As you recall, Metcalfe is running for Lt. Governor. In spite of his lofty looney ideals, he's also pragmatically running for his House seat, too.  Cause powerful is as powerful does.  Something like that.

Metcalfe told the Post-Gazette that he isn't about to be some namby-pamby Lt. Governor. He'll govern like a man, for God's sake (literally).  God help the gays, women, immigrants, veterans, environmentalists, poor people, and pretty much anyone who isn't a god-fearing, sermon-swallowing, blue eyed blond haired, baby popping patriot. Amen.

Mr. Metcalfe shrugged off the angry calls for his resignation that greeted his criticism. He has been similarly outspoken on issues such as gay marriage, charging that proponents of liberalized marriage laws were advancing "a homosexual agenda."

Mr. Metcalfe said he is optimistic that he will emerge at the front of the nine-candidate GOP field that includes Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley, who was endorsed last month by the Republican State Committee.

"I think that we have a very strong base of supporters across the state from our work on areas like the Second Amendment, pro-life, marriage, illegal alien issues," he said. "I think we're going to have a very good chance of upsetting the establishment and its hand-picked candidate."

I don't often pull over in the middle of the work day to make a phone call, but today was an exception.  When I received an email about a potential vote on the so-called "Marriage Protection" amendment, I dialed fellow blogger Maria Lupinacci of 2 Political Junkies and asked her to help me organize a blog swarm on the topic.  Within minutes, she agreed and a few hours later, had a logo in my inbox.  See earlier post for that! 

We have a chance to "make some history" folks, according to the ACLU.  Twice this amendment has come up in the Senate and both times it was defeated by procedural maneuvers.  It has never been simply voted down. 

This year, we have a chance to get that vote down once and for all so the Senate can focus on the business of governing this Commonwealth instead of monitoring my family like we are terrorists.  Remember that 100+ day delay with last year's budget?  Should we really waste a precious moment of the months leading up to budget negotiations on an issue that has already been legislatively addressed by the Pennsylvania DOMA? 

Here's what you can do.

This is a list of the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee.  Maybe you recognize a name or two?

Who to call.  Call the Harrisburg office (use your cell phone). Email messages are not going to work on this one. 

Mary Jo White  (717) 787-9684 Butler (part), Clarion, Erie (part), Forest, Venango and Warren (part) Counties

** Special note that Senator White has spoken against this amendment in the past.  Please thank her for that and ask her to vote no. This is a vote that can make an impact **

Jane Earll  (717) 787-8927  Erie (part) County

Jane Orie  (717) 787-6538  Allegheny (part) and Butler (part) Counties 

Our friends who always appreciate a thank you

Jay Costa (717) 787-7683 Allegheny County

Wayne Fontana (717) 787-5300  Allegheny County

This is quite important.  Many of the folks in this committee use Facebook, Twitter and so forth.  I have a list here. Use social media to spread the word to your friends, family and contacts. Update your FB status.

We have an unprecedented 5 day (including the weekend) window to make contact with these Senators.  I know you know gay folks and allies up in Jane Orie's district.  Don't write her off.  Let her know you are paying attention.  Never underestimate yourself. 

Back in 2008, 14 Pittsburgh blogs participated in our first Blog for Equality event to speak out against the attempt by the Pennsylvania Senate to amend our constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, the so-called "Marriage Protection" Amendment.  The "blog swarm" as it is sometimes described was successful, albeit not singlehandedly responsible for the failure of that legislation to make it out of committee. 

Still, you might like to revist what the 14 bloggers had to say in 2008.

Fast forward two years.  The Senate is once again discussing this issue and we anticipate a vote in the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 16, 2010.  More details from the ACLU of PA:

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 707 next Tuesday, March 16, at 11:30am.  As you know, SB 707 is the latest incarnation of a state constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage.

 

Like many controversial, close votes, this could go either way.

 

It's not hyperbole to say that we have a chance to make history.  We have never won an up-or-down vote on the marriage amendment.  We've beaten this in the past by winning procedural maneuvers.  But now we have that chance.  Let's make the most of it.

So I am announcing Blog for Equality Pittsburgh 2010.  I ask my comrade bloggers throughout the region (and the Commonwealth) to dedicate one post on Monday, March 15, 2010 to the topic of this amendment. 

