Ask Attorney General Candidates to Fight DOMA

Defend The Law has launched a petition campaign asking all of the 2010 candidates for New York Attorney General if they will pledge to sue the federal government to overturn DOMA, as is being done by Massachusetts AG Martha Coakley.

Tell the candidates for NY Attorney General that overturning DOMA should be a priority.

State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D): (212) 242-5301, friends@schneiderman.org

State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D): (914) 332-4940, campaign@richardbrodsky.com

Eric Dinallo (D): (212) 944-9640, info@ericdinallo.com

Sean Coffey (D): (212) 557-6100, seancoffey@coffey2010.com

Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan (R): (718) 876-6300, info@dandonovan.org

H/T to Joe My God.

AG Richard Blumenthal Urged To Defend State Law: Marriage Equality

Massachusetts became the 1st state to sue the U.S. government on July 8, 2009 over the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies married same-sex couples all 1,138 federal marriage benefits. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley contends in the lawsuit that DOMA “constitutes an overreaching and discriminatory federal law.” You can view the full complaint here.

Marriage Equality has also been the law of the land in Connecticut since November 12, 2008. The Attorney General of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, states prominently on his website, “As the public’s lawyer, I am here to defend state laws.” Since marriage equality is indeed the law in Connecticut, we strongly urge Attorney General Blumenthal to follow Massachusetts’ lead and stand up for the citizens and laws of his state by filing a lawsuit against the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

In addition to Attorney General Richard Blumenthal having a duty to defend state law, defending marriage equality just so happens to be the politically expedient thing to do as well. The majority of Connecticut citizens support marriage equality and those numbers continue to grow.

Actions to take during August 10th-14th:

Call: (860)-808-5318 & Fax: (860)-808-5387

Email: attorney.general@po.state.ct.us

The Attorney General’s office is located at 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Feel free to stop by in person and relay your message urging Blumenthal to file a suit against DOMA.

http://defendthelaw.org/

Urge Maryland Attorney General and Governor to Review Marriage Laws

Activists are arguing that marriage equality can come to Maryland within strides. First, the state must follow Washington D.C. and New York in recognizing out of state marriages.

Contact AG Douglas F. Gansler and urge him to evaluate Maryland law. Even if doesn't go anywhere, it will stir up the conversation of marriage equality in the "Old Line State."

Main telephone number
(410) 576-6300 or 1 (888) 743-0023 toll-free in Maryland
TDD: (410) 576-6372
Opinions, Advice and Legislation: (410) 576-6327

Mailing address
Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Email: oag@oag.state.md.us

If you're feeling very active, contact the governor, too, and urge him for an evaluation of the law.

Crossposted from Unite The Fight.

Ask your Senators to Support Eric Holder, President-Elect Obama's Choice for Attorney General

Senate Republicans are threatening the confirmation of President-elect Obama's choice for Attorney General, Eric Holder. Take action today to ensure that Eric Holder is swiftly confirmed as our nation's next Attorney General. As a community that is particularly vulnerable to bias-motivated violence, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community needs an Attorney General who is committed to combating this national problem. Eric Holder will be that Attorney General.

Holder knows that access to justice is a civil right and has demonstrated his commitment to protecting communities from hate violence and ensuring the fair and equal application of our laws. He supports rigorous enforcement of existing laws, data collection and research about hate violence, and legislation that would give the federal government both the authority to prosecute these heinous crimes and the power to assist local governments that are pursuing justice.

Don't let this nomination be derailed. Send a message to your Senators today asking them to support the nomination of Eric Holder as the next Attorney General.

Use HRC's E-Action Contact Form to Connect with Your Senators

Next Illinois Senator, Attorney General Roland Burris?

Attorney General Roland Burris will be appointed to the U.S. senate by governor Blagojevich of Illinois. The governor is currently in a scandal over allegations that he was selling Barack Obama's former senate seat to the highest bidder. Whether the senate appointment will stick is anyone's guess at this time.

It seems we have a friend in Roland Burris though. With minimal information out there, all accounts seem to be LGBT friendly.

• He lobbied extensively to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the hate crimes law in the state.

• He pushed to include same-sex couples in domestic violence legislation.

• Burris has been reported to be a "trailblazer" by hiring openly LGBT people for his staff.

Much more will come out about Roland Burris and his positions on LGBT issues, as the media, political analysts, and bloggers will dissect his record. Whether he becomes senator of Illinois or not, it appears likely that we have an ally in this man.