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A full toolkit to simplify your planning
| Introduction | Instructions | Handouts | Sample Press Release | Sample Letter to the Editor | Links |
Dear Fighter for LGBT Equality,
On April 15th, people are gathering at post offices across the country to protest the rights denied to LGBT citizens by the federal government, especially as pertaining to our message: "Equal Taxes. Equal Rights." Sign up today and become the change in your community.
It doesn't matter how long a same-sex couple has been together, come Tax Day they are considered single by the federal government. As single people, they must pretend their finances and their futures are not intertwined and forgo access to the many economic safety nets their tax dollars help fund, such as Social Security survivor benefits, estate tax deferral when inheriting property, and the ability to file taxes jointly. Every year, LGBT people are forced to pay taxes on their partner's health care benefits as if it were additional income. Opposite sex couples are exempt from this unfair taxation. Even in Massachusetts and Connecticut, where same-sex marriages are recognized by the state, they are not recognized by the federal government, and all of the above injustices apply.
This year we invite you to participate in solidarity across the country. We need to mobilize and ensure that all states can enjoy LGBT equality, an initiative that can and will be achieved provided that we come together and organize like never before, time our steps carefully, and deliver our message that love and family come in many forms and deserve equal protection under the law. This is one giant step toward that end.
On April 15th, 2009, at post offices around the country, we will gather and help educate our friends and neighbors about the injustices we face. In this toolkit, you will find all the tools you need to set up an event at your own local post office, including a press release, fliers, pamphlets, and step-by-step instructions on how you can make a difference. We urge you please to sign up and register your city's event, post information, and find further resources which will help make your event a success. Many cities are doing their own unique events, and we encourage you to do the same. In Boston, there will be a reenactment of the historic Boston Tea Party. There will not be boxes of tea being thrown in protest, but rather boxes labeled "1040EZ" and "Equal Taxes Equal Rights".
If you have any questions, or want more information about this event, please contact us at info@jointheimpactma.com. This protest will be as big as we want it to be, with minimum effort required. The more cities that participate, the more powerful and effective our statement will be. If you cannot commit, please ask other friends or organizers who you believe might be interested. Remember, without people like you and I, there would be no movement at all. Keep looking forward and stay positive.
In Solidarity,
Join the Impact MA
www.jointheimpactma.com