Lesbian PAC to support Markey in special election for Massachusetts Senate

April 25, 2013—LPAC, the first of its kind political action committee, today announced its first race of the year: LPAC will back U.S. Rep. Ed Markey in the special election to fill the Senate seat left by Secretary of State John Kerry. Markey’s primary opponent is U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, whose anti-women, anti-gay animus is thoroughly documented.

Rep. Markey is a longtime advocate for women’s rights and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. “Rep. Markey strongly backed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act,” said Sarah Schmidt, LPAC Chair. “He is pro-choice, opposed attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, and stands up for LPAC’s values.”

LPAC values-based committee sets out to positively influence policies that impact women by electing candidates who champion issues that impact lesbians and their families.

Last year, LPAC raised over $750,000 for 2012 candidates and ballot initiatives, including U.S Senator Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin.

LPAC values-based committee sets out to positively influence policies that impact women by electing candidates who champion issues that impact lesbians and their families. Further announcements about LPAC’s 2013 race will be made in the coming weeks.

After decades of being a small subset of players in women’s rights and LGBT rights political efforts, in 2012 the women of LPAC stood up to get organized like never before, giving lesbians a real and meaningful seat at the table. With significant players in politics, entertainment, and sports joining thousands of everyday lesbians, women, and allies fighting for LPAC’s values.

LPAC is a political action committee dedicated to one goal: influencing elections by giving lesbians a meaningful seat at the political table. www.teamlpac.com
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It’s a great chance for women who care about LPAC’s values–both in and out of the tech world–to meet and mingle. We’ll be there, along with other LPAC board members and supporters. We really look forward to connecting with you in person and hearing your thoughts on LPAC. We’ll also be joined by our friends Therese Lee (from Google) and Leanne Pittsford (from Start Somewhere), Lesbians Who Tech co-founders.

Join us at Lost Society on Thursday, May 9, from 6-8:30pm. Stop by after work, say hi, and network with amazing women who are committed to giving lesbians a seat at the table in politics AND getting more women and lesbians involved in technology. Awesome. Get tickets and more details here.

Can’t wait to see you there!
-Karen Dixon & Donna Victoria
Board Members, LPAC

PS: The event is free, but we’d love it if you could pitch in $5 or more today to help LPAC continue our work on LGBT equality, women’s reproductive health, and social & economic justice.

Edie’s case is hugely important, because it could result in the federal government recognizing all legal marriages–including marriages of gay and lesbian couples, in places like New Hampshire, Iowa, New York…anywhere marriage equality is legal. While we won’t know what the decision is until June, we’re cheering Edie on.

Edie met her wife Thea Spyer after moving to New York City. How did they meet? Edie explained to the New York Times that she asked a friend: “If you know where the lesbians are, please take me.” Her friend took her to Greenwhich Village, where she met Thea. Both of their lives changed forever. They fell in love.

Edie and Thea created a life together.

In 1967, on a trip to the countryside, Thea proposed to Edie.  Edie said yes! Thea gave Edie a gorgeous broach, fearing that a wedding ring would cause too much unwanted attention from coworkers she wasn’t out to. Like most couples, they planned on an engagement. What they didn’t plan was how long their engagement would be. Forty years!! For forty years, Edie and Thea took care of each other, shared a home, and were a family. They went through many ups and downs, including Thea’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, and all the complications and hardships the health condition brought to their lives.

Finally, in 2007, the couple treked to Canada for their legal wedding ceremony. One year later, the State of New York began recognizing out-of-state legal marriages for same-sex couples. Edie and Thea’s marriage was finally a reality in their home, but still not recognized by the federal government. When Thea passed away after her decades-long battle with MS, Edie was saddled with immense hardships that wouldn’t have been the case if she were heterosexual and married. Why? Because of DOMA, the anti-gay “Defense of Marriage Act,” the federal government didn’t recognize their marriage.

Soon after, Edie was in touch with Roberta Kalpan, an accomplished attorney and partner at Paul Weiss. Roberta knew Edie had a case. They’ve now made their way all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court! Because of Edie and Roberta’s perserverence, life for all gay and lesbian couples could change forever. The Court is expected to issue a decision in June.

We’re cheering on Edie and Roberta. They’re two women who inspire us here at LPAC. And in the meantime, we are doing what we can to also change life for lesbians, all women, and our allies. We’re working toward a world where we have a true seat at the table in politics and policy matters. A world where lesbian values are at the forefront. A world that supports a win for Edie Windsor! You can support LPAC’s critical work here.

Let’s do this!

-Sarah Schmidt

Chair, LPAC

Today: The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case Hollingsworth v. Perry, which challenges California’s Proposition 8, the ballot initiative eliminating the right to marry in California. What’s on the line? The freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples. What’s the status? The American Foundation for Equal Rights brought together a great team of lawyers, Ted Olson and David Boies, who today did a tremendous job arguing that all couples should have the freeom to marry. The Court is expected to issue a decision in June.

Tomorrow: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear U.S. v. Windsor, the case of Edie Windsor, which challenges DOMA, the anti-gay “Defense of Marriage Act.” What’s on the line? Federal recognition of legal marriages between same-sex couples. What’s the status? You can watch coverge on C-SPAN online all day, with an audio feed of the argument slated to post by 2pm. We’ll be tuning in!

Get involved: Join LPAC online (Facebook & Twitter) as we follow these critical Supreme Court cases!

