Same-sex couples are currently denied the right to marry, or form civil unions in Pennsylvania.

And LGBT family law makes adoption and surrogacy difficult and costly.

Beyond that, LGBT Pennsylvanians aren't protected from discrimination in hiring or firing processes, or in the pursuit of home ownership, property rental or even getting hotel rooms.

As a whole, gay men earn less than straight men, lesbians less than straight women, and to be queer, and a person of color is to occupy the lowest wrung on the economic ladder.

It's not just about money: safe schools for LGBT kids, assisted living for older queers, domestic violence protection, decent and sensitive healthcare and insurance, police fairness, unfair ID requirements...

...the list of injustices against LGBT people goes on and on.

And now a new one: we're being attacked by a Philadelphia Democrat in the state senate.

A NE Philadelphia Democrat, Senator Mike Stack, voted the "Marriage Protection Amendment" out of Senate Judiciary committee 2 weeks ago. This bill would amend the state's Constitution to define marriage as solely between one man and one woman, and would prohibit civil unions, and potentially more (like Philadelphia's domestic partnership law). A vote of the whole State Senate is expected in the next 2-3 weeks.

Please add your name to the Liberty City petition to Stack here: http://www.libertycity.org/forms/stack

You may remember a few months ago, a similar petition to another Philly Dem, Rep. Bill Keller, helped achieve a reversal of his position on a non-discrimination bill, and we're hoping to strike again.

We're already doing really well on signatures (thanks to Neighborhood Networks for sending it out). And I got cc-ed on this really cool email:

From: Immy & Phil Ferrara
APRIL 02, 2008
STATE SENATOR-58TH WARD LEADER
MICHAEL J. STACK, III
SENATE DISTRICT #5 OFFICE
12361 ACADEMY ROAD
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19154-1927

Dear Senator Stack:

We are truly & deeply saddened and disappointed to learn of your “sole” Democratic Senator “affirmative” vote on the Marriage/Civil Union Senate Bill #1250, effectively restricting & denying the rights of our beloved surrogate gay & lesbian sons & daughters to marriage &/or civil union.

Our GLBT sons & daughters & friends & families (remember that multitudes of families in our area have GLBT members, including Philip Jr., our own son) suffer the last acceptable & legal discrimination each day of their lives, losing employment, housing, credit/finance, religious, police/legal rights, and now maybe even their personal relationship rights.

We would truly & dearly appreciate your granting us, as soon as possible, a meaningful period of time at your local office, as our State Senator & family friend, to discuss our concerns, and attempt to educate & inform you concerning this issue.

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated attention to our request, we remain

Respectfully yours, with Peace & Love,

Immy & Phil Ferrara, Sr.
58TH WARD--29TH DIVISION COMMITTEE WOMAN--IMMY FERRARA
58TH WARD--29TH DIVISION ALTERNATE--PHIL FERRARA, SR.
(“PROUD” parents of Philip, Jr.)
(“PROUD” 58th Ward Executive Committee Members)

Wow.

With all of the issues that Democrats in the Pennsylvania Senate--like say improved gun laws, more school funding, or an amendment to change the tax uniformity clause--it is disturbing that Stack is willing to spend time and resources to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to deny rights.

The proposed amendment could take away existing legal protections for committed long-term couples and their children, as well as limit other types of relationship recognition. It would also prohibit civil unions.

Not to mention that it is an unstrategic bill for a D to support since constitutional amendments go before the voting public, and this one will likely hit in 2010, just in time for the Rs to use as a tool in the Gubernatorial race.

That means progressives statewide--including our local grassroots progressive groups as well as the more traditional organizational pillars of progressivity like organizations of labor folks, enviros, choice groups, immigrant rights advocates, African-American, and others, all need to pile on to this fight.

Some progressives scorn LGBT organizing with its silly "one issue" focus and "siloing," Some even blamed us for losing the 2004 election. (never mind that Kerry was kind of a dud...)

Sure, the LGBT community is no monolith: queer African-Americans, queer Fillipinos, queer Jews, queer WASPS, women, men, transwomen, transmen, other gendered folks, femmes and butches, "str8 acting" and queens, we're all different. Although, unfortunately, within our community, privelleged white men still hold most of the power, just as in society as a whole. But at the end of the day we are all united by our exclusion from heteronormativity in a way that is unique.

That's left some LGBT folks bitter toward a progressive community that doesn't seem to see LGBT struggles as a priority.

Well, here's a chance to start from scratch and focus in on one Democrat on Philadelphia who should know better.

Mike Stack needs to get with the program. Help him do that by signing the petition here:

http://www.libertycity.org/forms/stack