[Equal Marriage] GRP Equal Marriage Task Force

[Colby E.Peterson]

Hello!

At the October 15th State Committee meeting in Springfield, I was 
pleased to introduce a proposal with my colleague and friend Owen 
Broadhurst that would solidify and strengthen the Green-Rainbow Party's 
stance on what I believe history books will consider to be one of the 
most important civil rights battles in the United States, the fight 
over equal marriage protection for same-sex couples. The proposal would 
first and foremost ensure that we continue to support initiatives and 
candidates that are on the side of marriage equality. Secondly, it 
would create a task force to investigate ways the GRP could support 
efforts to maintain, particularly here in Massachusetts, the equal 
status of marriage.

I am pleased to report that the proposal passed with full consensus. 
With much of the discussion already taken place at the summer State 
Committee meeting (although quorum was not met at that time), the 
proposal was on the fast track for approval at the October meeting. 
With quorum met, the Green-Rainbow State Committee demonstrated a 
serious commitment and union over this extremely important and very 
contemporary issue. The passing of this proposal reenters the GRP into 
the political fray in a new and more active way than ever.

The proposal mandates three very important activities for the new Equal 
Marriage Rights Task Force to perform:

1. Protect the SJC's decision by maintaining the current status of 
marriage in the commonwealth by working with non-partisan groups, 
independently, and through other methods devised by the group, all 
under the partisan banner of the Green-Rainbow Party.

2. Develop educational literature for the general public and internal 
literature for the party membership concerning the stance of the party, 
the actions we intend to take on them, and the legitimacy of the SJC's 
decision.

3. Raise awareness and public profile of the Green-Rainbow Party's 
position and actions in the public consciousness and imagination.

This new task force is not only designed to protect those who would be 
persecuted here in Massachusetts, but it is also deliberately fashioned 
to also increase our own public image on this issue, which other than 
individual campaigns, has been low to nothing up to this point. It is 
very important that we get our message out on this issue because there 
are many opportunities to build alliances with other organizations, but 
also because of the GRP's unique stance on the issue- "We have always 
and always will be in favor of equal marriage rights." We need to show 
to the GLBT+ community that we stand with them, and we will never leave 
them. No other political party can say that.

The historical context for this proposal and call to action could not 
be better. This is the pivotal year for action on this issue. The 
constitutional amendment with the proposed language change from 
"marriage" to “civil unions” was defeated in its second constitutional 
convention, thereby killing it. But the clock is again ticking as a new 
proposed amendment that eliminates all versions of same-sex marriage 
could appear before voters in 2008 if it is not stopped. This issue is 
an opportunity the Green-Rainbow Party cannot remain silent on any 
longer, and cannot afford to miss. We have a legacy of diversity and 
acceptance in our party, and from the beginning we have support civil 
rights, it is certainly time to show that actions are greater than 
words.
If you feel strongly on this issue and have been looking for a way 
funnel that energy into something tangible, you must join the 
Green-Rainbow Party Equal Marriage Task Force. An email list has 
already been created to discuss a physical meeting time and place with 
the intent to build momentum. To join the list, simply visit this web 
site:

http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/equalmarriage

and follow the easy instructions. Even if you are remotely interested, 
join and you can at least read the developments in an email digest 
form. The time has come to form this task force so we can get a head 
start on this new amendment and begin our very important work defending 
marriage equality in Massachusetts and beyond. Join us!

NOTE: Discussion is already beginning concerning our strategy during 
this important and pivotal year. Please join up to read on some ideas 
that intelligent folks are coming up with!

Peace,
  Colby