Onward toward DOMA tomorrow!
-Sarah Schmidt
Chair, LPAC

PS: Excited about the momentum building for marriage equality? Help LPAC continue the momentum. Pitch in $5 or more today to help LPAC continue our work on LGBT equality, women’s reproductive health, and social & economic justice.

What does this mean? I want to introduce you to Edie Windsor and Thea Spyer. Edie and Thea were together for over 40 years. Edie and Thea were legally married, recognized in their home state of New York. But when Thea passed away after decades of battling MS, Edie was left without many of benefits that heterosexual couples take for granted. Why? DOMA, the anti-gay, so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.”

Edie’s case against DOMA will be heard by the court this week. Edie has the chance to change marriage for gay and lesbian couples forever.

Like never before, this week proves just how much the Supreme Court matters. The President nominates Supreme Court Justices, and the Senate confirms them. I’m so proud that LPAC was able to help re-elect President Obama last year. The President has appointed the most diverse Supreme Court Justices in history, including Elena Kagen and Sonia Sotomayor. With your help, LPAC will continue to help elect strong pro-women, pro-lesbian candidates and help influence big decisions of monumental importance to our community.

Edie’s case, along with the Prop 8 case also being heard by the Court this week, is an amazing opportunity for lesbians, our families, and our allies to win equality in a way we never have before. Thank you for supporting LPAC’s work. Thank you for helping us influence big decisions.
Arguments begin tomorrow!
-Sarah Schmidt
Chair, LPAC
PS: We’ll be keeping you updated on the latest news out of the Supreme Court, so connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.  And keep an eye out for email updates from me!

This is an important victory for women and our allies all across the country, and also an important victory for LPAC! Just one of many, we hope, victories in 2013. With your help, this past year LPAC generously supported the successful campaigns of U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Elizabeth Warren, and U.S. Representatives Donna Edwards and Kyrsten Sinema, all strong supporters of VAWA. Additionally, LPAC contributed to Priorities USA, which helped elect President Obama. Who we elect matters, and LPAC is in the business of helping elect pro-women, pro-lesbian candidates, like those who stood up for all women and helped pass VAWA. And with your support, we will continue to influence key races, helping elect candidates who share LPAC’s values.

This year will bring many important races across the country on the city, state, and federal levels. As we’ve seen today with the congressional passage of a VAWA that reflects LPAC’s values, we can make a difference. Make an investment in LPAC’s pro-women, pro-lesbian values today. Donate here.

Thanks for your support,
Sarah
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Sarah Schmidt
Chair, LPAC

Yes, women continue to make progress. Yes, with your support, LPAC helped elect a full slate of pro-lesbian, pro-women candidates in November. But when we see comments like this we know there is so much more work left to do. When you make a contribution to LPAC, you make a contribution to directly elect candidates committed to fighting for us in our hometowns, in state legislatures, and in Congress. I need you to step up and help us fight back against sexist rhetoric like this. Click here to support our critical work today. Donate $15–roughly the cost of one apple pie–or more if you can afford it.

Not convinced that we need your support? That same Member of Congress also spouted “Like most men, I’m more opposed to violence against women than even violence against men.” Why? “Because most men can handle it a little better than a lot of women can.” Know what we can’t handle? Our elected officials not respecting protections for women. Members of Congress not taking violence against women seriously. If you can’t handle that either, give $15 or more here: teamlpac.com/pie

We can fight this together,
Sarah

Sarah Schmidt
Chair, LPAC

Here’s the deal: the House is set to vote on VAWA. An important piece to note is that this re-authorization includes protections for Native American women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as well. This is a hugely important moment for women and LGBT people across the country. We all deserve protections against violence. Who would vote against that? So far, 22 male Republican Senators. We must send a message to the House. We must make our voices heard. We won’t stand for this! 

We need your help to keep the pressure on to make sure an inclusive VAWA passes, and all women and LGBT people are protected. Click here to make your voice heard, it only takes a minute and could make a world of difference in the lives of countless women.
Onward!
-Sarah
Sarah Schmidt
Chair, LPAC

What’s important to you? What role would you like to play in LPAC’s work? I’m looking forward to getting your input, and input from our thousands of supporters across the country. After all, LPAC isn’t just any Super PAC. LPAC is a unique, grassroots
effort. You, me, and everyone else who believes in our work, we are all LPAC.

Give us your feedback in this 3-minute survey right here.

Thanks for your help!
-Sarah
Sarah Schmidt
Chair, LPAC

PS: Did you check out our stakeholder report? Click here to read it!

I am proud to report that in its inaugural campaign cycle LPAC was victorious — success we would have not have achieved without your generosity! From LPAC’s support of President Obama and the pro-woman, pro-LGBT Senate majority, to our support for marriage equality in Maine & Washington and reproductive rights in Florida, to the election of pro-LPAC candidates across the country, including the first out lesbian United States Senator Tammy Baldwin, 2012 spelled victory for LPAC.

Please find our first stakeholder report here, which outlines LPAC’s electoral victories, funds raised, and plans for 2013. We are excited about the investment our grassroots, lesbian-powered team has made this past cycle and we can’t wait to continue our work with you.

Thank you for your continued support, go Team LPAC!

-Sarah Schmidt
Chair, LPAC

PS: Have you joined our campaign on Facebook yet? www.facebook.com/teamlpac