Marriage Equality Rhode Island

MERI Blog

Updates, news, action alerts and events from Marriage Equality Rhode Island.

HEARING POSTPONED: Tues, March 2nd, Define marriage as one man and one woman.

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Monday, March 01, 2010 at 3:02 pm

HB 7288 was just POSTPONED AT SPONSOR’S REQUEST.  The bill WILL NOT be heard on March 2nd. 

HEARING POSTED:

Constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman.

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - HB 7288

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010

At the rise (4:30/5p)

House Lounge, 2nd floor

 

HB 7288 - To Approve and Publish and Submit to the Electors a Proposition of Amendments to the Constitution of the State (Marriage)

Sponsors: Brien, Azzinaro, Menard, Savage and Palumbo

Joint Resolution to submit to electors an amendment to the constitution to define marriage in Rhode Island as a lawful union between one man and one woman.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText10/HouseText10/H7288.pdf

To offer testimony on this anti-marriage bill, please arrive at the State House by 4p and go to the House Lounge on the 2nd floor.  You will need to sign-up to testify against (con) this legislation.

As always, we thank you for your support.

 

Please remember to RETURN to the State House at 4p on Wednesday, March 3rd, for the big Rally FOR Marriage Equality:

BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY!  Honoring and Protecting ALL Rhode Island Families.

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Join us at your STATE HOUSE for a MARRIAGE EQUALITY RALLY Wednesday, March 3rd, 4p

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 12:31 pm

BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY!

Honoring and Protecting ALL Rhode Island Families

What: Rally for Marriage Equality    
                                 
When: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Where: RI State House Rotunda, Providence

Time: 4pm

Will YOUR next Governor sign marriage equality into law?

Raise YOUR voice with the candidates for Governor to call the Rhode Island legislature to action.

Bring YOUR family, grab your signs and join state leaders in demanding full equality for ALL Rhode Island families.

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Love Across Borders: A community forum on queer immigrant rights.

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 10:55 pm

National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)

Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM) and

Southeast Asian Queers United for Empowerment and Leadership (seaQuel)

Presents

Love Across Borders:
A community forum on queer immigrant rights

Join us for a special panel discussion about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) immigrants’ rights.  Panelists will provide an update on developments from both the federal level in Washington, D.C. as well as on the local level in Rhode Island; how immigration reform may affect LGBTQ individuals, and how the audience can get involved.

 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Reception and Networking: 6:00 PM

Program: 7:00 – 9:00 PM

PrYSM

669 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907

Habrá Interprete en Español.  Interpretation will be provided in Spanish. 

Event is free and light refreshments provided.

Featuring:

Alison Foley, Immigration Attorney

Ben de Guzman, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)

Dimple Rana, Deported Diaspora

Kathy Kushnir, Marriage Equality Rhode Island

Michelle Deplante, Immigrants United

Raúl Iriarte, community member

Co-sponsored by:

Deported Diaspora, Immigrants United, Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI), Olneyville Neighborhood Association (ONA), Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP), RI Pride

For more information, contact Davide at or (401) 626-0623

 

seaQuel is a space for LGBTQ Southeast Asians and their allies to come together to build support and create social change.  Thanks to our funders for making all of our work possible: Liberty Hill Foundation, The Funding Exchange, Astraea Lesbian Foundation, Asian Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, and Equity Action. 

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Field Organizer WANTED

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 2:47 pm

The Field Organizer is pivotal in engaging community members in Marriage Equality Rhode Island’s campaign to win equal civil marriage rights for all Rhode Island couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.  The Field Organizer will ensure that volunteers are appropriately engaged in meaningful activities likely to enhance MERI’s grassroots campaign, aid in the local development of MERI action teams, manage canvasses, build and coordinate coalition partners and seek to engage key business and civic leaders in ways likely to influence support for equal civil marriage rights. 

Requirements:
• 3 - 5 years organizing experience on political or issue advocacy campaigns, including experience recruiting and organizing volunteers,
• Be an articulate, detail-oriented, diplomatic, organized, and computer-literate,
• Be able to work independently and manage a number of simultaneous projects,
• Be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, social messaging and the internet,
• Ability to work long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends,
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus,
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required,
• Commitment to our mission of securing marriage equality.

Marriage Equality Rhode Island offers a competitive salary and health benefits.
This position is full time.

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to . 
All encouraged to apply.  This position will remain open until filled.

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Operations and Development Associate WANTED

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 12:20 pm

The Operations and Development Associate will work with our Executive Director and be responsible for all administrative aspects of our work, including: data management for finances, reporting needs, IT, communications, scheduling MERI activities, and support for our leadership staff and board.  The Associate will play an instrumental role in the development plan, human relations management and be involved in every aspect of MERI operations.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a non-profit organization as an administrator.
• Excellent writing, speaking and accounting skills.
• Ability to travel and work flexible hours, especially evenings and weekends.
• Ability to become part of a hard-working team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, QuickBooks social messaging and the internet.
• Commitment to our mission of securing marriage equality.

