Arizona Needs Your Help

Jim Burroway

October 3rd, 2008

Remember the state that became the first in the nation to defeat a so-called “marriage amendment” in 2006? Arizona desperately needs your help today in 2008:

Supporters of a measure that would change Arizona’s constitution to ban gay marriage have raised $6.9 million, 17 times more than opponents have raised, according to figures released Thursday.

Arizona became the first state in the nation to defeat the so-called marriage amendment in 2006. Today, our opponents are furious that they lost, and they are pouring millions of dollars into the state to upset the will of the voters. They threatened and coerced the legislature to put this on the ballot because they didn’t want to spend the money to mount a petition campaign. In other words, there has not been a single Arizona voter who signed on to have this put on the ballot. The legislatures actions amounted to a several hundred thousand dollar gift to put this on the ballot for free.

On the positive side, I firmly believe that Arizona is about to lose its distinction of being the only state to turn back one of these amendments — because this year California and Florida will have their own victories to add to the tally. And that will be reason for a huge celebration next month.

However, if things don’t change soon, then Arizona will lose something else: our historic 2006 victory. And if that happens, then the victories in Florida and California won’t be secure. If Arizona loses in 2008 what we won in 2006, our opponents will learn a very important lesson. If they don’t like the answer they got this year, all they have to do is come back again in a couple of years, spend millions of more dollars, and wear us down until they finally get what they want.

I am optimistic that we can defeat this proposed amendment in Arizona. Our internal polling shows that we don’t have to match our opponents dollar-for-dollar in funding. We don’t even have to come close. They’ve spend millions of dollars in the past two weeks, but the polling numbers haven’t budged by a single percentage point since we fielded our own poll last June. They’ve spent millions, the votes for their side haven’t budged one iota. Which means that so far, they’ve been wasting their millions.

Our internal polling also shows that there are huge numbers of “yes” voters who don’t believe that this proposed amendment is important. Our polling also shows that our message can not only sway large numbers of undecided voters, but “yes” voters as well. We know we can do this.

But we cannot actually change the vote until we get our message out to the voters. And television and radio ads cost a lot of money.

So we need your help. Please give as generously as you can. Because this has implications not just for Arizona, but for California and Florida as well. If we really want to secure our victories, it is imperative that we tell them that no really means no.

Otherwise, they’ll just come back again in a few more years in California and Florida.

Update: Just $102 to the No on Prop 102 campaign can place two radio ads on the air during drive time, and $375 to Arizona Together can get one television spot on the air. Please give generously today.

And please forward this to everyone you know.

Ben in Oakland

October 3rd, 2008

I sent $50 yesterday to your personal attention. Anyone else who reads this site regularly should be able to do the same.

Jeff in Surprise, AZ

October 3rd, 2008

It’s our own fault if this fails. We have become complacent as a community and that includes the No on 102 and Vote No on 102 organizations.

I have personnally contacted both groups and asked how I can help put out signs or host a fund-raiser. I have received no response from either.

I have gone so far as to email the folks at OutQ on Sirius radio. Other than Larry Flick no one has responded. It’s good to finally see someone talk about this issue.

As a side note, the “Yes” signs in the Northwest Valley of Phoenix Metro have all been spray painted over to “No”. While I understand the reason, that act of vandalism could just motivate the wrong people to vote.

Jim Burroway

October 3rd, 2008

Jeff,

I share your frustration. Please email me at the address located in the “CONTACT US” link in the left sidebar. I’ll see what I can do to address your concerns.

As for yard signs, we are working on that. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to afford even that modest effort until very recently.

Timothy Kincaid

October 3rd, 2008

This Californian just made a contribution to Arizona. Perhaps other Californians might want to do the same.

Yes, we need to give to our own fight, and it is a very very important fight. But it is also smart to think towards the future and buy a little insurance, don’t you think?

homer

October 3rd, 2008

Hi Jim, I sent my contribution today. I am amazed at the amount of money right wing people are willing to waste on this pointless amendment.

Jeff in Surprise, AZ

October 3rd, 2008

Coincidently, today the Arizona Republic states that the “Yes” folks have raised $6.9 million! The “No” folks have rasied $97,000! “Houston, we have a problem!”

Most of this money seems to be coming from LDS folks.

Where is Brad and Stephen?

Ben in Oakland

October 3rd, 2008

WHERE THE HELL IS THE REST OF THE HOLLYWOOD MONEY?

Jeanette

October 20th, 2008

Hi,
I wanted to quickly comment to let you know of a grassroots effort being launched by myself and a small group of friends to try and counter the thousands of “Yes On 102” signs that are covering the valley with our own messages and images of inclusion and equality. Conversation after conversation lately has shown me that our communtity feels hopeless, and we want to spread a little hope and build some momentum for the “No On 102” campaign in our own way – using blogs, flickr, facebook and myspace – the tools of our generation.

Please check out our blog http://noon102.blogsome.com – if you would be willing to post here and mention our efforts to help us spread the word I would be incredibly grateful.

Jeanette

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