # # # October 25, 2006 Civil Rights Come from Laws, not Judges Newton Upper Falls - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - today released on its Website policy reviews refuting the false assertion that same sex marriage rises to the level of a civil right. "A review of civil rights law in the United States shows that civil rights come from either constitutional provisions or civil rights legislation, which are enacted through the democratic process; they don't come from judges," said Daniel Avila, Esq. author of the policy reviews. The policy reviews-in long form, short form and in presentation formats-detail how civil rights laws have been enacted in the United States. The documents make plain that heretofore, no legislation or movement of the people has been ratified to create a civil right to same sex marriage. If and when it does, only then can the case be made that same sex marriage is a civil right. "Every Massachusetts legislator should carefully weigh the evidence put forward in these documents and recognize that the only way to put an end to the same sex marriage debate in Massachusetts is to vote to let the people vote on marriage," said Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org. A joint session of the Massachusetts legislature meets in Constitutional Convention on November 9 to determine the fate of the Marriage Amendment-brought forward by 170,000 citizens, approved by the Attorney General of Massachusetts and certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. VoteOnMarriage.org supports passage of the Marriage Amendment. The policy reviews can be viewed and downloaded by visiting www.voteonmarriage.org/civilrights.shtml. # # # October 23, 2006 VoteOnMarriage.org Launches Radio Campaign Newton Upper Falls - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - has launched a series of :30 and :60 radio advertisements aimed at urging legislators to vote on the Marriage Amendment on November 9. Airing in a variety of news and talk radio outlets, the ads highlight the quotes from newspaper editorials condemning the legislature for failing to take a vote on the marriage amendment last July. Variations of the ad call on citizens to hold their legislators accountable and urge them to support the people's right to a vote on marriage. "We want citizens statewide to know that the legislature's track record on the marriage amendment has been abysmal. They are not being responsive to the will of the people and they must be held accountable to hold a vote as required by our constitution," said Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org. In one spot, quotes from editorials in The Boston Globe, The MetroWest Daily News and The Eagle-Tribune punctuate the legislature's lack of accountability to the people. Other spots reference issues of vital importance to citizens that the legislature continues to avoid, namely Big Dig accountability, the tax rollback and, of course, the marriage amendment. The full text of the spots follows. Audio files of the ads can be found here.
# # # For Release: October 18, 2006 - 11
AM
"Too many members of the legislature have misplaced priorities and continue to demonstrate a lack of accountability to those who elect them," said Kris Mineau, spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org and president, Massachusetts Family Institute. "More than 170,000 of us took the Massachusetts Constitution to heart and petitioned to vote on marriage, but our elected officials ducked and ran on an issue that obviously matters to the citizens of Massachusetts," said Elizabeth Harmer Dionne of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a citizen supporter of the marriage amendment. "We're here today to say that we expect a full and fair vote on the marriage amendment on November 9. The "Duck and Run" Award is a reminder to legislators that they can run but they can't hide from the people they are elected to represent. It is a humorous way of sending very serious message that strikes at the core of what citizens expect from their elected officials: results, respect and a voice in the government that each of us supports. A vote on the marriage amendment is expected when the Constitutional Convention reconvenes on November 9. VoteOnMarriage.org draws a distinction between the 100 legislators who voted "not to vote" on the marriage amendment on July 12 and those who did not-demonstrating their intent to be accountable on the issue.
