Equality Texas Blog

EQTX joins United for Marriage: "Volunteer Vacation" in ME, MN, MD or WA

September 12, 2012

Summer is winding down, but vacation season is just getting started!

This November, marriage for lesbian and gay couples is on the ballot in four states - Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington.  This means we have the opportunity to win marriage at the ballot box for the first time ever! We want you to be part of history!

Between now and November, Equality Texas is joining with United for Marriage to mobilize supporters like you to take a "volunteer vacation" to one of the four ballot states and help secure the freedom to marry.

What is a volunteer vacation? It's simple.

Marriage supporters from Texas will travel to ME, MD, MN, or WA. You will receive a full orientation and training, then work with a dedicated team on a campaign to win marriage equality. Spend a week, two weeks, or a month - it's up to you!

United for Marriage will work with you to arrange your travel, housing, and transportation plans.

Ready to get your volunteer vacation started?

Yes, sign me up now!

No, but I'd like to sponsor a volunteer by donating frequent flyer miles or making a contribution.

Over the past year, we've already seen state legislatures pass marriage bills and federal courts rule against DOMA. And now this November, we have four strong chances for the first marriage victories at the ballot box.

There has never been a more pivotal moment in the movement to win the freedom to marry for all loving and committed couples.  That's why it is crucial that marriage supporters from all regions of the country, including Texas, take action now and help us win on election day.

Only 55 days remain until Election Day. We need all hands on deck to win these important battles.

Click here to sign up for your volunteer vacation and a United for Marriage organizer will contact you soon with more details.

Or click here to donate frequent flyer miles or cover the travel cost for one volunteer.

I know supporters like you will make Texas proud as you travel to make this Election Day one for the history books.

Thank you for taking action,

Chuck Smith 
Interim Executive Director, Equality Texas

After primary election the need for citizen lobbying is greater than ever

Will the person who sits in this seat know how you feel about LGBT issues?

The one thing that is certain after Tuesday's primary election is that next year's Texas Legislature will not be last year's Texas Legislature.

In the House we knew that 31 incumbent members would not return for the 2013 legislative session. Tuesday night an additional 6 incumbents lost their races to primary challengers and 4 were forced into run-offs.

On the Senate Side 4 incumbents are not running for re-election and one, Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R, San Antonio), was forced into a runoff primary.

So of the 183 faces in the Texas Legislature at least 41 of them will be new come January 8, 2013 when the 83rd legislature convenes, and that's before the general election ever takes place.

This upheavel makes it more important than ever that LGBT people and our allies communicate with elected officials (and candidates). Many of the new people in the legislature are relative newcomers who have never sat down and thought about the need for employment and housing protections for transgender Texans (which 70% of Texas voters support) or about how our laws take away the rights of LGBT parents (an issue that 69% of Texas voters think needs to be addressed). We must bring these issues to their attention.

The Texas Tribune has an excellent bracket of the various legislative races. Check out who's running to represent you and make sure they hear about your issues.

-Daniel Williams,
Field Organizer