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Read current letters to the editor, op-eds, commentaries and news items that address marriage equality. Every item includes links and other information for you to write your own response to the editor. Also: writing tips and links for most media outlets in the state. |
Supreme Court decisions are handed down on Thursdays, but announced on Wednesdays. This will give us only 24 hours to spread the word when notice of the decision is announced. Whatever that decision is, we call on all fair-minded Washington state individuals and organizations to commit to quickly spread the word and to join together by attending this action. For more information and downloadable flyers and posters, please go to www.DontAmend.com.
If you’d like to monitor the following website on Wednesdays, that is how we expect we will first receive word when the court will rule on Andersen/ Castle: http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/?fa=opinions.notice.
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Morning
Press conference with the plaintiff couples.
Early Evening—Day of Decision Rally
Seattle 1st Baptist Church
1111 Harvard Avenue, Seattle WA
Time: 5:30 - 6:45 P.M. (On the Evening of the Supreme Court's Decision)
Contact: Bill Dubay, Seattle DontAmend.Com
Phone: 206-850-7093
Email: SeaWADontAmend@aol.com
Sarah Luthens, Lambda Legal Field Organizer Washington State
Phone: 206-938-1056
Evening—Worship Service
The Religious Coalition for Equality will also be holding a worship service at 7pm at the Seattle 1st Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Avenue on the day of the decision if the decision is released before 4pm. All are welcome.
"Spokane Day of Decision Rally"
Federal Building
920 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA
Time: 5:00 P.M. (On the Evening of the Supreme Court's Decision)
Contact: Krista Benson, Inland Northwest Equality
Email: brooke.pjals@gmail.com
Phone: 509-838-7870
David Hopkins, Pride Foundation
Email: david@pridefoundation.org
Ramblin Jack's Restaurant
520 East 4th Avenue, Olympia
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Contact: Thurston Marriage Equality’s Anna Schlecht aschlecht@juno.com or WA State Now president Teresa Sykora Lovaas <njdevilsfan@comcast.net>, or Planned Parenthood’s Jennifer Allen, Jennifer.allen@ppww.org.
UW-Tacoma,
Mattress Factory Student Union Building
1900 Commerce Street
Time: 5:30 on the day of the decision
Check
www.gaytacoma.com or www.rainbowcntr.org.
Or call the Rainbow Center at
253-383-2318.
Pierce County Marriage Equality Coalition: Tacoma United for
Fairness, Rainbow Center,
South Sound Center, Equal Rights Washington, Religious Coalition for
Equality, Legal Marriage Alliance of Washington, American Civil Liberties
Union, Lambda Legal,
Northwest Women's Law Center, & Planned Parenthood of Western Washington
MCC Rainbow Cathedral
225 North 2nd Street, Yakima
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Contact: Rev. Jane Newall, TheRevJane@juno.com
Contact Rev. Daryn Nelsen, crossrootsministries@yahoo.com and Pride Foundation’s David Hopkins, david@pridefoundation.org
Mon., May 1st, DEADLINE to register for the conference of the Minority Bar
Associations of WA State, which is taking place on June 2nd (see the 6/2
listing below), $20- $70, For more info contact Kim Tran,
ktran@staffordfrey.com, 206-623-9900. Or www.Q-Law.org.
Mon., May 1st, 7pm, MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW, (Nearly every Monday evening
each week). Seattle Central Community College, Pine & Broadway. In the
foyer outside room 4404. Open to all marriage-equality advocates.
Grassroots, direct-action oriented. www.marriageequalitynow.org;
info@equalitynowseattle.org
May 2nd, Tues., NW WOMEN'S LAW CENTER GALA DINNER FEATURING ANNA DEAVERE SMITH!, Westin Hotel, 1900- 5th Ave., Seattle. Keynote presenter Anna
Deavere Smith is a fascinating intellectual, playwright, and a popular
actor (featured frequently on episodes of the West Wing). Tickets are $150
for champaign reception and dinner; $95 for dinner ; $50 for dinner for
students and those working in the nonprofit and/or public sector. Must RSVP
to the law center by April 24th, (206) 682-9552.
Thurs., May 4th, 10am, National Day of Prayer for Justice & Equality,
Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave. (1st Hill neighborhood,
Harvard & Seneca). For more info: Stan Kehl,
stankehl@religiouscoalition-wa.org.