September 29, 2006 Statement by Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org relative to the decision of Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly to allow same sex couples in Rhode Island to marry in Massachusetts
This creates a new level of legal chaos for regulators and lawmakers in the state of Rhode Island and any state that does not expressly forbid same sex marriage. It also furthers the notion of Massachusetts becoming the Las Vegas of gay marriage. The citizens of Rhode Island will have to rise up like the people of Massachusetts did with 170,000 citizens signing the petition to bring the matter of marriage to a citizen referendum. Democracy must work for all citizens-not just activists who use the courts as their instrument to invent rights citizens. # # #
September 20, 2006 VoteOnMarriage.org Statement on Primary Elections Newton Upper Falls - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - made the following statement relative to yesterday's statewide primary elections. "As a ballot-question committee, VoteOnMarriage.org is precluded by law from participating in or influencing elections. VoteOnMarriage.org did not take official positions on candidates; neither did VoteOnMarriage.org participate in individual campaigns or the efforts of any political party to influence yesterday's outcomes. While there has been a shift in several legislative seats, the overall results of the primary give us confidence that that we will maintain the necessary legislative support for the marriage amendment during the 2007 Constitutional Convention. Under the current legislature, VoteOnMarriage.org believes we have the necessary votes to allow the amendment to move forward. VoteOnMarriage.org urges the legislature, and Senate President Travaglini in particular, to uphold its constitutional duty and demonstrate public accountability by voting on the people's amendment on marriage on November 9, 2006." # # #
July 19, 2006 Marriage Amendment vote on track for Nov. 9 Though the Legislature ducked the issue of same-sex marriage last week-voting to recess until after the November elections-the issue is far from dead and the Marriage Amendment is alive and well. The House and Senate will meet again on Nov. 9 to debate the people's amendment in another Constitutional Convention. There is much work to be done in the next 4 months, and VoteOnMarriage.org will be leading the way. As Chanel Prunier, Campaign Director for VoteOnMarriage.org, said, "While we had hoped to have a vote on the people's amendment last week, we are ready to use the next four months to bolster the number of legislators committed to letting the people vote on marriage. The grassroots participation leading up to the Constitutional Convention was tremendous, and we need to keep it going right up until Nov. 9." Senate President Robert Travaglini has promised a vote on the Amendment, so we have every reason to believe that that vote will take place on Nov. 9. Furthermore, the vote to recess until after Election Day was much closer than anyone expected. Ninety-one legislators voted to continue to debate and allow the Marriage Amendment to come up for a vote. This is encouraging, even if some of those legislators will eventually vote against the Marriage Amendment. We have more than enough votes to pass the Amendment before the end of this legislative session on Dec. 31. The current incumbents are the ones who will vote on Nov. 9 - their term does not end until Dec. 31, as is the case with Gov. Mitt Romney. We cannot forget that he is ready and willing to enforce the constitution should the Legislature shirk their responsibility. We are going to continue to walk the halls of the State House to make sure that the people get the chance to vote on marriage. The voters of this state-especially the 170,000 that signed the marriage petition last fall-have had enough of the Legislative two-step on the marriage issue, and are looking forward to their legislators following the constitution and voting on Nov. 9. If you have not already done so, sign up as a member of VoteOnMarriage.org by CLICKING HERE. VoteOnMarriage.org will keep you well-informed in the latest news about the campaign to let the people vote on the definition of marriage. If you have any questions about the effort, feel free to call VoteOnMarriage.org at 617-795-2667. Finally, I want to thank you for your steadfast support in the fight for marriage. Let us be encouraged that victory is clearly attainable on November 9! For our families, Kris Mineau
July 12, 2006
