[Equal Marriage] Draft Letter Solicting LGBT Support

[Owen Broadhurst]

[This is obviously geared towards 3rd Hampden District residents, but can
easily be modified - OB]


Dear civil rights advocates and equal marriage rights supporters:





Only but once in a blue moon have our communities forceful and vocal
champions of our human rights and civil liberties campaigning for public
office. Very rarely have we the pleasure to find among our choices on the
ballot a strong voice for dignity, liberty, the safeguarding of our rights,
and genuine equality. Never before have we seen fielded as a candidate an
uncompromising advocate of our struggle. Yet, I am now that candidate.



My name is Owen R. Broadhurst. I am a candidate for State Representative in
the Third Hampden District. I am a long time activist in both the National
Lavender Green Caucus, and the Green-Rainbow Party Lavender Caucus; and I am
a former Northampton Pride March Steering Committee member who was
instrumental in the creation of the Green-Rainbow Party's Equal Marriage
Taskforce and will fight to defend our rights and liberty.



In the person of Owen R. Broadhurst, you can expect a candidate who shall –



   - *Defend *full equal marriage rights and *Oppose* the homophobic
   petition, Petition K, now being challenged by the Gay/ Lesbian Advocates and
   Defenders before the Supreme Judicial Court. I believe the petition is
   illegal, and am determined to campaign against it. I reject the Phil Travis
   "Marriage Affirmation and Protection Act", and find nothing "democratic" in
   a majority deciding any minority's rights.



   - *Defend *the Gay/ Straight Alliance movement in our public schools
   against the continued efforts of such hate groups as the Article 8 Alliance
   and its allies on Beacon Hill to zero-fund or level-fund their
   continued and needed advocacy.



   - *Support *the complete and inclusive health curriculum such as that
   now being advanced in H. 1641 and S. 102, and so violently being challenged
   by the Article 8 Alliance; and *Oppose* so-called "opt-in" legislation
   such as H. 1050.



   - *Oppose *any House counterpart of S. 316, and similar legislation
   intended to forbid continued research into "risk" behaviors, suicidal
   inclinations, and drug abuse history for children in our public schools.
   Such research has been instrumental in advancing the Gay/ Straight Alliance
   movement and public policy geared towards creating "safe spaces" and
   anti-bullying efforts in our schools.