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Marc Solomon of MassEquality Puts Finger in the Dyke

MassEquality Concedes To Spending Less Money By Searching For Lawyers Willing To Work For Free To Punish The Person or Persons Who Leaked That MassEquality Was Spending Too Much Money

With irony befitting the Classical Greek Theatre, BayWindows has reported that MassEquality's Campaign Director, Marc Solomon has instructed Board Chair David Wilson to seek outside counsel to determine whether an investigation into the recent leak to the Boston Globe of confidential information related to the organization's finances is warranted. 

According to BayWindows David Wilson and Marc Solomon are currently in talks with three law firms and Wilson expressed hope that the legal work could be done on a pro-bono or at a non-profit rate.  With a monthly burn rate of over $ 100,000, why does MassEquality not want to pay the lawyer that would be "investigating the leak?"  Because Wilson says, "We (MassEquality) need to be fiscally responsible."

Marc Solomon refused to provide BayWindows with an itemization of MassEquality's monthly expenses though he walked Laura Kiritsy through a list of "projects" being undertaken which he believes justifies MassEquality's controversial $ 100,000 plus a  month burn rate.  Most importantly, is the deployment of Amy Mello, Scott Gortikov and David Kent (from what I was told by an MEQ insider "on a voluntary basis") to assist Marriage Equality Rhode Island's push for marriage equality.  I am glad that BayWindows finally reported on this little secret which Know Thy Neighbor had been hearing about in the rumor mill for months.  Gortikov also told BayWindows that he was able to provide funding for Rhode Island through Freedom to Marry National.  So, am I reading this correctly that Rhode Island isn't part of the $ 100,000 a month burn rate?

Solomon told BayWindows that the other projects which should justify the half million dollar of spending since June include helping Rep. Angelo Puppolo remove an anti-Rep Angelo Puppolo billboard, the continued work on a "best practices manual," the "Jumping the Broom" initiative, "meetings in African-American churches," and planning "a big gala appreciation event" scheduled for Dec. 5th.  Solomon went on to say, "I think we've spent our money wisely."

But what isn't wise is this attempt at intimidation by MassEquality by allegedly planting a story in BayWindows that Solomon and Wilson are seeking legal assistance in punishing those who "leaked" information regarding the $ 100,000 a month burn rate of LGBT money.  I have a tough time understanding the difference between a "leak" and a "plant."  Often "plants" are calculated and manipulative, while "leaks" are a cry for help for positive change.  What ever way this information reached the LGBT community regarding a monthly burn rate of $ 100,000 of our money, I do think that we are due honest answers without the fear of reprisal.

But it seems that for now Marc Solomon will be putting his finger in that dyke, silencing all those who may or may not have "leaked" information as to where over 1/2 a million dollars of LGBT money went since June 14th.  How dare any of you question Mr. Solomon.

Tom Lang, Director

Bigot Wins Mayoral Race in Quincy -- Where was MassEquality?

Thomas P. Koch, Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Petition Signer, Wins Mayoral Race in Quincy by 2000 Votes

What was called the "most expensive mayoral race in Quincy history" ended Tuesday with Thomas Koch defeating incumbent mayor, William Phelan.  Phelan was known for organizing a Celebration of Diversity Festival while the Newly Elected Mayor Koch is best known for his signing of the VoteOnMarriage petition against marriage equality here in Massachusetts.

How did this bigot get elected in a town which was so strongly in support of marriage equality?  How could this happen?  My God, I would not order a pizza from or buy a car from a signer of the anti-gay petition, so I cannot even imagine what it must be like to live in a town which has a mayor who unashamedly signed onto that mean-spirited document.

I guess we all let our guard down on this one.  Didn't we, MassEquality??  I guess the standard answer would be once again that you "had your hands tied" by your board and contributors because your "mission" was not yet determined.  But it seems to me that opposing a mayoral candidate who is a signer against Equal Rights for LGBT people (ie marriage equality) as well as a spokesperson for the idea that his own signing was "just an opinion" would be well within your job description.

To the Quincy For Marriage Equality Organization's credit (as an MEQ affiliate), it did strongly oppose Koch's candidacy, but obviously did not have the strength to defeat Koch while our "MotherShip MassEquality" was planning its new purpose. 

The LGBT people in Quincy and at Quincy for Marriage should be able to celebrate all their hardwork (which I know this reads as sarcasm on my part--but it isn't, they did amazing work) and they should be able to attend MassEquality's ($ 5000, $ 2500, $ 1000 etc) Victory Gala on December 5th without having to worry about anti-LGBT issues, but they cannot...

Instead, they need to watch the newly elected, yet consistently bigoted Mayor Thomas P. Koch like a hawk...making sure that every move he makes, every press conference he gives, every staffer he hires and every policy he supports is not prejudiced by his already clear and present bias.

Tom Lang, Director Know Thy Neighbor