We have an official Blog for Equality Pittsburgh 2010 button for you to add to your post (h/t 2pj Maria)

html is:

<p><a href="http://www.pghlesbian.com/blog/_archives/2010/3/11/4477944.html"><img src=" http://www.pghlesbian.com/B4E2010.jpg" /></a><p>

If you'll send me a link, I'll update this page with a permanent archive of bloggers speaking out against embedding discrimination into our Constitution.  The swarm is open to any and all bloggers so please spread the word.  You don't have to be gay to disapprove of discrimination and you certainly don't have to have a politial blog to participate in a day of action. We have an unprecedented opportunity to vote NO on discrimination and allow the State Senate to move forward on the critical issues all of our families face.

More later on how you can help make sure this amendment is not voted out of committee. 

What a bizarre twist of events.

Virginia does not include sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression as protected classes in the state's anti-discrimination laws.  Some Universities, Colleges and private employers in Virginia do include some or all of these classes.

Recently, the Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) issued a legal opinion aka warning to the public academic community (recipients of state funding) that they could not unilaterally broaden the protected classes, something many students have worked tirelessly to accomplish.  Response from the student community and groups like the Young Democrats was swift.

Response from nearby Maryland was swift, too. Maryland State Senator Richard S. Madaleno (D-Montgomery) issued this statement with regard to an employer deciding between  Maryland and Virginia (all about the jobs!)

Madaleno, who is gay, wrote that new Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) are "turning back the clock" on gay rights, as Maryland's attorney general has announced the state will recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Virginia voters in 2006 amended the state constitution to prohibit gay marriage.

Virginia Governor McDonnell blinked and decided to the "right" thing by issuing a useless directive instructing Virginians not to discriminate against LGBT persons.  It has no enforcement-ability. It is a move designed to pander to the business community ("Please don't go to the state that has actual tolerance!") without protecting Virginia residents. 

Virginia's legislature, on the other hand, tried to actually make discrimination against gays illegal.

Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria) also rose to address the House, recalling his parents and grandparents' stories of anti-Semitic discrimination by employers. Englin said the state must act to protect Virginia's reputation as a desirable place to do business because some companies might see the state as intolerant.

"Let there be no mistake - Ken Cuccinelli wants to hang a sign in front of the public colleges and universities of this Commonwealth that reads 'Gays need not apply,'" Englin said.

But Del. Robert Marshall, (R-Prince William) argued that gay people needed no "special protections" and said that the term "sexual orientation" was so broad that it would protect behaviors that could not be discussed in public.

Sound familiar?  Well, it should, dear reader.  Because Pennsylvania is not the far removed from this scenario. 

Lack of protections in Pennsylvania?  Yes, it is legal to refuse housing, fire people and kick them out of restaurants because we are gay or trans. A friend reported that this recently happened to her uncle in Beaver County.  And there's not a damn thing he can do about it.  CHECK

Universities with expanded protections?  Yes, this has been an issue of contention but some public (and many private) Universities and Colleges include these classes in their anti-discrimination protections.  CHECK

Wingnut Attorney General?  CHECK

State threats against academic institutions?  Yes, in 1999 the Commonwealth passed a law that exempted universities from providing domestic partner benefits in spite of municipal non-discrimination ordinances.  Pitt eventually did the right thing, but the precedent for the State Government to meddle has been established.  CHECK

Pending legislation? Legislation (HB 300) sits in the House awaiting movement.  It will amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to include gender identity, sexual orientation and gender presentation. Meanwhile, the Senate has for the third time introduced legislation to amend the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.  CHECK

Differences?  Our wingnut AG is running for Governor. The three main contenders for the Democratic endorsement all state support for HB 300.  Wagner has an established, albeit uneven, voting record on LGBT issues but not support full LGBT equality.  Onorato has no voting record, has taken no action to offer domestic partner benefits to his own employees and does not support full LGBT equality.  By "full LGBT equality" I mean marriage.

Joe Hoeffel has an established voting record. Employees in his County have domestic partner benefits.  He supports full and total equality for the LGBT community.

Based on their records, not their promises, who do you think is most likely to issue a "directive" rather than lead government to legalize equality? 

To being the Virginia analogy full circle, who among these three men do you think will create a culture in Pennsylvania that welcomes businesses who value tolerance and equality because they need to attract the best and the brightest?  Maryland is not that far away from Pennsylvania.  Can we really risk losing employers and well-paying jobs by electing a Governor who will not stand FIRM against attempts to take us backwards? 

We don't need marriage equality tomorrow to continue being economically viable.  We do need an Executive Branch that is proactive in creating a more tolerant state culture for everyone. 

Virginia is only for certain lovers.  Let's make Pennsylvania for everyone.  Joe Hoeffel for Governor. Donate today.  Your $10 can make a difference.

sdf

This caught my eye ...

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates invites emerging LGBT business leaders to apply for its 2010 Executive Forum, set for April 19-21 in New York City