Newton Upper Falls - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - in commenting on today's Constitutional Convention expressed grave doubt that this legislature will ever take up the People's Amendment on Marriage for a vote - a clear violation of the state Constitution. In a second move in as many months, Senate President Robert Travaglini recessed the Constitutional Convention without taking up the Protection of Marriage Amendment. The Convention is now set to resume on November 9, after state elections, a clear political attempt to insulate incumbent legislators at the polls this November from recording their vote on marriage and for all practicality kill the people's amendment on marriage. If no action is taken on the amendment by December 31 of this year, the legislature will be in violation of Article 48 of the state constitution, which requires a vote by the joint session of the House and Senate on qualified initiative petitions. It also violates the citizens' right to be heard, thousands of whom came to rally at the State House today, on the marriage issue. "This move shows the flagrant disregard for the will of the people by Senate President Travaglini and every legislator who voted to recess the convention until November," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. This is especially troubling in light of the fact that nearly three-quarters of lawmakers voted against recessing the convention until Monday "recognizing that today's time was running short" but instead chose to recess until after the election cycle. A vote to recess is tantamount to a vote to kill the amendment. If allowed to go to the floor for a full and fair vote, VoteOnMarriage.org, as well as our opponents, is confident that there was sufficient support to pass the amendment. In another move to silence the voice of the people, the convention today voted to send to committee - a veritable political graveyard - a citizen-initiative petition on health care. As articulated in a floor speech by Rep. Marie Parente (D)-Milford, today's actions are tantamount to justice denied and democracy denied for the citizens of Massachusetts. "The legislative leadership today has made the birthplace of American democracy its new graveyard," Mineau concluded. # # # July 10, 2006 Statement by Kris Mineau, VoteOnMarriage.org in Response
to "As we have said all along, VoteOnMarriage.org had complete confidence in the integrity and constitutionality of the amendment. Our counsel knew it, as did the Attorney General's office. The SJC finally made the right call when it comes to allowing the people have a voice in our democracy. "The SJC found, as did both the Attorney General's Office and our counsel from the Alliance Defense Fund, that the amendment was not about undoing a previous ruling as the plaintiffs suggested, but allowing the people to control their own constitution and destiny. We appreciate the SJC upholding their constitutional duty and ruling on this case in a timely manner. "We are also pleased that the Schulman case is no longer an impediment to Senate President Travaglini and other legislators from doing their constitutional duty this Wednesday and voting on the people's marriage amendment." # # # Remarks by Cardinal Sean O'Malley In February of 2004, religious leaders in Massachusetts signed a statement supporting the proposed constitutional amendment to safeguard the traditional definition of marriage. Among the signers were leaders of the four Roman Catholic dioceses, the Black Ministerial Alliance, Orthodox Churches, various Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopalian communities, Jewish congregations, the Islamic Council of New England and Vision New England Churches. The signers of the statement represent over 3,000 congregations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is neither a Catholic nor a sectarian issue, it is a human issue. For thousands of years the institution of marriage, geared toward the rearing of children, has been the cornerstone of human society. Where marriage is weakened, the social cost is enormous. We have a duty to pass on a strong institution of marriage for the good of future generations. To redefine marriage as merely an arrangement among adults undermines the family and will have serious consequence in the future. Marriage is by its very nature oriented toward having children and raising them in a family. The complementary characteristics of a mother and a father contribute so much to the development of healthy and well-adjusted children. Many families without the advantage of a stable loving union of husband and wife, such as single parents and grandparents raising children, do an admirable job. Yet most people are quick to recognize that the optimal venue for children is to be born and raised in a family where the father and mother are in a permanent, loving commitment. This reality deserves to be protected by the State. Last fall a petition drive for the constitutional amendment obtained 170,000 signatures - the highest number of signatures in the history of initiative petitions. We are asking the legislature to allow the citizens of our state to vote on this crucial institution. Regrettably, this is a very divisive issue. So much polarization has
been precipitated by the Supreme Judicial Court, which by one vote has
threatened the oldest and most foundational of human institutions. We
urge the legislature to let everyone's voice be heard. Let the people