Marriage Equality Rhode Island offers a competitive salary and health benefits. This position is full time

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to .  All encouraged to apply.  This position will remain open until filled.

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Lesbian Speed Dating, January 24th

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 6:12 pm

Are you looking to meet other lesbian or queer women in Rhode Island? Are you tired of the bar or club scene and the cheesy pick up lines?

If so, join us for Local 121’s first Lesbian Night featuring Lesbian Speed Dating on Jan. 24th.  Have fun, meet new people and bid on mystery dates. Come to find a connection while helping raise money for MERI to continue the fight for equality in Rhode Island.

To RSVP join Lesbians Out and About RI at http://www.meetup.com/Lesbians-Out-and-About-RI/ or email Ebony at .

Space is limited, so RSVP by January 20, 2010.

When:  Sunday, January 24, 2010

Time:  7pm, doors open at 6p

Where:  Local 121, 121 Washington Street, Providence

Cost: $12.00 per person

This is a 21+ event.

Stay for music and dancing from 10-12:45pm.

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MARRIAGE EQUALITY RHODE ISLAND APPLAUDS THE LEGISLATURE FOR AFFIRMING EQUAL RIGHTS

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 at 7:40 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
January 5, 2010

For more information, contact:
Kathy J. Kushnir, Executive Director
Marriage Equality RI, 401.941.2727

MARRIAGE EQUALITY RHODE ISLAND APPLAUDS THE LEGISLATURE FOR AFFIRMING EQUAL RIGHTS

Now is the time for the General Assembly to embrace full equality for same-sex couples by passing civil marriage legislation this year, unafraid of another gubernatorial veto.

“On behalf of the board and tens of thousands of statewide supporters of equal civil marriage rights, we are thrilled that the legislature overrode the governor’s mean-spirited veto of the funeral arrangements legislation and restored some measure of dignity and respect to LGBT Rhode Islanders,” said Kathy J. Kushnir, executive director of Marriage Equality Rhode Island.

“Now, at the worst time of their lives, people won’t have to fight simply to lay their loved ones to rest.  We urge the legislature to embrace full equality for all Rhode Islanders by passing marriage equality legislation this year, unafraid of another gubernatorial veto.  It’s what our citizens need and deserve,” Kushnir added.

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MERI Hiring Field Team

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 12:09 pm

Work for the most exciting civil rights campaign of our time!

MERI has provided strategic focus, guidance and political momentum to the marriage equality movement in Rhode Island. Yet, powerful and well-funded opponents of equality are working to ensure that loving, same-sex couples do not have the right to marry.

Now is the time to stand up for equal rights. We in Rhode Island have the opportunity to bring equal civil marriage rights to our state.

To do this, MERI is running a state-wide canvass to mobilize constituents in key legislative districts to convince legislators to support marriage equality for all Rhode Islanders.

MERI is currently hiring canvassers and team leaders.

Work with MERI to ensure that the conservative and far-right agenda does not become a reality. We are looking for passionate and articulate people for part-time positions. 

Campaign and canvass experience is not necessary, but preferred. Must have availability Thursdays thru Sundays. Make $11-$13/hr.

Canvassers will be responsible for making contact with constituents, gathering signatures and encouraging supporters to become more active in the campaign for equal marriage rights.
Team Leaders will assist the MERI Field Coordinator by managing the canvassing efforts in several legislative districts. Team Leaders will also lead teams of canvassers out in the field.

To apply, e-mail your resume and cover letter to Kim Bright at .

Everyone encouraged to apply. Spanish-speaking a plus.

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EAT PIE for MERI

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 5:09 pm

MERI Holidays to ALL:

You can support Marriage Equality Rhode Island during this holiday season ... just Eat Pie.

Cutie Pies, voted by Providence Monthly as 2009 Best Pie, has graciously offered to donate 25% of the proceeds of a signature pie created especially for MERI.  The Meri Mint Pie is a silken chocolate pie with a scrumptious crust and just a hint of peppermint schnapps.  Perfect for your holiday gatherings with a dollop of whipped cream, only mom makes it better.

Order now for pick up!!!  Call Cutie Pies at 401-331-2414 or .
 

  * MERI Mint Pie $20.00

Pick up is at Tina’s Jamaican Caribbean Restaurant - 223 Atwells Ave. Providence.

Due to expected volume they’re accepting prepay only (cash, check and credit card via PayPal).
The last day to order is December 22nd! There will be a $4 fee for any special dietary needs.

Cutie Pies are all handmade in full-sized pies and individual sized “CUTIE PIES” for pickup or delivery.

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NY Senate Defeats Marriage Bill

posted by Kathy Kushnir

on Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at 4:00 pm

The NY Senate just voted 24 (yes) to 38 (no) to defeat the marriage equality bill. 

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