KnowThyNeighbor.org

There's Something About Mary Connaughton...

Mary Connaughton, Republican Candidate for MA Auditor, Signed the Anti-Gay Marriage Petition, ONE Distinction Connaughton Is NOT Telling Voters That Sets Her Aside From Her Opponent, Democrat Suzanne Bump  

So here we have another one.  Just after the primary race where Michael Cahillane (Northwestern MA DA's race) was found on KnowThyNeighbor's List of Signers of the Anti-Gay Marriage Petition, it was brought to my attention that there is another "Bigot in the Woodpile," Mary Connaughton, the GOP's choice for State Auditor. 

Oh, I can just imagine hearing Ms. Connaughton in the press now, "You don't know me," "Oh those liberals go right to the word bigot when they can't think of anything else to say," "I only signed the petition because I feel that the voters should be able to vote on everything (including taking people's rights away)" "I sign every petition put in front of me," "I signed this petition (to end gay marriage) just so it could be voted on and who's to say that I wouldn't have voted against it at the polls?" "I feel that putting this up for a vote (subjecting the gays to a risk of losing marriage rights) would only 'strengthen' the law."  Any one of the above rhetorical excuses, that is, if Mary is going to try to weasel out of this.  

Or we may actually be surprised and hear Mary say what the sponsors of the petition said-- that gays are "the forces of evil!"  I find it funny that one of the people in Mary's video on her website says that Mary will be working like a "caped crusader against the forces of evil..." That's an "odd" coincidence don't you think?  Surprisingly, this is at least an honest reason for signing that anti-gay, anti-equality, anti-American petition.

KnowThyNeighbor has spoken to Mary Connaughton's staff in seven separate phone calls over a two week period asking for a clarification on Mary having signed this anti-gay petition.  Of course the Framingham Town Clerk has verified that there is only one Mary Connaughton living at 1 Tomkins Lane in Framingham and the name on the state database as having signed the petition is indeed the Mary Connaughton who is running for Auditor.  But Connaughton's staff has not provided KTN with a press statement.  

Instead, Mary Connaughton's press man, Mike Flynn, told us that her people "want this to be about what an auditor does NOT about any other issue."  I reminded Mike Flynn that State Auditor is a spring board to Treasurer, Lt. Governor, Senator or any of many other offices Connaughton has in mind.  It is up to us to tell HER what we feel this election is about (not the other way around).

I think that LGBT voters and most Massachusetts voters understand that an Auditor needs to know how to add and subtract, multiply and divide.  Mary Connaughton is doing a good job telling us all that she is the only certified CPA in the race for State Auditor.  Well now its time for us to give her a second badge of distinction.......... 

 Mary Connaughton is the only candidate for Auditor who may indeed be the only "certified bigot" in this race.

Tom Lang, Director

  

KnowThyNeighbor Plays Key Role in Massachusetts District Attorney Race

The Fact That Michael Cahillane, a Candidate for Northwestern Massachusetts District Attorney, Signed The Petition to Allow Voters to Decide Whether or Not to End Marriage Equality, Helped to End His Own Chances To Become District Attorney 

According to The Republican which posted political strategist, Anthony Cignoli's comprehensive post-primary analysis of the Northwestern Massachusetts DA's race, Michael Cahillane's signature on the anti-gay petition of 2005 "became a major issue in that neck of the woods," one that "people will look at down the road" and further referring to this exposure late in a campaign as "political science 101."  I am assuming that Cignoli is referring to the Democratic base and LGBT-based/progressive towns such as Hadley, Amherst, Northampton etc. as taking Michael Cahillane's and his wife's signatures on the anti-marriage equality petition and his subsequent reaction to KnowThyNeighbor's reporting on this as a serious consideration when voting.  Dave Sullivan, Cahillane's opponent won on a large margin.

As a point of clarification here, KnowThyNeighbor.org had no horse in this race.  We were not being pushed by the Dave Sullivan campaign as some commenters on the BayWindows article would like to suggest. KnowThyNeighbor was contacted by a Northwestern Massachusetts voter who was MassEquality's former area leader.  KTN went to MassEquality and the MGLPC and asked if either organization would play a role in educating Northwestern Massachusetts LGBT and allies about this race between Cahillane and Sullivan and provide our community with an endorsement.  Neither MEQ or MGLPC wanted to get involved.  It was important for KnowThyNeighbor to inform the press about the appearance of Cahillane's signature and to contact BayWindows which was key in getting the facts out in providing LGBT with well- balanced interviews of both candidates.

KnowThyNeighbor's work in providing an historic account of anti-gay petitions on a national level is clearly not only creating dialogue but is effecting key races as we have seen here in Massachusetts.  It is understandable that the foes of equality would want to silence us.

Director's Note:  I am very proud of LGBT people and others who believe in equality for all Americans who run through KnowThyNeighbor's lists, decide from whom they will purchase goods and services, have the necessary conversations with signers that they know.  And I am very proud of those LGBT who contact me when they see signers who are running for Local, State and Federal office.  These public candidates owe each and every one of us an explanation for their actions.

Tom Lang, Director

Primary Analysis: Anthony Cignoli on the results of the Northwestern District Attorney race

Massachusetts Gay Lobby Endorses Mitt Romney's Attorney for 2010 House Seat

The Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus (MGLPC), the Leading LGBT Lobby Organization and Key Architect for the Strategy Securing Marriage Equality, Has Endorsed Republican Daniel Winslow (9th Norfolk) And Former Mitt Romney's Chief Legal Counsel Over Democrat Challenger Stanley Nacewicz For the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Led by Co-Chair Arline Isaacson, the MGLPC voted unanimously in last week's annual meeting to endorse the Republican, Daniel Winslow over his Democratic challenger, Stan Nacewicz for the Massachusetts House Seat representing the 9th Norfolk District in Fall 2010. This District seat was formerly held by Richard Ross (R) who vacated it when he succesfully ran for Scott Brown's (R) Massachusetts Senate Seat after Brown's historic victory took him to Washington, DC.