vote. Remarks by Dr. Roberto Miranda Good morning. The last time I came to the State House for a press conference, our organization, VoteOnMarriage.org, was facing the daunting challenge of collecting 66,000 certified signatures in order to place on the 2008 ballot a constitutional amendment to define marriage solely as the union of one man and one woman. As is well known by now, not only did we meet that challenge, but we came close to tripling the number of required signatures, the most successful citizen petition in Massachusetts history. We are grateful for such an encouraging outcome. It is obvious that the people of Massachusetts are far from settled in favor of gay marriage. We happen to think that, given the chance in 2008, they will come out convincingly in favor of marriage as it has been defined for millenia by all cultures, races and religions-the loving, complementary union of one man and one woman. Given the overwhelming success of our signature drive, at this moment we should be enjoying some well deserved rest, confident that the legislators of this state would heed the message of so many citizens and allow the voters their basic democratic right to express themselves in the voting booth in 2008. After all, this is not some mundane issue that is being decided, but one that has serious implications for many areas of the life of our Commonwealth and, ultimately, our nation. Instead, we find ourselves here, uncertain and insecure, unsure of what course our legislators, sworn to represent us, will take on this most serious of matters. Unelected judges have conjured up their own interpretation of marriage and family. This amendment is the only way the people of Massachusetts can determine for themselves how the society they live in and contribute to should define marriage. If, as advocates of gay marriage so confidently assert, the people of Massachusetts have made their decision in favor of gay marriage and moved on; if, as is so often repeated, our movement represents only a minority of fundamentalist, bigoted individuals out of touch with the feelings of most voters in Massachusetts, I do not see why our opponents are so afraid of allowing the democratic process to run its course and have their claims proven in the most eloquent way possible-through the results of a referendum on the matter. Of course, we know that this is simply part of the doublespeak that until now has characterized the efforts of gay marriage activists. On one hand, they publicly and confidently claim to have the solid support of the majority of Massachusetts voters, and on the other, they do everything in their power to repress the only process that will convincingly back up their questionable claim. I ask our legislators this morning, Will you do the only right thing and play this game legitimately? Our Constitution has provided citizens the recourse of a citizen petition when they are in disagreement with a decision made by the Supreme Court of the state. We have respectfully and faithfully followed the prescribed process. We have worked hard to meet the stated requirements, and believe we have earned the right to a vote on the part of citizens in 2008. We have placed our trust in the integrity and good faith of our legislators. Do not snatch away once more from the citizens of Massachusetts our constitutional
right to express our view on this matter. Allow this process to follow
its natural, legitimate course. Do not succumb to any strategy except
that of decency and respect for the democratic process. On July 12, submit
our petition for its legitimately deserved consideration, and let the
people of Massachusetts exercise their right to vote. Remarks by Governor Mitt Romney Governor Mitt Romney made the following statement today regarding the Massachusetts Protection of Marriage Amendment: "Our elected representatives in the Legislature will soon hold a historic vote. It regards the institution of marriage. But it will not be a vote for or against same sex marriage. No, it will be a vote for or against democracy. The people here today have followed the law, followed the process established in the Constitution, and gathered an astounding 170,000 signatures. Their effort means that the people, the citizens, will be free to choose how marriage is defined in Massachusetts. This is democracy pure and simple. Of course, democracy can be squashed. Only one fourth of the legislators must vote for democracy, for this question, this choice, to be given to the people. But it is conceivable that some will try to block a vote by the people by blocking a vote of the legislature. We here are speaking for democracy and the rule of the law. Whether you agree that marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman or not, surely you can agree that the course of democracy, established by the Constitution, must be followed. Is there anything more fundamental to this Commonwealth and this country than the principle that power is reserved to the people, that government is the servant, not the master? We ask for one thing: the constitutionally prescribed vote of the Legislature.
Let the people speak." June 28, 2006
Boston - Appearing today with a broad array of religious,
civic and political leaders, Governor Mitt Romney urged the Legislature
and its leaders to bring the Amendment to a "fair vote" during
the Constitutional Convention on July 12. "It is the constitutional duty of every legislator
to give the Protection of Marriage Amendment an up or down vote during
this legislative session," said Governor Romney. "The people
have a right to decide this issue, but they can only do so if the Legislature
does its job." Standing today with Governor Romney in support of the Protection
of Marriage Amendment, which would allow the voters of the Commonwealth
to determine the definition of marriage in Massachusetts, were Seán
Cardinal O'Malley, OFM Cap, Archdiocese of Boston; Bishop George Coleman,
Diocese of Fall River; Bishop Robert McManus, Diocese of Worcester; Dr.
