Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 00:05:14 -0700 From: Eros Publishing Subject: Press Release Two brief news updates from Alaska: 1) IT'S ** BALLOT MEASURE 2 ** We've finally heard from the Division of Elections, and SJR-42 (the bill that would define marriage as only one man and one woman, and would prohibit same-sex marriage) now has a ballot number for the election: it's BALLOT MEASURE 2 so our chant between now and November is " No on 2 ! " Ballot Measure 2 would amend the "Declaration of Rights" (i.e. Bill of Rights) section of the Alaska Constitution, and would be the first time in history that discrimination against a specific group of people would be written into the constitution itself. For example, all other marriage restrictions (like no incest, polygamy, etc) are done by *statutes* that meet the Constitutional test of equal protection. Measure 2's intent to avoid statutory standards and instead change the rules of the game (the Constitution itself) is unprecedented. Additionally, Measure 2 would amend and interfere with Alaska's "Right to Privacy" provision -- since it was the right to privacy that the earlier lower court case supporting our right to marry hinged on. Here's the wording of the Alaska Ballot Measure 2: "CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT LIMITING MARRIAGE This measure would amend the Declaration of Rights section of the Alaska Constitution to limit marriage. The amendment would say that to be valid, a marriage may exist only between one man and one woman. It would also say that no provision of the Alaska Constitution may be interpreted by a court to recognize or permit marriage between individuals of the same sex. SHOULD THIS AMENDMENT BE ADOPTED?" 2) CAMPAIGN UPDATE: We expect to have the campaign steering committee and a campaign manager announced soon -- the campaign is taking good shape and you'll be hearing more from us as the summer moves ahead. But for now: we need generous donations get us on our way. There is no limit to what an individual or group can give to an Alaskan "issue" ballot measure like this, so please be as generous as you can, now and throughout the campaign. Get your friends and relatives to match your gift -- in-state or out-of-state donations are all great! Make donations to our PAC: Alaskans for Civil Rights PO Box 240751 Anchorage, AK 99524-0751. p.s. If you'd like info on how to donate by credit card, e-mail me your mailing address and I'll send you a credit card donation form. Thanks so much! Sara Boesser Juneau, Alaska The Legal Marriage Alliance of Washington 1122 E. Pike St., Suite 1190, Seattle, WA 98122-3934 (206) 689-6280 e-mail: jwilk@eskimo.com Web site: www.buddybuddy.com/lma.html 7/7/98 http://www.wolfenet.com/~aubrey/aubrey.htm