Tell Phoenix Politicians to Trust the People

As you know, voters defeated this amendment two years ago. So, why won’t Phoenix politicians listen to us? Do they think we are dumb? In 2006, we voted NO, and now they are back at it again, putting divisive issues on the ballot. We need to stop spending time debating the definition of marriage.

In fact, why aren’t we dealing with more important issues? We would rather focus on issues like health care, immigration, energy policy, and the economy. Arizona has a budget deficit. But what do politicians spend their time debating? Marriage, even though it is already defined as between a man and a woman.

Proponents for this amendment have raised more than $3 million to overturn the will of the voters. With only 45 days left before the election, now is the crucial moment to work together and defeat their efforts again. Please take a few minutes to give a donation online today.

The stakes are high. Please give generously today.

Help make history, again!

You can take action to defeat Prop 102 in your community!

Canvassing: walk and knock! Join 102 walkers against 102.

• Saturday, Oct. 11, 8:30AM-Noon (fabulous lunch included!) at 452 S. Stone Ave (Grijalva Campaign HQ — see map). Email to sign up!

Event table staffing: a great opportunity to share your stories and encourage folks to vote No on 102! Email to sign up!

• Generation Obama, Saturday, Sept. 27, 3-7PM at Armory Park (See map).
• Pride in the Desert, Saturday, Oct. 18, 10AM-5PM at Reid Park (See map).

Phone banking: everyone is excited for this election, so when you call, they are happy to chat! Email to sign up!

• Sundays, Sept. 28, Oct. 5 & Oct. 12, 3-5PM
• Tuesday, Oct. 7, 6-8PM

Walk packet stuffing: help get No on 102 literature in every packet that will go to voters in Southern Arizona.

• Every Friday until the election, 10AM-?, 452 S. Stone Ave (See map).

Sign up today!

Did you see this in the Sept 23 issue of The Advocate?

Now that hope is being put to the test in California, Florida, and once again, Arizona, which all face ballot initiatives against same-sex marriage this election cycle. But while donations are pouring in to defeat the initiatives in the first two states, money is only trickling into Arizona’s gay rights groups. … If donations and attention are the currency of this campaign, marriage equality advocates could be up a creek.

“We’re hearing from individuals who have the money to fight these things that they’re giving to California and Florida because they feel like they can win there — and are skeptical about our chances here,” says Robert Tindall, a Phoenix human resources consultant and board member for the state’s American Civil Liberties Union. Adds Rebecca Wininger, a member of the Phoenix chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, “To say that one fight is more important than another dismisses the other fights.”

Donations and attention are most certainly the currency of this campaign. Arizona turned back a so-called “marriage amendment” in 2006, becoming the first state in the nation to do so at a time when everyone thought it was impossible.

But just because we did this in 2006 doesn’t mean that it will automatically happen again in 2008. We can defeat Prop 102 again, but we cannot do this without your help. Help us preserve your 2006 victory and tell them that when you say no, you really mean no. Please give today, as generously as you can.

Help get the word out about the detrimental effects this amendment might have on Arizona’s families. Talk to everyone, your friends, co-workers, family members, grocery store clerks, and church members. Tell them how this will affect you personally.

You may want to talk about how:

• It is already illegal for two people of the same sex to marry in Arizona and how this initiative is a waste of money.
• Arizonans already voted on and defeated a similar amendment in 2006. Extremists groups are pushing policy too far to the right.
• We have more important issues to focus on, like the economy, jobs, the price of gas and food, education, and health care.
• Phoenix politicians are trying to change our laws and intruding in our private lives.

We have added two new resources on our web site to help you do this.

1. Write to the media: If you want to write a letter to the editor or a guest opinion, we have information on where to send it. We also have a list of web sites for 53 local newspapers around the state.
2. Give Media Interviews: What do you say when a reporter walks up to you and asks for your opinion? We have several suggestions on how you can put a human face on the issue.

If you’d like to be part of the No on Prop 102’s Media Rapid Response Team, contact  Vicki Gaubeca at .

Other communities across Arizona are organizing to defeat Prop 102, including Flagstaff, Prescott and Bisbee. For more information about these groups or to start your own, contact Becky Corran, .

Attend the Arizona Together Opposed to Prop 102 messaging training in Phoenix and Tucson this weekend.

Training will be held in Phoenix on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Scottsdale Congregational Church — 4425 N. Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale.

Training will be held in Tucson on Sunday, Sept. 14, 11 am to 1 pm at the campaign office for Grijalva for Congress — 452 South Stone Ave, Tucson.

The training will be presented in partnership with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC). to RSVP.

Do you want to help distribute No on Prop 102 literature on door-to-door walks, make phone calls, participate in community outreach and coalition building? Would you like campaign materials to distribute at church, work or social gatherings? If so, please send an email to Becky Corran, .

Are you interested in writing editorials and letters to the editor? Do you have a story you would like to share with the media? Would you like to be part of the media response team (media coaching provided)? Would you like to produce a Youtube.com video or create a blog? Do you have marketing (ad agency) or public relations experience? If so, contact Vicki Gaubeca, media committee chair, at .

Join Southern Arizona ’s interfaith coalition to advocate for LGBTQ inclusion and equality. This coalition is critical to the success of the No on Prop 102 campaign. The month of October will be dedicated to informing congregations about Proposition 102 and how our faith informs us about this proposition. If you are a person of faith, regardless of denomination, and want to join the efforts of this group, please contact Scott Morris at .

Wingspan and the “No on Prop 102″ action group are sponsoring a forum to galvanize community opposition to Proposition 102,the latest version of a proposed “anti-marriage” amendment to the Arizona constitution.

An earlier version of Proposition 102 that banned domestic partnerships as well as same-sex marriage was defeated in Arizona in 2006. The margin of rejection was about 40,000 votes in Pima County, and many of those who led the 2006 campaign are back to oppose Proposition 102.

The forum will concentrate on information exchange, details about the statewide and local campaigns, and planning of strategy to defeat the proposition.

Event Details:
Sep 04, 2008, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wingspan, 425 E. 7th St., Tucson

Event Sponsor:
Vote No on Prop 102

For More Information:
Contact Courtney Jones
520-624-1779