Roberto Miranda, Chairman, VoteOnMarriage.org; Kris Mineau, President,
Massachusetts Family Institute; a bi-partisan group of state legislators
and other Amendment supporters from government and the private sector. Cardinal Seán O'Malley said, "Marriage is the
foundation of family life in our society. People of many faiths and from
many walks of life have joined us to support marriage as being only the
union between one man and one woman. The debate over the meaning of marriage
should not be limited to government officials. The magnitude of the issue
calls for full participation by the citizens of the Commonwealth. We urge
our legislators to let the people exercise their right to vote." "Governor Romney has said all along that the people's
voice matters, and today he has demonstrated that leadership again by
focusing public attention on those in the state legislature who are strategizing
to deny Massachusetts citizens the right to vote on marriage," said
Kris Mineau, President, Massachusetts Family Institute and Spokesman for
VoteOnMarriage.org. According to media reports, legislative opponents of the
Amendment are considering a variety of parliamentary procedures to avoid
a clear yes or no vote on the Amendment-constitutionally known as "final
action" by the legislature and a requirement for all citizen-initiated
petitions, such as the Protection of Marriage Amendment. "We know that the absence of fathers in our neighborhoods
contributes to the culture of violence," said Rev. Alexander Hurt,
Kingdom Church-Brockton. "The marriage amendment says to our community,
'both mothers and fathers matter' in the development of healthy families
and healthy communities." "Unelected judges have conjured up their own interpretation
of marriage and family," said Rev. Roberto Miranda, Chairman, VoteOnMarriage.org.
"This amendment is the only way the people of Massachusetts can determine
for themselves how the society they live in and contribute to should define
marriage." VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow voters to decide
on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - collected over 170,000
petition signatures last fall in support of the Protection of Marriage
Amendment. The Secretary of the Commonwealth certified the petitions last
December, moving the Amendment to the state legislature where it requires
the vote of 50 lawmakers this year and next year before going to the voters
in 2008. Governor Romney supports the Protection of Marriage Amendment
and the people's right to define marriage and family for themselves. # # # June 19, 2006 Newspaper Ads Say, "Iraqis Have the Right to Vote…What
About Us?" Newton Upper Falls, MA - VoteOnMarriage.org the campaign to allow voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - today announced the launch of a newspaper advertising campaign running in daily and weekly newspapers in various markets across Massachusetts. Complementing the successful radio ads currently airing on news/talk stations statewide, the print ads feature an Iraqi woman, raising her ink-stained finger, under the headline: "Iraqis Have the Right to Vote…What About Us?" This thought-provoking ad questions whether Iraq's new democracy is perhaps more inclusive that ours in Massachusetts - as Beacon Hill lawmakers plot to kill the Protection of Marriage Amendment, which would allow the citizens to vote on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts. "Citizens are demanding the right to be heard on the marriage issue while Beacon Hill legislators are working strategy to use parliamentary procedures and back-door politics to run from a vote," said Kris Mineau, president of Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org. Over 170,000 citizens across the state signed petitions last fall for the right to vote on marriage-the largest number of petition signatures collected in state history. The Protection of Marriage Amendment goes before a joint session of the state legislature on July 12, where 50 votes are needed this year and next year before it goes before the voters in 2008. The ad calls on the citizens of Massachusetts to contact their legislators to support the Protection of Marriage Amendment during the July 12 Constitutional Convention - no stalling, no tricks. A sample of the ads is available at www.voteonmarriage.org. # # # June 12, 2006
The spots inform citizens that some Beacon Hill lawmakers want to kill the Protection of Marriage Amendment, and therefore the people's right to vote on the definition of marriage, when for a legislative vote on July 12. "We know that 75% of Massachusetts voters believe they, not the courts, should decide on marriage," said Kris Mineau, president of Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org. "But some lawmakers think they know better than the vast majority of the voters they represent, and are threatening to block a vote using parliamentary procedures which amount to nothing more than dirty politics." Over 170,000 citizens across the state signed petitions last fall for the right to vote on marriage-the largest number of petition signatures collected in state history. The Protection of Marriage Amendment is now before Beacon Hill where 50 votes are needed this year and next year. If successful, the Amendment will go before the voters in 2008. The radio campaign calls on the citizens of Massachusetts contact their legislators to support the Protection of Marriage Amendment during the July 12 Constitutional Convention. A sample of the ads is available at www.voteonmarriage.org. In addition to the radio campaign, a newspaper campaign is planned for launch later this month. # # # May 9, 2006 Marriage Vote in Legislature Delayed Until July Newton Upper Falls, MA - Senate President Robert Travaglini
officially postponed Wednesday's Constitutional Convention until July.
