Promoting+Gay+Marriage+Equality

__ Promoting Gay Marriage Equality __ Paige Johnson, Maggie King, Victoria Higgins, & Jess Brown Period 3 Day 1

If people find happiness in whomever they choose to marry, shouldn’t everyone get that opportunity? We have chose to address the issue of Gay Marriage rights and promoting it so that hopefully someday soon everyone can have the choice to marry who ever they want. This is an issue because it cuts in to civil rights and leaves the many people in the homosexual community unhappy.
 * 1)** **Introduction to the problem**
 * a) The background and definition to the exact problem and why you chose to address this problem**

a) A step-by-step narrative of the way that your group addressed the problem b) Include discussion about which steps were successes and what you may do differently next time Different ways of dealing with this problem include keeping marriage laws the same, allowing basic rights for gays & making it a hassle to receive a marriage license or creating full marriage equality for everyone no matter the sexual orientation. Our goal was to create full marriage equality for straights, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals. First we researched the existing laws and other states in our nation that promote marriage equality. After finding our research we brainstormed ideas for plans of action. We decided that writing to the state officials and education of the public would be a good method of dealing with and potentially getting what we want. Contacting the state governor through letters could help him while deciding on the gay marriage bill. Doing a lot of research helped us know more about our topic and figure out different methods of solving the problem.
 * 2) ****Strategies employed**

b) Suggestions for what could be done next**
 * 3) ****Outcomes of the project**
 * a) A discussion of your achievements and limitations

i) what they learned about democracy from participating on this project ii) what they learned about themselves from working on this project iii) what they learned about cooperating with others from working on this project** **Paige Johnson:** This project really had to make you aware of an issue you either cared deeply about or an issue that you just wanted to know more about and it created a very hand on view of things. It helped learn about democracy in that you learn how your local or state government deals about certain issues or their general take on things. I very much enjoyed doing this project and I found out more things about myself that I may not have necessarily noticed before-hand. I have come to realize that I may be better of a speaker and I have more to say then I thought and I can put my point together so it comes out the way I want it to. When working with my group on this project I learned their take on things and they educated me to new things I may not have known before on my topic. Also other groups contributed to the learning on both my project and different topics, because though they may have went hard on my group and I, they all had good points and forced me to elaborate more on certain aspects of my proposal. Overall this project taught the class and myself a lot on local, state, national, and global issues today.
 * 4) ****Reflections on the Project**
 * a) Each member of the group must submit a reflection which includes their thoughts about:
 * Victoria Higgins:** From participating in this project I've learned that democracy can be viewed as standing up for issue's you believe should be changed. While working on this project I've learned that I and anyone can make a difference in what we chose to believe in. Legalizing gay marriage can make a difference for people in many communities in Rhode Island . I've learned that working with others on this project is good. It's good because you can share your idea's with people that share the same interests as you.

(1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Leaflets, Flyers, Posters, (2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Newsletters (3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Reports (4)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Public Hearings, Candidates nights** <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">We have called together a public hearing to be on February 3rd, 2010 at the North Kingstown free public library. We have chosen this date in time because we understand it is the holidays and it may be harder to get a large group of people together. At this public hearing we would love to see people from all over and not just from the North Kingstown/Jamestown community. This meeting is a request for gay marriage rights to be passed and everyone for or against it will be able to express their opinions accordingly. Since the library may not have the capacity to hold the amount of people who want to attend this event, we will have one at 10:30am and one at 2:30pm so that way if you couldn’t fit, or come before, you can maybe to the second one. We hope to see you there and let your voice be heard and maybe you can make that change in a big step to equality: the American dream. (6)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Internet, blogs, Pod casts** We have selected a blog from xanga.com about gay marriage from a certain girl named Victoria Higgins in which talked about her views on gay marriage and rights (she is for gay rights/marriage). The following text is from the blog: "Equality: The American Dream." Now tell me, if we want equality so bad why can't we do something as simple as letting people pursue happiness in who they love, because after all, love has no gender. You love who you love and you cannot help that. It's not something that should have to be restricted for any reason no matter if its same sex, or different sex. There are some out there who are all for equal marriage rights but support the ban on gay marriage and to me that is contradictory. I don't believe its hurting anyone to get married, and although it may go against "traditional marriage", traditions change all the time and i believe it's time for a new tradition. People of the same sex sleep together, and live together anyway so why not just take a step further and just let them be together "until death do they part." (1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Boycotting/Buycotting (2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Picketing (3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Demonstrations and Protests (4)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Strikes (5)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Nonviolent Civil Disobedience iii)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Citizen Lobbying__ (1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Writing a bill & finding a sponsor** **2000 -- H 7589**
 * 5)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> ****Appendix: Ways of Acting**
 * a)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Each portfolio must include a minimum of one artifact from each of the following sub sections. You should include all artifacts that were actually created and you may also add ones which you did not use but could have used.**
 * i)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Public Education__
 * (5)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Film or video screenings
 * ii)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Direct Action__

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LC00503

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**S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D**
 * IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY**
 * JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2000**