But what makes this endorsement very unusual in LGBT politics is that Dan Winslow was Governor Mitt Romney's Chief Legal Counsel during Massachusetts fight for Marriage Equality (2002-2005).  Romney as we all remember worked with the bigots at the Massachusetts Family Institute as well as the Catholic Church, Black Ministerial Alliance and various and sundry other anti-gay organizations to redact the Goodridge Decision, stop same-sex marriages, and leave gays and lesbian couples, their families and children unprotected in the Commonwealth.

Arline Isaacson touted Republican Dan Winslow for his support of The Goodridge Decision, his zero tolerance of hate crimes and told the Caucus gathering, "Winslow is what we need," in terms of a Republican that understands LGBT issues.  Isaacson also gave a bit of insight into Winslow's history as the Romney attorney that changed our state's marriage license wording from "Bride and Groom" to "Party A and Party B" (more on that to follow). 

But what was interesting was that Isaacson provided the Caucus with Winslow's answers to her standard nine topic questionnaire on civil rights issues that all candidates are given.  Dan Winslow answered "Yes" to all subjects ranging from Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights to HIV Funding to Opposition of DOMA to Choice except one...the Transgender Civil Rights and Hate Crimes Bill. On this topic Winslow's report to Caucus voters was not a "yes" or a "no" but an "asterix."  Isaacson explained that Dan Winslow would like to know more about the Transgender Rights Bill and Transgender people in general before answering that part of Isaacson's questionnaire (a learning opportunity that many LGBT activists and Democratic State leges will not allow Charlie Baker (R) who is running against Deval Patrick (D) for Governor this fall). With this Daniel Winslow still received a unanimous endorsement of the room which included mostly Democrats, Stonewall Democrats, various Democratic delegates, an ACLU laywer and the Chair of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, Gunner Scott.

So what does KnowThyNeighbor think about this?  I interviewed Dan Winslow extensively after the Caucus endorsement meeting.  On the subject of Marriage Equality post Goodridge, Winslow says that Massachusetts needs legal updates.  Winslow told me that during the Romney days many within the administration insisted that MA marriage licenses continue to read "Bride and Groom" as, according to Winslow, some wanted same gender couples to "have to decide which would be the bride and which would be the groom" or in other words force same-sex couples to humiliate themselves.  Winslow was the one who pushed the "Party A/Party B" nomenclature as one of respect and dignity for same sex couples and a general equality for all parties entering into marriage.  Winslow wanted to make me understand that he has 3 important legal changes to state laws post Goodridge that to him are of the utmost urgency.  One, changes to current birth certificates which would recognize same sex couples.  Two, the inclusion of "civil unions" and "domestic partnerships" as impediments to MA marriages (currently, two people of the same gender could be married to one another in MA while being part of a dom partnership in Washington State to another person).  And Three, that MA courts must retain the jurisdiction of divorce when it comes to our same-sex marriages.

On the important topic of Transgender Rights and the current bill that had the support of the Democrat Controlled House and Senate yet failed to be voted on in this past session, Dan Winslow had some comments.  He believes that for him Transgender people's inclusion in the Hate Crimes portion as well as workplace and housing protection is a no brainer.  On the bill itself which seems to be confusing many, he welcomes dialogue and guarantees LGBT activists "constructive dialogue" on the subject. 

KnowThyNeighbor's take on Dan Winslow is positive, very positive, and a good choice for endorsement. Doors are open to us.  Maybe we have been forced for so long into sitting in the waiting area that we don't know when to stand up and walk into the room.

Tom Lang, Director of KnowThyNeighbor.org

Log Cabin Republican Lawsuit a Success--Don't Ask Don't Tell Unconstitutional

A very good day is when the courts of the United States of America recognize that LGBT Americans may partake in the BIRTHRIGHT that all other American citizens are afforded.  Thank you goes to the Log Cabin Republicans for insisting that this fight for justice be taken to the United States District Court and for taking leadership when so many naysayers among our so-called ranks of LGBT "leaders" would hold us back.  We honor ALL men and women in our armed services who risk their lives every day for the freedoms many of us take for granted.  This ruling respects and dignifies their service to our country. Tom Lang, Director of KnowThyNeighbor Statement on Log Cabin Republicans v. United States Ruling

(Washington, DC) - Log Cabin Republicans celebrates the decision by a United States District Court judge to overturn "Don't Ask, Don't" Tell as an unconstitutional violation of servicemembers' rights to free speech and due process.   "As an American, a veteran and an Army reserve officer, I am proud the court ruled that the arcane Don't Ask Don't Tell statute violates the Constitution," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper.  "Today, the ruling is not just a win for Log Cabin Republican servicemembers, but all American servicemembers."  "We are delighted with the court's ruling in favor of Log Cabin Republicans in this important case.  The court's opinion finds that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is unconstitutional, and the court will issue a permanent injunction preventing the government from further enforcement of this unconstitutional statute," said Dan Woods, lead attorney for the case and partner at White & Case. "This is a major victory in the fight for equality and means that military service will be available to all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation."  Log Cabin Republicans brought this suit in October 2004.  The case went to trial in July 2010 before the United States District Court of the Central District of California and was decided by Judge Virginia A. Phillips. Judge Phillips ruling can be found here.