Lady Gaga Will Rally Against McCain DADT Filibuster in Maine Tomorrow

Lady Gaga will rally in Portland Maine tomorrow against John McCain's filibuster of the Defense Authorization. It is a push to force Maine's relatively moderate Republican Senators - Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins - to join Democrats and end the Senate filibuster, bringing the bill (which contains a provision to end Don't Ask Don't Tell) to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), the 60 votes to end the filibuster are NOT in place - so support fromSnowe and Collins  is crucial.  Via AmericaBlog

The votes to break McCain’s filibuster are not there. We need Sens. Snowe and Collins on board; they’re key to us breaking the filibuster. With the vote less than 48 hours away, we need everyone supporting repeal to call the Senate. We’re bringing gay and straight service members to Portland to help make the case. And we’re proud to have the support of Lady Gaga to bring grassroots attention to repeal at a critical hour. Like Lady Gaga, all New England senators, indeed all 100 senators, Democrats and Republicans, need to engage in a real debate on this issue, and not just posture and spin this week over procedure and Senate rules.

... SLDN member (and veteran) Aubrey Sarvis

The rally, called “For the 14,000”: A Rally for the 14,000+ Discharged" is tomorrow at 4:00 PM Eastern in Deering Oaks Park (near the University of Southern Maine). For those on Twitter, the hashtag is #4the14k.

Also, if you haven't called your Senators yet, tomorrow (Monday) is the day to do it.

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Haters In Maine

From Joe.My.God:

Yes On 1 supporters explode in joy and thank Jeebus for protecting them from the blood-thirsty homosexuals. They should also thank NOM for its illegal refusal to comply with Maine's financial disclosure laws. And they should thank Stand For Marriage for consistently lying about "teaching gay marriage." And they should thank the Archbishop of Maine for passing the collection plate during Ma$$. Yes, thank the bloody Jeebus for enabling lying, law breaking, deception, and hatred. Praise His Name!

Regarding Maine...

What a sucky outcome in Maine yesterday - so disappointing. I imagine the despicable Catholic Church and the lying asstards from NOM will now take their travelling hate show to other states with marriage equality. Beware Iowa, Vermont, etc...

Can someone explain to me again how it's OK in this country for gay people's rights to be taken away by popular vote?!?

Here is a quote from our very own Maine Dust Bunny - Charlie - who was first in line at his polling place yesterday:

I feel so badly for all the students out there who come from non traditional families, and for all those who live unhappily in traditional families but would rather follow their own hearts, and for all those whose otherwise in-law families ban them from hospital visitations, funerals, and even the apartments they shared with loved ones. And I feel badly for those who cannot break from tradition to do what is right.

Amen.

Vote On Tuesday!!!

Tuesday is Election Day - with some very important Equality & Fairness referendums on various ballots. Most of these races are extremely tight - so it is very important you get out and vote. Some reminders:

If you live in Maine - VOTE NO ON 1 - Protect Maine Equality. For more information, go HERE.

If you live in Washington state, VOTE YES ON REFERENDUM 71 - Preserve the Domestic Partnership Law. More information HERE.

If you live in Kalamazoo, Michigan - VOTE YES ON ORDINANCE 1856 - YES for Fairness & Equality. More info HERE.

There are a lot of other important races out there, and during an off-year election it's all about turnout. So don't forget to vote.