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7th District Special Election Candidate Forum
Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 7pm
Jesus Metropolitan Community Church, 2950 East 55th Place, Indianapolis
All official candidates for the special election will be invited to participate.
This is THE opportunity for you to ask questions of your candidates for Congress about the issues that matter to you!
Equality IS a Hoosier Value! Rally
Monday, February 18, 2008, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Indiana Statehouse, North Atrium, 200 W. Washington St.
Show our legislators that words do matter! Help ensure that Indiana:
• prevents the passage of a DANGEROUS AMENDMENT that HURTS ALL HOOSIERS
• recognizes that HOOSIERS deserve to be PROTECTED from BIAS-BASED CRIMES
• expands its CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS to include ALL HOOSIERS
We were successful in 2007 in killing SJR-7, but we are certain that it will be back again for another attack on Hoosiers rights! It is more important than ever to help educate your legislators on its hidden dangers. While increasing numbers of representatives are becoming aware of growing problems with “marriage discrimination amendments” passed by other states, we need your help to let them know how they can make the best decision for Indiana.
It is also important to tell our legislators that we want bias crimes legislation to be enacted, and civil rights protections expanded. All Hoosiers deserve not to live in fear for their lives or in fear they might lose their job.
Help us cast the widest net possible by ALERTING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS to this important opportunity to make a difference and voice your concerns.
Join Us for a Victory Celebration
Monday, April 09, 2007, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
748 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis (Old Firehouse)
Bring Your Family and Friends!!
Food and drink (a cash bar) will be available at this festivity. A wide range of community leaders, allies, corporations, elected officials, and other supporters are planning to join in the celebration.
Background
On April 3rd the Indiana House of Representative's Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee voted on Senate Joint Resolution 7, the Marriage Discrimination Amendment. The vote was a 5-5 tie. Without a majority vote, SJR 7 will not advance out of committee, and is effectively dead for the 2007 legislative session.
This is a significant victory for equality, freedom, and justice in Indiana! If ratified, SJR 7 would have meant the loss of domestic partner benefits, a loss of protections for victims of domestic violence, and a loss of child and elder care rights, as seen in other states.
Indiana Lawmakers Features SJR7
Sunday, February 25, 2007, Check your local listings
WFYI Public Television
In-studio guests for this week's show about SJR 7 [definition of marriage] and SB 65 [definition of "family or household member" ] are Sen. Brandt Hershman (R), Rep. David Orentlicher (D), Sue Swayze from Indiana Family Action, and Walter Botich from Stop the Amendment.
The show airs Friday, Feb. 23rd at 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 25th at 4:30 p.m. on TV 20, and Saturday at 6:30 a.m. on WFYI 90.1 FM.
'Read the Fine Print!' Rally at the Statehouse
Monday, February 19, 2007, 1pm - 2:30pm
Statehouse, North Atrium, 200 W. Washington St.
With the amendment being debated again during this year’s legislative session, it is more important than ever to help educate your legislators on its hidden dangers. While increasing numbers of representatives are becoming aware of growing unintended problems with “marriage amendments” passed by other states, we need your help to let them know how they can make the best decision for Indiana.
Help us cast the widest net possible by ALERTING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS to this important opportunity to make a difference and voice your concerns. Join us in asking our legislators if they have “Read the Fine Print.”
RSVP for the Rally!
Amendment Lobby Training
Monday, February 19, 2007, 9:30am - 11:30am
Christ Church Cathedral, 125 Monument Circle
Stop The Amendment will be leading the session on SJR7 as part of Indiana Equality's "Lobbying Your Legislator 101" training. We will be covering:
• The process of amending Indiana's Constitution
• Background on the Amendment
• Facts, talking points, and likely objections.
Come get a crash-course in how best to communicate and educate your state legislator on this important issue. You will have an opportunity to meet with your legislator at the "Read the Fine Print!" Rally following the training at 1pm. In addition to the amendment training session, Indiana Equality will also be offering a session on Bias Crimes.
There is a $5 charge which covers training, materials, and a continental breakfast.
Reserve Your Spot!
SJR7 Senate Hearing
Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 9am
Statehouse, Senate Chamber
Public testimony will be heard in the Indiana Senate in regard to SJR7. Help us pack this hearing with people who understand the dangers of this amendment. Let's send a clear message to our senators that it would be a monumental mistake to amend Indiana’s Constitution.
Election Night Reception
Tuesday, November 07, 2006, 6:30pm - ?
Urban Element Restaurant, 901 N Pennsylvania, Indianapolis
As a thank you for all of your hard work this campaign season, join us at a special reception sponsored by Indiana Equality PAC and Human Rights Campaign. Complimentary appetizers will be provided, plus beer and wine will be available for purchase. Have fun while watching the election results come in!
Amendment Workshop
Monday, October 30, 2006, 8pm - 9pm
IU, Indiana Memorial Union (Sassafras Room)
Stop The Amedment will be presenting a workshop detailing the dangers of the proposed amendment to students on the IU Bloomington campus. Topics that will be covered include domestic violence protections, adoption, contractual agreements, higher education, and the economy. Click here for a campus map.
Amendment Discussion Forum
Wednesday, October 25, 2006, 11:30am - 1:00pm
IUPUI, Democracy Plaza
Educate yourself on the dangers of the proposed amendment! This hour-long discussion will cover how the amendment proposed in 2005 threatens the rights and legal protections of all Hoosiers. There will also be opportunities to ask questions and to share your thoughts. Come and learn how this amendment affects all unmarried persons in Indiana. Democracy Plaza in located between the Technology Building (ET) and the Business/SPEA Building (BS). Click here for a campus map.
Canvassing for Lee Ann Mengelt
Saturday, October 21, 2006, 9:00am - 2:30pm
Yorktown, IN (Muncie Area)
Join STA for a day of canvassing for Lee Ann Mengelt, candidate for State Representative. It is critical for us to support candidates like Mengelt who understand the dangers of the proposed "marriage" amendment. We will be catching a bus the morning of October 21st at the Marion County Democratic Party Headquarters located at 603 E. Washington Street, across from the Indiana Business College. The bus will be leaving Indianapolis for Yorktown promptly at 9:30am, so we recommend that you show up around 9am.
If you aren't sure what canvassing is, don't worry! Basically we will be knocking on doors and talking to people in the district. We will give you all the information and materials you will need on the way to the district.
There is no cost for this trip, and food and soft drinks will be provided. We should return to the pick-up point in Indianapolis around 2:30pm.
If you are unavailable this particular Saturday, there are several other opportunities for you to participate. There will be trips to other districts every Saturday between now and the election in November.
To register for canvassing on Saturday, October 21st, (or other Saturdays) go to www.iepac.org. Grab a group of friends! This is a fun way for you to make a difference this election year. Remember, democracy is not a spectator sport!
Campaign Convention
Saturday, August 19, 2006, 8:30am - 5:30pm
IUPUI, Lecture Hall (325 University Blvd., Indianapolis)
Indiana Equality Political Action Committee and Human Rights Campaign invite all Stop The Amendment members to learn how to effectively campaign to make a difference in this fall's elections.
The campaign training will cover a variety of election topics including field planning, voter targeting and contact, messaging, and volunteer development
The convention will also feature a series of workshops to review the important issues facing Hoosiers:
- Adoption and Foster Care
- Civil Rights Issues
- Environmental Issues
- Health Care
- Immigration
- Indiana's "Marriage" Amendment
- Labor/Privatization Issues
- Reproductive Rights