Thurs., May 4th (and subsequent Thursdays for six weeks), 6:30- 8:30pm NW
NETWORK'S RELATIONSHIP SKILLS CLASS, Seattle Central Community College.
Course topics include: Identifying cultural norms & personal values;
Accountability;
Expectations & negotiation; Naming & setting boundaries; and Strengthening
support networks. This class is open to: Bisexual people & their friends & loved ones; Trans people & their friends & loved ones; Other LGBTQ people;
And is open to all regardless of relationship status or history. Suggested donation: $60.00.
No one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more info or to register,
contact Max at:
206.568.7777(v), 206.325.2601(tty), max@nwnetwork.org
Thurs., May 4th, 7:30- 9:30pm, LGBT COMMUNITY CALL TO WORK ON VOTER
REGISTRATION KICKOFF ORGANIZING MEEETING, LGBT Community Center, 1115 E.
Pike., Seattle. The project will be grassroots and volunteer-focused. It
will work with other registration efforts in the Seattle area to bring
thousands of new voters into the election efforts in November. Come join
the effort. No experience needed. Led by SEAMEC, WA Won't Discriminate,
Seattle Gay News, and Equal Rights WA. For more info: SEAMEC co-chair Jeff
Koertzen, jeff@koertzen.com.
Sun., May 7th, 2pm and 7:00pm, INLAWS & OUTLAWS (fabulous film!), Lake
Washington High School auditorium., 12033 NE 80th Street, Kirkland, $9
regular, $5 students and seniors. Documentary which features the name
plaintiff couple in the Andersen marriage-equality lawsuit pending before
the WA state supreme court. Encourage every ally and LGBT person you know
to attend this spectacularly well made film about humor, intimate
relationships, and love within marriage and outside its borders. Discussion
afterwards. Event organized by the Religious Coalition for Equality,
Bellevue/ Eastside PFLAG, and Lambda Legal. Co-sponsored by Equal Rights
WA. http://www.inlawsandoutlawsfilm.com/. Screenings in Seattle have
consistently sold out. To purchase tickets, to www.ticketwindowonline.com.
For more info: Kathy Sakahara, 425-413-0336.
Mon., May 8th , 7pm, MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW, (Nearly every Monday evening
each week). Seattle Central Community College, Pine & Broadway. In the
foyer outside room 4404. Open to all marriage-equality advocates.
Grassroots, direct-action oriented. www.marriageequalitynow.org;
info@equalitynowseattle.org
Wed., May 9th, 7:00pm, PRO/CON MARRIAGE-EQUALITY FORUM, Spokane Falls
Community College. Pro speakers will include a local religious leader, Bill
Dubay of DontAmend.com, and Dave Horn of Lambda Legal. For more info:
barbaraw@spokanefalls.edu.
Thurs., May 11th, times vary, STATEWIDE DAY OF PRAYER FOR JUSTICE AND
EQUALITY. Prayer gatherings will be taking place in Bellevue, Bellingham,
Tacoma, Olympia, Spokane, and perhaps other cities too. For more info: Stan
Kehl, stankehl@religiouscoalition-wa.org.
Sat., May 13th, 9am- 5pm, NATIONAL BLACK ENVIRONMENAL JUSTICE NETWORK'S
VERNICE MILLER-TRAVIS TO KEYNOTE CCEJ CONFERENCE, Seattle University, 901
12th Ave. Piggott Auditorium, Sliding scale $5- $100, no one turned away
for inability to pay. Ms. Miller-Travis will speak on the topic of "After
the Storm: The Environmental Justice Implications of Hurricane Katrina."
Workshops will be led by folks working with low income communities and
communities of color on a variety of issues such as Multiracial Organizing,
Toxins in Communities, Lobbying 101, Art in the Struggle and more. Join
hundreds of people for entertainment, networking, learning and discussion
on how we can make a better world. Free continental breakfast and lunch
provided. To register, go online www.ccej.org. For more info: Community
Coalition for Environmental Justice, 206-720-0285
Sat. May 13th, 10:00- noon, LEGAL MARRIAGE ALLIANCE OF WA executive-board
meeting, LGBT Community Center, 1115 E. Pike (2nd Saturdays of the month).
