Equal Rights Washington is asking supporters to “Talk turkey with your legislators about why marriage matters” over the Thanksgiving Day holiday by e-mailing their legislators a note and by forwarding on the same request to friends and family.  You can read the ERW e-mail below the fold.

It’s a great idea, because most of us have a bit of extra time over the 4-day weekend to kick back with friends and/or family, have relaxed conversations and generally catch up on news or some personal business.

Washington isn’t the only state or jurisdiction gearing up to pass pro-equality laws or to fend off discriminatory actions in 2012.  Here’s a list of the most pressing state-level campaigns that I know of around the country that, like Washington, could benefit from you and your friends talkin’ a little turkey in the days ahead.  Please add details about campaigns I’ve missed– especially local ones — in the comments below, then go talk some turkey!

Add gender identity/expression to state anti-discrimination laws: Maryland & New York

Pass marriage equality laws or initiatives:  Maine, Maryland & Washington

Fight anti-equality constitutional amendments: Minnesota & North Carolina

Fight repeal of existing marriage equality laws: Iowa & New Hampshire

[More below the fold.]

Dear Laurel, Take Action—-Forward to Your Friends and Family>> Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect both on the importance of family, and our nation’s continuing struggle to achieve its founding vision of  “Liberty and Justice for ALL.” Please take a moment to send a letter to your Washington State elected leaders letting them know you support marriage equality. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday we ask that everyone take a few minutes and write their elected leaders about why you personally support marriage equality.  And we ask that you forward this e-mail to your friends and family so that they both know that marriage equality is important to you and so that they too have an opportunity to write their elected officials. Click here to send an e-mail to you State legislators and the Governor. Marriage is about love commitment and mutual concern.  Ending discrimination in the issuance of marriage licenses would be an affirmation of these values and would provide families formed by gay and lesbian couples with both the dignity they deserve and a pathway to legal protections they need. Please take a moment and in personal terms share why marriage matters to you. Gay or straight, old or young, single or couples, secular or a person of faith, we all have stories about why marriage matters and how marriage equality would help people we love. Your elected leaders will not know you support marriage equality unless you tell them, and your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, fellow congregants will likely not contact their legislators unless you ask them. From all of us at Equal Rights Washington we wish you a happy Thanksgiving. P.S.  Please remember to talk about marriage equality at the Thanksgiving dinner table. And please “Like” Washington United for Marriage on Facebook. This is the coalition working to secure marriage equality in Washington State in 2012. Take Action—-Forward to Your Friends and Family>>