George,

I know that we all have our own politics but want to make you all aware of the possibility of electing a state senator (to Emily Couric's seat) who has been openly supportive of gay issues for a number of years!

Most of you probably know that Meredith Richards has been supporting legislation to include sexual minorities in non-discrimination policies at both the local level and through the state municipal league. She spoke several years ago at the Unitarian Church conference on gay issues, giving us some tips on working with politicians. And she attended the OYBR fundraiser last month!

She has now reached out to our community for support in getting the Democratic nomination for the vacant senate seat, asking Kathy Baker and me to contact our friends in the GLBT community for her. In order to be nominated, Meredith will need a large number of supporters at the nominating convention on Saturday, Nov.10. (The special election will be on December 18.)

If you live in the 25th senate district of Virginia and can help with this effort, PLEASE send me your name, phone number, precinct (or address), and email address, which will be entered into Meredith's data bank.

This is how it works. People must come to the Albemarle County Office Building on McIntire Road on Saturday morning, Nov.10. Doors to the 2nd floor auditorium will open at 10 AM. At 11 AM they will close, and only those people registered and in the auditorium by that time will be able to vote for the Democratic candidate.

There are several other people who are seeking the nomination, and success will depend primarily on who gets the most bodies there to vote! The whole process may take until one o'clock or later, but is a real opportunity to influence the political process.

When you arrive at the auditorium, you will be asked to sign the following pledge:

25th Senatorial District Democratic Convention

Name: _________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
City or County of residence: _____________________________________________
Precinct where registered: _____________________________________________
Home phone: _______________________________________
Work phone: _______________________________________
Fax: _______________________________________
E-mail: _______________________________________

I certify that:
1. I am a registered voter in the city or county of ________________;
2. I am a resident of the 25th Senatorial District;
3. I am a Democrat and that I believe in the principles of the Democratic Party;
4. I do not now support, and I do not intend to support, any candidate who is or will be opposed by a Democrat in the special election on December 18, 2001, or in the next general election.

I hope to hear from you and to join with you next weekend, in MAKING IT HAPPEN!
Mary Rodriguez (electronic mail, November 4, 2001)
Momhoo@aol.com