Who is Karen Minnis, you ask?
She’s the Speaker of the House in Oregon. And she’s the main barrier standing in the way of Civil Unions for lesbians and gays in Oregon.
Basic Rights Oregon believes that they have the votes needed to pass a Civil Union bill in Oregon – but that can only happen if Karen Minnis allows SB1000, the Oregon Civil Union Bill, to be voted on. As the BRO Blog says:
Call Speaker Minnis now at 503-986-1200 and tell her:
- The people of Oregon ought to know where their representatives stand on SB 1000.
- Bring SB 1000 to an up or down vote on the House floor immediately.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an Oregonian or not – give Karen a call, and ask her (politely is more effective) to let the House vote on SB1000. And if you’re an Oregonian, BRO has some additional suggestions for you.
And if you’re a blogger, please consider linking to this post, or BRO’s post, ASAP.
I don’t do a lot of posts like this, because I want to save them for times when I really think calls can make a difference. Today is probably the essential day, and calling takes thirty seconds. Civil Unions aren’t the ultimate goal, but they can mean a hell of a lot – they can mean insurance, and hospital visitation, just for a start. Please call Karen today.
Matt and I both called and we also let others know to call. Thanks for the heads up.
Does she have an (public) e-mail address? I’m an Oregonian, and I’d like to send a message, but I’m a lot more articulate with the written word.
Sure! Her email address is rep.karenminnis@state.or.us .
Does it matter whether we make a phone call or send an email? An email would be easier for me, but I’m afraid that email will have less of an impact. Any thoughts on this?
I’ve been told that phone calls are paid more attention to, although I’m sure an email is better than nothing.
I called her, as well as my senator Kate Brown and representative Diane Rosenbaum. Left messages, that is.
Here’s the press release:
Done. Everyone may now congratulate me for my tactful avoidance of the phrases “shame on you,” “you asshole” and “eat me, Bigot.”
[bows] Thank You.
Amen, folks. I called and emailed! This is out of hand! If it doesn’t get passed by 3pm on Monday, it falls into exile for 2 years!!!
I already failed that particular litmus test today on the other thread dealing with this by going off on Mr. “Sperm&Egg” Howard, as he sanctimoniously came in to share his opinion on the travesty acted out on and against the people of Oregon yesterday.
I just got this email from Rep. Shauffler’s assistant:
Kim wrote:
Yeah, but you’re as American as baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Ch*vr*l*t, Kim. So you have a little more lattitude than noncomformists like me.
I kept hoping that Howard’s little episode(s) was/were just someone’s really sick idea of a joke. I guess I was wrong. :/
It’s time to take on Karen in a big way. Make her life miserable and picket her home and harass her family-This [censored] needs to know the full power of the gay community-
Consider joining together with those of us over at DFO Action in our efforts to defeat her in 2006.
Even thought she outspent Rob Brading 7 to 1, she was only able to beat him by less than 7%. That’s after winning an election 2 years prior by more than 20%.
We’ve got to band together to help defeat this woman, as well as win a handful of other seats so we’ll have control of the House.