| Marriage Equality and Other Issues Affecting the GLBT Community |
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Marriage equality is the most important issue facing the GLBT community at this moment. But it's not the only one. It's important that we all stay aware of pending legislation that affects us and our families. It's also important that we know who our state and federal elected representatives are and that we contact them with our concerns. And it's crucial that we all vote.
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Vote! This is the single most important thing that you can do as a concerned citizen. If you're not registered to vote in the State of Maryland,
get a voter registration form here. Fill it out and mail it in. It's that simple!
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Know the Legislation! Be aware of pending legislation and bills affecting the GLBT community. You can link to the Maryland General Assembly site to find an index of bills. If you select MARRIAGE from the first drop-down box, you will be taken to a list of all bills referencing marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships and the anti-GLBT so-called "Marriage Protection Act".
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Contact your elected representatives! If you don't know who your state and federal representatives are, find out here.
Here are a couple of simple tips to keep in mind when contacting your representatives:
Be sure to include your name and address in any form of correspondence
Handwritten letters get the most attention
Try to show how the legislation affects you or your loved ones personally
Phone calls work fine - be sure to leave your name and number and address
Emails are fine if they are personal
Avoid form letters - they might be ignored
If a legislator supports your position, be sure to thank them!!!
Be respectful in your tone
Always ask for a response
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Writer's block? If you're not sure what to write, here are some sample paragraphs you can use. There is also a great letter to President Bush that might inspire you. It's from the father of a gay man. We have removed his name and address for privacy.
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Talk to your family and friends! Many people don't realize the pros and cons of the issues facing the GLBT community. We need to get people thinking beyond the "sound bites" that we hear in the media. Everyone must understand that these issues affect lives and families. You can use these talking points when discussing the issue of same-sex marriage.
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