Among other business was taking up the Protection of Marriage Amendment,
which would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman in the
state constitution if approved by 25% of the Legislature during 2006 and
2007 and by the voters in November 2008. VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow voters to decide on the definition
of marriage in Massachusetts - is confident that Senate President Travaglini
will give the Amendment a full and fair hearing when the Convention reconvenes.
As lawmakers await this debate in the legislature, a new poll commissioned
by VoteOnMarriage.org and conducted by State House Service shows that
75 percent of registered voters believe the voters, not the courts, should
decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts. The telephone poll, conducted between May 3 and 4, asked 400 registered
Massachusetts voters, "In your opinion, who should decide on the
definition of marriage in Massachusetts - the Voters or the Courts?"
Only 18.6% of respondents believed the courts should decide. The remaining
6.4 percent of respondents said they did not know, refused to answer or
responded "other." "Until and unless the people of Massachusetts have their say on
marriage, this issue will not go away," said Kris Mineau, president,
Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. VoteOnMarriage.org calls on all citizens to continue to contact their state senators and representatives, and urge them to support the people's right to vote. # # # May 5, 2006 Marriage Amendment Legislative Vote will be Delayed Newton Upper Falls, MA - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - has learned that Senate President Travaglini will not bring the Protection of Marriage Amendment forward during the May 10 Constitutional Convention. However, campaign officials are confident it will be taken up when the Convention reconvenes at a later date. The news comes on the heels of a new poll, commissioned by VoteOnMarriage.org and conducted by State House Service, showing 75 percent of registered voters believe the voters, not the courts, should decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts. The telephone poll, conducted between May 3 and 4, asked 400 registered Massachusetts voters, "In your opinion, who should decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - the Voters or the Courts?" Only 18.6% of respondents believed the courts should decide. The remaining 6.4 percent of respondents said they did not know, refused to answer or responded "other." "The poll confirms what we all know to be true: the people want to vote, and the legislature must be responsive to the people," said Kris Mineau, president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org. "We're confident that when the Convention reconvenes, the constitutional process will go forward and the people's amendment, which received record-breaking support, will have a full, fair hearing and a vote by the legislature," Mineau added. Some news reports indicate there may be a delay of the marriage vote pending the outcome of Schulman v. Reilly, a case before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court which challenges the constitutionality of the Amendment. Assistant Attorney General Peter Sacks argued before the SJC yesterday on behalf of Attorney General Thomas Reilly that the Amendment does not reverse the November 2003 Goodridge decision but lawfully allows the citizens to amend the constitution. The Protection of Marriage Amendment requires the approval of 50 legislators during the 2006 and 2007 Constitutional Conventions. If successful, it goes to the ballot in November 2008. "The Attorney General's office carefully reviewed the people's amendment last fall and found it to be constitutional. We believe the Schulman case will fail as a desperate attempt by our opponents to prevent the people from having a fair up or down vote on marriage," said Mineau. In the meantime, VoteOnMarriage.org is calling on all citizens to continue to contact their state senators and representatives, urging them to support the people's right to vote. "This delay affords citizens more time to contact their legislators and make their voices heard so that democracy means something in Massachusetts," Mineau concluded. # # # May 5, 2006
Newton Upper Falls - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow the voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - has learned that representatives of the so called Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas will be in Massachusetts over the coming days carrying out protests against same sex marriage. VoteOnMarriage.org and its coalition of supporting organizations abhor the tactics of this group and underscore with emphasis that they do not speak for us or the good people of Massachusetts who, in a spirit of tolerance and respect for all people, simply wish for the citizens to have a vote on the matter of marriage.
