Reach Out Locally - It Works!

Below is an email from Tom Tierney, who has been working tirelessly on the letter writing campaign and getting other organizations on board in support of Equal Immigration Rights for Same-Sex Binational Couples. Do you think you can do something to get your city to support a resolution for the passage of Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)? Can you call your elected officials to see if they would be willing to write a "Dear Colleague" letter to your state's House members or Senators to urge them to sponsor UAFA and to push for its passage? Can you help? If you think you can, please contact Tom directly at tptierney914 [at] yahoo.com for more info.

I wanted to share with everyone some of the results I've had after reaching out to LGBT elected officials in various States.

Many others need to be contacted - Progressive Democrats in all States, and many more City Councils and local officials.

PLEASE everyone - now is the time to turn up the pressure. Go get a City Council resolution! Get your State Assemblymember and State Senator to send a letter to your US House member and US Senate members about this!

I have copy you can use for resolutions and a template letter that can be used for the elected officials to send a letter to your members of Congress.

Even if they're already UAFA co-sponsors - we need to remind them about how important it is.

TAKE ACTION NOW and let your local elected officials know about this!

Many prefer if someone local approaches them about this. If you're reading this we need YOU to take action!

Contact me at tptierney914 [at] yahoo.com for more info.


Recent results:

Arizona

State Representative sent letters to Sen. McCain, Sen. Kyl and Rep. Giffords

State Senator sent letters to Sen. McCain and Sen. Kyl

Arkansas

State Representative sending letters to Sen. Lincoln and Sen. Pryor (waiting for copies)

California

O4I members working on getting more resolutions from various cities - but we need more help!

We need more letters to Senator Feinstein from elected LGBT officials and Democrats.

Colorado

State Senator sent letters to Sen. Udall and Sen. Bennet

Two State Representatives working on sending letters to Sen. Udall and Sen. Bennet (waiting for copies)

O4I member working on getting a supportive resolution from Denver City Council

Connecticut

O4I member working on getting letters from State Reps. and Senators to Sen. Lieberman and Rep. Murphy

Florida

Orlando City Commissioner sent letters to Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Corrine Brown

Mayor of Broward County sent letter to Sen. Bill Nelson

Miami City Council member sent letters to Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (didn't send copies yet)

Requested resolution from Miami City Council - still working on this

North Miami City Council member sent letter to Sen. Bill Nelson (waiting for copy - he's also running for US House)

North Miami Mayor sent letter to Sen. Bill Nelson (waiting for copy - he's also running for US Senate)

St. Petersburg City Council member will speak with Rep. Kathy Castor this weekend about why she's not co-sponsoring UAFA again; interested in resolution

Louisiana

O4I member working on getting a supportive resolution from New Orleans City Council

Members of PFLAG sending letters/e-mails to members of Congress

Maine

State Senator interested in sending letters to Sen. Collins and Sen. Snowe - waiting to hear back

Maryland

Mayor of Salisbury sending letters to Sen. Mikulski and Rep. Kratovil (waiting for copies)

Mayor of Takoma Park sending letters to Sen. Mikulski and Rep. Van Hollen (waiting for copies)

Michigan

Contacted Detroit City Council President about UAFA resolution but have not heard back

Ingham Co. Commissioner interested in doing supportive resolution

Minnesota

Duluth City Council President writing to Senator Klobuchar and will speak about UAFA with her in person in DC at end of March

Minneapolis is considering a resolution

Missouri

St. Louis passed supportive resolution

State Representative sending letters to Sen. McCaskill & Sen. Bond

New Mexico

Santa Fe City Councilmember interested in introducing a resolution

New York

Monroe County Commissioner sending letter to Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand

Troy City Council considering resolution

Binghamton City Council considering resolution

Rochester City Council considering resolution

Ithaca City Council decided against a resolution as the local members of the LGBT Community they asked about this 'weren't familiar with UAFA'

Ohio

Wood County Commissioner considering resolution

O4I member working on getting resolution from Cleveland City Council

Oregon

Portland City Council considering resolution

Mayor of Silverton contacting Rep. Schrader about supporting UAFA

Rhode Island

State Rep. sent letter to Senator Reed

Contacted Mayor of Providence's office about resolution - haven't heard back yet (Mayor is running for Rep. Kennedy's seat)

Virginia

Chair of Arlington County Board will weigh in with Sen. Webb and Sen. Warner when he feels timing is appropriate

Washington

Seattle passed resolution in support of immigration which included support for LGBT families

Wisconsin

I have someone working on trying to get Madison City Council to do a supportive resolution

Three members of the Dane County Board of Supervisors are sending letter to Sen. Kohl this week