You may have heard some rumblings that there's a ballot battle up in Maine.  Perhaps you wonder what its all about and what it means for Pittsburgh.

Maine affords marriage equality to all residents.  This means same sex couples can marry and enjoy the privileges and rights associated with that institution, both legally and personally.

There's a movement, Proposition 1, to repeal that law and strip citizens of their rights. 

There's a countermovement to protect and preserve marriage equality.  Maine Freedom to Marry.

The battle will be fierce and the first since Prop 8 successfully repealed marriage equality in California.

The rally was the latest development in a campaign that is expected to be highly emotional and very expensive. By mid-July, the coalition of opponents of gay marriage, the Stand for Maine Marriage political action committee, had raised more than $343,000, while those fighting the repeal had taken in $138,640 in contributions.

The Legislature legalized gay marriage in May, making Maine the fifth state in the country to do so. An April poll concluded that Maine voters were closely divided on gay marriage, with slightly more opposed.

Gay-marriage proponents at the rally said they had collected the pledge cards during the past year. Jesse Connolly, campaign manager, said volunteers will collect even more this summer.

"We are the local grassroots campaign," said Connolly.

Stand for Maine Marriage, which includes the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and other groups, says it has collected way more than the required 55,000 signatures to allow Maine voters to decide whether to reject the new law in a people's veto.

This is the epicenter of the battle for equality.  You can cheer them on from afar or you can make a modest donation of $10.00 to prevent the injustice of our brothers and sisters having their equality determined by public opinion. 

This battle sets the tone for our own battle here in Pennsylvania where we have HB 300 struggling in the PA House and two opposing marriage equality bills duking it out in the Senate.  The marriage battle, IMHO, is pointless and won't get any traction other than sorting out who among the Pennsylvania Senators has the courage to stand up for our equality.  The real battle is HB 300.  More on that later.

Our great victory from November, 2008 is losing ground.  Health care reform has been politicized to the point that it may actually hurt us in the long run.  We are the generation that won't retire with the guarantee of pensions and health insurance from our employers. 

Back to Maine.  Please take some time to educate yourself about this political battle. 

The Post-Gazette has a little blurb about Obama's flip-flop on DOMA, making the excellent point that toning down the support requires action on the promise to repeal. 

Never mind his conservative critics. Mr. Obama, who hasn't fulfilled his pledge to end "the don't ask, don't tell policy" on gays in the military, has a lot to do to reassure his liberal friends.

There's a Michael Vick dog chew toy and dog jersey.  Like it or not, he's part of Pennsylvania now and we have to suck it up.  But unless those proceeds are donated to the Humane Society, the Eagles are idiots. (If Big Ben can use his power to intimidate an alleged rape victim, I'm sure the Eagles can handle this.)  I bring it up because so many of you are dog lovers and sports fanatics, not to mention women (or friends of women) who've been victims of sexual assualt who also probably wouldn't be believed.  Yeah, keep that last point in mind.  Go Steelers.

August 29, 2009 is moving day for the GLCC.  I tried to line up a sneak peek of the new digs, but that didn't work out.  If you can help that day, it is a great way to "help the community," something I hear many people wishing to do.

GLCC MOVING DAY

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

August 29, 2009

Location: 5808 forward avenue then 210 grant street downtown Come join
in history/herstory!

We will be starting at 9 AM loading the truck at the current location
5808 Forward Avenue
(corner of Forward/ Murray in Squirrel Hill)

Pizza and Pop lunch at 210 grant street before unloading into our new
community center!

To RSVP or more information contact Kat 412-304-8181

P.S.  Tonight is OUTrageous Bingo at Rodef Shalom.

Another opportunity to get involved - Pittsburgh's Gay & Lesbian Professional Networking Group is meeting at the Firehouse Lounge on August 28, 2009.

GLENDA has moved their annual fundraising event, Dining 4 Diversity, to April because of the GLCC move (GLENDA rents space). 

The Lambda Ball is coming up in November.  You can get involved in the planning committee (a way to channel all those "they should ..." thoughts) and help make Pittsburgh's premiere social event a huge success.  To get involved, contace Anne at ambgpb1@comcast.net.

I understand that the County Executive is working to create the County Human Relations Committee.  I know of two nominees, Hugh McGough and La'Tasha Mayes, both of whom would represent us well.  No word on the timeframe.  No word from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Administration on the GLBT Advisory Committee.  (I'm so used to my inquiries being ignored by Joanna Doven that I'm starting to feel we are engaged in a dance.)  BTW, G-20 is no excuse for delay when you've had the nominations since January 15, 2009.  Pick some people and move on.  I'm fairly certain they won't wear masks to the meetings.  Or bring eggs.