January 26, 2006 VoteonMarriage.org Cites MassEquality with Identity
Theft and Fraud; Newton Upper Falls, MA - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - today challenged in the most forceful terms the campaign of lies and deception by MassEquality-an organization that in fact is aiding in identity theft and fraud. Earlier this month, VoteOnMarriage.org called on Secretary of State Galvin and Attorney General Reilly to prosecute Ms. Angela McElroy, a paid circulator who claimed before a State House committee chaired by State Senator Augustus that she committed signature fraud. VoteOnMarriage.org has clearly stated we will not tolerate fraud. VoteOnMarriag.org is asking state officials why, if her claims are true, hasn't the supposedly fraudulent petition circulator Ms. McElroy been prosecuted, as we have formally requested? In fact, not one formal challenge of fraud against VoteOnMarriage.org was filed with the Secretary of State's office during the open process, which is now over. In the same communication, VoteOnMarriage.org raised grave concerns to Secretary Galvin and Attorney General Reilly about the legitimacy of petition complaint reporting processes established by the anti-vote organizations KnowThyNeighbor.org and MassEquality.org-whose online databases list the names of marriage petition signors. The online complaint process these groups have created actually invites fraud as the systems fail to authenticate the identity of the citizen filing. For example, anyone can select a random name from the database, pose as a disgruntled marriage petition signer and lodge a fallacious complaint of fraud-in essence stealing a legitimate signer's identity and making false statements as that person. According to individuals who have contacted VoteOnMarriage.org, this is occurring. "One gentleman received an email from MassEquality thanking him for letting his legislator know about fraud, and later received an email of thanks from State Senator Augustus for making him aware that he was a victim of fraud. In fact, the gentleman in question was an intentional signer of the petition whose identity was stolen online to send fraudulent messages in his name," said Kris Mineau, spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org and president, Massachusetts Family Institute. In addition, VoteOnMarriage.org has received a significant number of contacts from petition signers who themselves have received harassing and intimidating phone calls, as well as mailings, from MassEquality. As has been cited in media reports, these citizens have been frightened that their identities have been stolen and believe the calls and letters are intended to harass and intimidate them - a clear civil rights violation. "This is a red herring," Mineau added. "The deadline for filing complaints with the Elections Division came and went weeks ago and no formal challenges were filed. MassEquality's long charade of false allegations is fiction." # # # January 11, 2006
The Benefits Fairness Act would ensure that citizens in the Commonwealth who are ineligible for marriage are afforded necessary rights, protections, and benefits not currently provided for under Massachusetts law. Specifically the Act entitles two Massachusetts adults who are ineligible for marriage to enter into a legal arrangement which provides for reciprocal hospital visitation, health care proxy designation, after-death decisions, inheritance and estate designation, and mental health decisions. The legislation also enables employers to include this new designation in their life, health and other benefits programs. The State of Hawaii successfully enacted similar legislation in 1997, also known as reciprocal beneficiary legislation. "This Act offers Massachusetts citizens a practical and cost-effective way of securing legitimate and necessary rights, responsibilities and benefits based on need, not on sexual preference," said Rep. Philip Travis (D)-Rehoboth, the Act's key sponsor. The Act is strongly endorsed by VoteOnMarriage.org and the allied organizations that seek to define marriage in Massachusetts as the exclusive union of one man and one woman. "Do we have compassion for the needs of people? Absolutely! However the natural marriage relationship as it has been defined for millennia is fundamental, distinct and unique," said Kris Mineau, spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org and president, Massachusetts Family Institute. "Our goal is to protect the rights of all people: children to a mom and a dad; adults ineligible for marriage to appropriate benefits and protections and the citizens to a right to vote," Mineau concluded. VoteOnMarriage.org will work with state legislators and its grassroots network to urge passage of the Act. # # # Click Here to view Key Provisions of the Benefits Fairness Act January 9, 2006 VoteOnMarriage.org Seeks Investigation of Anti-Vote
