[mobglob-discuss] FW: Two important votes for queers

[Graeme Bacque]

-----Original Message-----
From: Anna Willats [mailto:awillats at sympatico.ca]
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 3:14 PM
To: Anna Willats
Subject: Two important votes for queers


Hi folks:

The Canadian Alliance is putting the same-sex marriage question to a vote
on Tuesday.

And... Bill 250 and the efforts to have LGBT people protected from hate
speech.
This vote is on Wednesday the 17th.

Send emails to your MP's - please pass it on to people living in Liberal
ridings
particularly.

Thanks
Anna
---------------------------
  Subject: Take action on same-sex marriage: www.EQUAL-MARRIAGE.ca

                                    Take action via
                                    http://www.equal-marriage.ca

Canada's proposed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage is in jeopardy.
   While this is
a matter of equality and human rights, the religious right is using it to
mobilize across
the country against lesbian and gay rights.  Currently, letters to Members
of Parliament
against same-sex marriage far outnumber those supporting it.  This Tuesday,
  September 16,
the Alliance Party will move a motion in the House of Commons against
same-sex
marriage.
It will be a "free vote", so you and your friends can make a difference.

                                       Learn about the issue on
                                       http://www.equal-marriage.ca

To meet the challenge of the vocal opposition, we have formed Canadians for
Equal
Marriage, a national advocacy campaign to ensure passage of the federal
legislation.
Born out of the work of EGALE Canada, Canadians for Equal Marriage is a
multi-partisan,
wide ranging cross-section of Canadian society from coast-to-coast.  Visit
us at
www.equal-marriage.ca.

                                       Send all 301 MPs an e-mail:
                                       http://www.equal-marriage.ca

For this urgent effort, we have quickly developed an ACTION WEBSITE at www.
equal-
marriage.ca. The site includes four action steps you can take to support
equal
marriage:
You can e-mail your MP (even if you don't yet know who that is), and all 301
MPs. You can
endorse our statement on equal marriage. You can donate to the campaign.
And,
  you can
volunteer with Canadians for Equal Marriage, or start a chapter in your
town.

                                       See how your MP is voting:
                                       http://www.equal-marriage.ca

We intend to reframe the issue in the media and to MPs  into what it really
is: a matter
of living up to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and building an
open,
  tolerant
and caring Canada.

                                       Download tools for action:
                                       http://www.equal-marriage.ca

Don't delay!  Visit our website and make a difference TODAY.  Don't allow
Parliament to
set back the rights of Canadian lesbians and gays.

                                       Forward this e-mail
                                       to someone who cares.

Thanks so much,
Mary-Woo Sims, co-chair
Canadians for Equal Marriage
Mary-Woo at equal-marriage

*******************************************

From: "Robinson, Svend - M.P." <Robinson.S at parl.gc.ca>
Date: Wed Sep 10, 2003  02:29:55  PM America/Montreal
To:
Subject: C-250 Call to Action

OTTAWA

September 10th, 2003

Dear friend,

I am writing to you because I know that you support my Private Member's Bill
C-250 to include "sexual orientation" in the hate propaganda sections of the
Criminal Code of Canada.  Next week, on Wednesday September 17th at 3:00 pm,
the final vote will take place on this bill.  Because of all of the
controversy around same-sex marriages, which will be the subject of a debate
and vote in the House the day before, it is critically important that you
contact MP's and re-affirm your support for this long overdue bill.  Our
opponents are targeting Liberal and Conservative MP's on this issue, and
they must hear from supporters NOW.  Please take a few minutes to e-mail
and/or telephone the office of your MP and others and urge them to support
Bill C-250.

To include racial, religious and ethnic minorities deliberately excluding
gays and lesbians sends out a message that the lives of gay and lesbian
people are less valuable.  This when last year in Vancouver, 62% of the
violent hate crimes were targeted at gay and lesbian people.  The Canadian
Association of Chiefs of Police just last month passed a motion in support
of this bill.  Finally, you might note that the bill fully protects
religious freedom, and that the House unanimously supported a Liberal
amendment to strengthen this protection by including a specific reference
to
those who in good faith quote from religious texts.

Thank you for your support on this important issue.  This next week will be
absolutely critical for the passage of this bill.  The religious right is
actively organizing and making their voices heard.  We must do no less.

For information on how to contact your MP you can go to:
http://www.parl.gc.ca

Thank you again for your support,

Sincerely yours,

Svend Robinson, MP
Burnaby-Douglas.
OTTAWA