In 2004, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts began civilly recognizing same-sex marriages. While predictions of calamity caused by this historic event have not come true, the legislative debate continues.
The Arc Toward Justice Project is an independent effort to compile and present long and short form video of the most compellingly good - and bad - highlights of the debate.
Our first release in March 2004 was "The Arc Toward Justice," a 28-minute compilation of speeches by those state senators and representatives who stood up for equal marriage rights during the heated and highly politicized debate in the Statehouse.
Our new shorts (under one minute each), released Sept. 2005, show opponents of equal rights making their case, in juxtaposition with the words of equal marriage rights supporters.
The
arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Opponents |
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| Click "Opponents" or "The Arc Toward Justice" to see videos | The
Arc Toward Justice released March 2004 |
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There is much you can do to help the cause of equal marriage rights. You can join and/or donate time, resources or money to any of these groups that are actively working to secure equal marriage rights for all American citizens:
GLAD (http://glad.org/) - these are the advocates & legal defenders who have pursued civil rights through civil & legal actions in the New England area for over 25 years.
Freedom To Marry (http://www.freedomtomarry.org/) - a nationwide organization which hopes to secure marriage equality throughout all of America.
PFLAG (http://pflag.org/) - the national organization of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Some of the most ardent supporters of marriage equality are the parents of those denied the same marriage rights as their heterosexual siblings.
MassEquality (http://massequality.org/) - a coalition of local and national organizations defending equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in Massachusetts.
In addition, and very importantly, you should contact your legislator! Call or email them and ask for their vote to protect the rights of all their citizens and constituents to enjoy the benefits & privileges of marriage. Be courteous, say thank you - even if you do not agree with their choice. More than one legislator in Massachusetts was swayed because they were put off by the belligerent threats of the anti-gay lobbyists and impressed by the polite manners of the pro-marriage lobbyists. By the same token, don't barrage them with constant harangues to vote your way. That also put off some legislators.
Legislative
contact info:
MassEquality's contact
your legislator page
Legislators
by city / town at Mass.Gov