Open to all marriage-equality advocates, though it's good to contact
President Roger Winters if you're planning to attend (roger@lmaw.org).
www.lmaw.org
Tues., May 16th, 5:30pm, HATE-FREE ZONE WA ANNUAL DINNER, Washington State Convention & Trade Center. For more info: www.hatefreezone.org
Sat., May 20th, 9am- 4pm, WA STATE NOW CONFERENCE "LOCAL TO GLOBAL: WOMEN
TAKING ACTION!," Central WA University, Ellensburg. For more info:
njdevilsfan@comcast.net or womenvotenow@yahoo.com.
Sat., May 20th, 8:30- 12:30pm, TEACHING DIVERSITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL
UNDERSTANDING THROUGH DOCUMENTARY FILMS, UW-Seattle, HUB Room 310. The workshop will introduce educators to documentary films that can be used to
teach students about cultural diversity and cross-cultrual understanding.
This year's workshop will feature films dealing with issues for Latin
Americans, Europeans, Indians, and the Inuit in Canada's Far North.
http://www.jsis.washington.edu/canada
Thurs., May 18th, THE NATION COLUMNIST PATRICIA WILLIAMS on "Civil Rights
in an Era of Civil Wrongs," Town Hall, 1119- 8th Ave., Seattle. Free ticket
required through the University Bookstore, 206-634-3400. Hailed as one of
the most provocative intellectuals in American law Patricia Williams, will
address current events and their impact on American life. Her biggest area
of concern is the concept of "personhood."
http://www.grad.washington.edu/lectures
May 19, Fri., 6 pm,; 2nd Annual Washington STATE GAY- STRAIGHT ALLIANCE GSA
Network's GSA Banquet & Awards Ceremony at the IKEA Performing Arts Center,
400 S. 2nd St., Renton. Tickets available 24/7 at BrownPaperTickets.com or
toll- free 1-800-838-3006 or at the door on a space available basis. 7 pm
awards ceremony is free of charge. Award nomination forms at
http://www.wagsa.org
Tues., May 23rd , 6- 8pm, CONNECTIONS: QUEER ISSUES & IMMIGRATION ISSUES"
at the LGBT Community Center, 1115 E. Pike, Seattle. Topics in this
training/ information session will include will include immigration options
for queer/LGBT folks, potential changes in immigration laws that can
benefit and harm queer people, existing legislation and options for two
immigrants who are in a same-sex relationship with each
other as well as for binational couples, pending legislation such as the
scary Specter Bill and the links between queer and immigration issues -
the last will be more in a discussion and brainstorming format. The
session will be facilitated by an immigration advocate/ trainer from the NW
Immigrant Rights Project. Free. Sponsored by Trikone NW. For more info:
Dipika Nath, dipika@u.washington.edu.
PRIDE EVENTS THIS MONTH in Bellingham (June 4th), Spokane (June 11th),
Olympia (June 17th), and Seattle (June 24- 25th)
Fri., June 2nd, 8:45- 7pm, GETTING AHEAD AND GIVING BACK: DIVERSITY IN
WASHINGTON'S LEGAL COMMUNITY, Seattle University. Attorney Alphonso David
from Lambda's New York office will be speaking at the conference. One of
the workshops will be "Why Marriage Matters: A Case Study on Tax
Discrimination and Same-Sex Couples of Color." $25- $70. Organized by the
Minority Bar Associations of WA State (10 organizations including QLaw).
For more info contact Kim Tran, ktran@staffordfrey.com, 206-623-9900, Or
www.Q-Law.org.
Thurs., June 8, all day, City of Seattle Public Utility Employees' PRIDE
EVENT FEATURING GRETHE CAMMERMEYER AND JAMIE PEDERSEN, Seattle City Hall,
600- 4th Ave.
Sat., June 10, 5:30- 9pm, LELO'S ANNUAL AWARD DINNER CELEBRATING WORKING
WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE MOVEMENT, South Seattle Community College, 6000- 16th
Ave.,. SW, Seattle. Ad and table deadline: May 18th. Individual ticket
purchase deadline June 1st. Join the Legacy of Equality, Leadership, and
Organizing as they honor the 2006 Domingo, Viernes, Jefferson, and John
Coughlan Youth Award winners. For more info: moon@lelo.org, 206-860-1400 x
5.
Sat., June 17th, CHAYA ANNUAL DINNER AND AUCTION, Hilton Seattle, 1301- 6th
Ave., Seattle.
Sun., Jun 18th, INTERFAITH PRIDE SERVICE. For more info: Stan Kehl,
stankehl@religiouscoalition-wa.org.
Many thanks to Jean Buskin for her peace and justice calendar,
http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar/
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