| christian grantham | |||
| Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD. | |||
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latest posts
February 23, 2005
When Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall, representing the 13th district, proposed and then passed HB 751 last year, it gained national attention. The discriminatory bill was called one of the most anti-gay bills in the country, preventing contracts between people of the same sex purporting to confer any rights associated with marriage.
A civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage is prohibited. Any such civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement entered into by persons of the same sex in another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respects in Virginia and any contractual rights created thereby shall be void and unenforceable.
[HB 751 - Affirmation of Marriage Act for the Commonwealth of Virginia]
One website, VirginiaIsForHaters.org, proposed a nationwide boycott of the state's businesses and encouraged gay and lesbian residents to flee the state.
Barbara and Tibby have sold their house. In April, they plan to move to Maryland, where they are certain the legal steps they've taken will protect both of them.
[Couple feels forced to leave - Freelance Star - 01-09-05]
A handful of couples did just that, but most of us who could stayed behind to stand up for principles of freedom and fairness. Our story, and the story of progressive Democrats across the state, begins in a very small way in this moment.
VOTE FOR CHANGE
On November 8, 2005, Virginians will go to the polls for a statewide vote on all of our House Delegates. In Virginia's 13th District, a candidate is emerging to challenge one of the state's most radical Republican incumbents, Bob Marshall. His name is Bruce Roemmelt. He's a retired firefighter with 30 years of service, an educator and a Vietnam veteran. Bruce traveled via bus for seven days across the state of Virginia for John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential elections. Over the past couple of months, Bruce has been traveling the district listening to the concerns of Prince William and Loudoun County residents, and what he hears isn't being taken care of in Richmond by Delegate Bob Marshall.
Over the 12 years Bob Marshall has "represented" the 13th district, there isn't much of a record that shows Marshall stands for his constituents. Marshall has refused to set up an office in his district to listen to his constituents, and has refused to even meet with some of his own constituents in his district because he simply doesn't like them.
The two sides don't see eye to eye and still haven't met. Marusak said 46 people are still waiting to meet with Marshall. Marusak sent Marshall a certified letter on Aug. 2, again asking for a meeting with him and other Prince William County area delegation members.
[Gay rights activists fail to open dialogue with Marshall - Manassass Journal Messenger - 10-12-04]
Session after session, Marshall's influence has waned, pushing him further and further to the second from the last row of delegate seats. The Virginia Family Values PAC calls Bob Marshall one of the most anti-family delegates in the state (More about this PAC later). Marshall's most recent legislative priorities clearly demonstrate a level of desperation, and it is time to take back the 13th district!
THE CHALLENGE:
Despite all this, Marshall has nearly $50,000 on hand ready to unload an even more desperate campaign to retain his seat. Marshall hasn't had to spend very much in past elections, and hasn't had to rely on very many people to help him out. His actions in Richmond reflect that, but that will now change.
We need your help! Those of us who call Virginia home need the financial support of everyone reading this to fund our message and our vision for a better Virginia, one that we can all be proud to call home. In order to show the county and state Democratic party that we are a viable campaign, we need to raise $30,000 by April 1, 2005.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Our March campaign toward viability starts with you! Forward this message everywhere. Post it on your blog. Help us fill each rung of Roemmelt's ladder with $10, $20, $50 or $100 contributions.
Place "Roemmelt's ladder" on your website by copying and pasting the following code onto your website or blog:
Talk to your friends and neighbors and ask them to give whatever they can, and most importantly, follow Bruce Roemmelt's campaign website launched today at www.electroemmelt.org. This site will grow to include lots of dynamic content thanks to the hard work of Jennifer Bishop, Christian Dawson, Brian pace and others.
With your help, we can take back Virginia from the radical forces that have taken principles of freedom and fairness for granted!
Disclosure: I am assisting the "Elect Roemmelt" campaign.
filed under: Elect Roemmelt