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 15-1 of the General Laws entitled "Persons Eligible to Marry" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: __Persons of the same sex shall be eligible to marry in the same manner and with the same requirements, as applicable, as persons of different sex.__ __Same sex marriages performed in another state or territory of the United States, which meet all the requirements for validity and legality in that state or territory, shall be recognized as valid and legal in this state.__ SECTION 2. Chapter 15-2 of the General Laws entitled "Marriage Licenses" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: SECTION 3. Chapter 15-3 of the General Laws entitled "Solemnization of Marriages" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.
 * A N A C T**
 * RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS**
 * __Introduced By__****:** Representatives Pisaturo, Cicilline, Carpenter, Ajello and Williams
 * __Date Introduced__****:** February 3, 2000
 * __Referred To__****:** Committee on Judiciary
 * __15-1-7. Same Sex Marriages -- Eligibility. --__** __No section or provision of this chapter or any other general law, charter provision or ordinance of any city or town shall be construed to prohibit same sex marriages.__
 * __15-2-1.1 Same Sex Marriages -- License required -- Proof of Divorce. --__** __Persons of the same sex intending to be joined together in marriage in this state must first obtain a license from the clerk of the city or town in which the proposed marriage is to be performed. Before any license shall be issued to any person who, having been previously married, has been divorced, the person shall present to the city or town clerk an authenticated copy of the decree granting divorce.__
 * __15-3-5.1. Officials empowered, but not required to join persons of the same sex in marriage. --__** __Notwithstanding the provisions of section 15-3-5 of the general laws, ordained clergy and elders in good standing shall not be required to join persons of the same sex in marriage, although they are empowered to do so.__

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LC00503

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BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF** This act would take effect upon passage.
 * EXPLANATION
 * AN ACT**
 * RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS**
 * This act would authorize same sex marriages.
 * This act would authorize same sex marriages.

(2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Testifying at committee hearings** In promotion of the bill, we will have a week of hearings to see what we can do about legalizing marriage rights for the same sex. Some supporters of the bill say that same sex marriage would give insurance and health care decisions with their spouse. On Monday, February 22nd through Friday February 26th there will be a set of hearings to discuss the bill. Our idea for this hearing is to strictly promote the passing of this bill and gay marriage rights in general. I will be one of the first to testify at this community hearings on behalf of the bill and in my opinion, when you hear people talking negatively and against gay marriage what they say doesn’t prove anything. They say society will suffer if a man and a man or a woman and a woman get married but their argument doesn’t help prove that at all. I am looking to get Arlington County Board Vice Chairman Jay Fisette (Virginia’s first openly gay elected official) to come because in his words being homosexual is not a choice it's a discovery. So you know the dates, not let your opinion be expressed and help make that further step.

I am Paige Johnson, a student at NKHS and I am working with friends Maggie King, Jessica Brown, and Victoria Reakes-Higgins to further on pursue gay marriage to be allowed. How does two people of the same sex saying “I do” cause this worlds, and society/community to suffer? People against gay rights don’t typically have a good argument so why is it they keep winning the fight? I am writing to you, the state legislature hoping that you can make the difference many people have wanted for a long time after reading my letter. If someone tells a joke about gays being worse than animals because animals aren’t gay and that’s the best argument they have do you laugh? If you do, does it really make you feel better to know you are laughing at someone who could have potentially voted for you, made a big difference, or really have never done anything wrong in their life? How is two people of the same sex so wrong? They pay their taxes, they do right by the law, and they get by just like everyone else and they’re being criticized on who they love? As Arlington County Board Vice Chairman Jay Fisette says, “My sexual orientation is not a choice; it was a discovery. And if it’s not a choice, how can one make a moral judgment about it?” Anyway that anyone goes about in this world they are judged not just for being gay but what I’m talking about is basic rights and what any human being should be allowed to do. Any person gay or straight should be able to say that they love someone same or different sex and that they are going to be married. When someone becomes engaged a light in their eyes spark and they are over-joyed in most cases and shouldn’t everyone get that happiness? Please take that step to equality within everyone. You have heard several arguments for and against this bill and this issue but if you really took the time to list out the pros and cons that could possibly come out of it you would see that there are more pros. Gays can do everything a normal person can no matter what anyone else says except marry but that is not their choice. Take that step and be the person many have wanted for a long time.
 * (3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Persuading Legislators**

(1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Letters to the Editor (2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Op-Ed Articles (3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Earning Media in Feature Articles (4)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Call-in shows/ Guest Shows (5)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> PSAs (6)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Radio Shows (7)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> News Releases / News Conferences (8)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Media Events <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">b) For students working alone there must be one entry per category c) For group with 3 or less members there must be two entries per category d) For groups with 4-5 members there must be three entries per category **6)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Format of the portfolio i)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Title & Date ii)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Credits: Contributors, Class Period, Date iii)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Introduction to the problem__ iv)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Strategies employed__ v)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Outcomes of the project__ vi)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Reflections on the Project__ vii)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __Appendix: Ways of Acting__ b)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> All entries should be typed, double spaced, 1” margins, and Times New Roman c)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> All media productions (audio or video) should be saved on a CD/DVD and should have descriptions entered into the Appendix d)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> All contributors to your project should be credited** e)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> All portfolios should be uploaded to: http://nkdemocracyproject.wikispaces.com **
 * iv)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> __The Media__
 * a)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Please compile the portfolio in a professional manner