This past weekend was "house party weekend": Minnesotans gathered in houses all over the state to raise money and energy for the campaign. We know the ads from the other side are going to start soon, and we're all geared up with our own.
I read this morning on Facebook that over $8 million has been raised to keep "vote no" ads on TV, and I'm delighted and energized by this. Most of it is from Minnesota. Most of it is in small bits, though there are some generous people of means involved, as well.
While I'm glad that the money is being raised, and while I know that we need those "vote no" ads to duke it out with the "vote yes" ones, I'm much more focused on volunteer involvement. Here's my 2-minute stump speech for house parties, given when I'm not too busy being the bingo caller:
I really want to win this thing. I'm old. I've been kicked around a lot after 34 years out as a lesbian, and I'll survive a loss. But my 16-year-old threatens to leave Minnesota if we lose this, saying, "Why should I live in a state that has said clearly it doesn't want my family here?" So there are three things to know about winning this:Which leads to my pitch: The difference between our winning and our losing is you. Are you going to get active, talking to people you know, canvassing, phoning? If you thousands of us do, we can absolutely win this thing! If thousands of us sit back and feel bad about the poll numbers, we won't!
- It is winnable. We can keep this out of our constitution. Minnesota could make history as the first state to do so, after 30 other states have lost their fight.
- If the vote were held today, our side would lose. No poll has yet shown us winning, and the ads from the other side will put a dent in our numbers when they start up.
- The difference between a "yes" vote and a "no" vote is a personal conversation. Poll after poll shows that about 25 percent of folks planning to vote against us change their vote if they have a thoughtful, heart-centered, respectful conversation with someone.
End of party pitch.
So, dear Minnesota readers, thanks for telling me that you like my blog, but if you really want to make my day, tell me that my blog inspired you to get off your butt and do something! We're coming down to it here. It's time to make a weekly commitment to help; put it on your calendar and do it. Phone, canvass, commit to talking to 25 people you know (and take the training about how to do that effectively; the campaign folks have really figured out some stuff!)
Meanwhile, I myself am out in Massachusetts for work this week, where the sky has not fallen and heterosexual marriages still seem to be as strong as ever, after all these years of marriage equality. It's beautiful here, but I can't wait to get back home again and get back to work on this thing.