Websites Newton Upper Falls, MA - VoteOnMarriage.org - the campaign to allow voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts - today issued a letter to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin with a copy to Attorney General Thomas Reilly regarding complaints and practices related to the campaigns for and against the marriage-vote effort. The letter details that VoteOnMarriage.org sought to comply fully with all applicable laws during the signature gathering process and had been found in full compliance by the Attorney General. However, the only case of fraud of which VoteOneMarriage.org is aware - the admission before a legislative committee and to the media by paid circulator Angela McElroy that she misrepresented the marriage petition in potentially 269 cases - has yet to be investigated by authorities. VoteOnMarriage.org calls on the proper authorities to prosecute this and any other circulator who intentionally misrepresented the petition. [Of note, VoteOnMarriage.org's sub-contracted agent dismissed Ms. McElroy from her employment, with cause, prior to her public admission.] VoteOnMarriage.org pledges to cooperate fully in any investigation and welcomes the opportunity to bring to justice anyone who has violated the law. The letter also raises grave concerns about the legitimacy of petition complaint reporting processes established by the anti-vote organizations KnowThyNeighbor.org and MassEquality.org. Both organizations offer searchable, online databases listing the names of marriage petition signers. Each website invites citizens to search their database and make a complaint to their office and/or to the offices of Secretary Galvin, Attorney General Reilly and state legislators if their name was listed but they did not wish to sign the petition. While VoteOnMarriage.org respects the First Amendment rights of these organizations, their online complaint process itself invites fraud in that it fails to authenticate the identity of the citizens filing complaints. Any person may pose as a disgruntled marriage petition signer, in essence stealing a legitimate signer's identity, and lodge a fallacious complaint of fraud. In addition, VoteOnMarriage.org has received a significant number of contacts from petition signers who themselves have received harassing and intimidating live and automated phone calls, as well as mailings, from MassEquality. As has been cited in media reports, these citizens have been frightened that their identities have been stolen and believe the calls and letters are intended to harass and intimidate them - a clear civil rights violation. "We have no objection to efforts to expose as-of-yet unknown instances of alleged fraud, however, we do object to the manner in which they are carrying out their anti-vote campaign," said Kris Mineau, spokesman VoteOnMarriage.org and president, Massachusetts Family Institute. VoteOnMarriage.org calls on Secretary Galvin and Attorney General Reilly to take appropriate action to protect petition signers from online, telephone and direct mail threats against their civil liberties, personal safety and security. The deadline period for filing complaints with the Election's Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office related to the petition process was January 6. No formal challenges to the VoteOnMarriage.org signature-gathering effort were filed # # # December 20, 2005
Secretary of State Confirms Marriage Amendment Petition
Drive
Newton, MA - VoteOnMarriage.org – the campaign to allow voters to decide on the definition of marriage in Massachusetts – announced today that the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth has certified 123,356 marriage petition signatures – the most ever in Commonwealth history – far exceeding the 65,825 certified signatures required to move the amendment to the state legislature.
“Considering that 170,000 signatures were collected mainly by volunteers in virtually all 351 cities and towns over a brief 60-day period, what the citizens of Massachusetts have done is nothing short of monumental,” said Kris Mineau president, Massachusetts Family Institute and spokesman, VoteOnMarriage.org.
The petition seeks to amend the state constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman relative to marriages recognized by the state after the adoption of the amendment. It requires the vote of 50 legislators in 2006 and 2007 before it appears on the 2008 ballot.
Forty four states have either constitutional amendments or legislation defining marriage as one man and one woman. Nineteen states have passed marriage amendments, with an average voter approval of 70%.
Through this historic effort, Massachusetts citizens have clearly spoken that the definition of marriage remains a major issue in the Commonwealth.
“Massachusetts citizens demand the same opportunity to vote on marriage as their fellow Americans and will insist upon having their day at the ballot box,” Mr. Mineau concluded.
The measure is expected to receive a legislative vote during the May 2006 state Constitutional Convention. | |||||||||
