We Won! And You Helped!
	During the month of January, UU Congregations all over the state of Pennsylvania collected 1,500 valentines to their senators and representatives in support of Sen. Daylin Leach’s bill, SB935 for marriage equality. The valentines were all delivered during Freedom to Marry Week in Harrisburg between February 8th and February 16th. On February 8th, Sen. John Eichelberger introduced SB707, which would add a constitutional amendment to define marriage to one man/one woman. Last week we heard that the bill was coming up for a vote today (March 16, 2010) in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Key senators on that committee were Boscola, Browne, and Stack – senators to whom we had sent valentines. We asked the members of those congregations to contact their senators and ask them to vote no on SB707.   Today that bill was tabled in a bipartisan 8-6 vote! Sen. Leach moved to table the bill. Senators Mary Jo White and Lisa Boscola voted with us for the first time ever and joined Daylin Leach, Michael Stack, Wayne Fontana, Jay Costa, Jane Earll, and Pat Browne in voting for the motion to table. The best part was that we packed the room with UU’s from the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg and the UU Congregation of York. For the first time ever, in the five years that I’ve been attending hearings and votes on marriage amendments in the PA General Assembly, the supporters of marriage equality outnumbered the opposition at one of these hearings.
	When the Recorder announced the ‘motion to table’ passed, we all cheered! And here’s even better news – we sent valentines to every one of these Senators except White. I firmly believe that our work in February was important to this victory today. As part of the Value All Families Coalition, we’re being asked to thank all the Senators who voted to table the bill. If you are in one of these congregations, please make sure you thank your senator as soon as possible:
	Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley (Boscola, Browne) Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills (Costa, Fontana) Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsburgh (Costa, Fontana) Main Line Unitarian Church (Leach) Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville (Costa, Earll) First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia (Leach, Stack)
	Sen. Daylin Leach was grateful for the work of UUPLAN. "Thanks so much to all of the selfless supporters and volunteers from the UU Community who stand with me in the fight to put an end to bigotry and discrimination in Pennsylvania. I am so grateful for all of your time, dedication and for making me feel the love on Valentine's Day! But I especially appreciate your presence yesterday to witness the historic vote in the Judiciary Committee. This was big and I couldn't have done it without you!"
	Andy Hoover, from the Value All Families Coalition, said this about our work: “UUs play an absolutely critical role in our efforts for LGBT equality, for two main reasons. One, UUs bring people of faith to the table. Two, you are extremely well organized. We can always count on UUs to organize your own events, show up for others' events, and work your legislators." Thanks for everything you do!
	Standing with you on the Side of Love, Alanna Berger GLBT Issues Coordinator UUPLAN

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UUs Demand Justice in Harrisburg

Action Alert! Visit Current Issues to learn how you can
love your mother this Earth Day!

Hundreds of Pennsylvanians gathered on March 17, 2009, at the state capitol to demand passage of a bill that would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, and accommodations. UUPLAN was one of several members of the Value All Families Coalition that joined in the capitol rotunda rally. Approximately three dozen UUs from six congregations attended (Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Devon, York, Lehigh Valley, Cumberland Valley).

Love Your Mother
Just in time for Earth Day 2010, we are asking UUPLAN advocates to take a stand for our beautiful Keystone State. Leading up to Earth Day, we are asking you to advocate for the Clean Energy and Jobs Bill, which reduces Pennsylvania’s reliance on coal and oil. Did you know Pennsylvania produces more heat-trapping gases than 47 states? Only California and Texas produce more. Go to Current Issues to learn how you can send your Mother Earth some love this spring.

What Price Integrity?
UUPLAN will take on a new issue in 2010 and it’s a big one—integrity in our state government. Over two-thirds of the states in our nation restrict the amount of money that organizations can give to political candidates. The goal is to reduce the power of special interests in swaying legislative decisions. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of these states.

In Pennsylvania, we need to break the bond between affluent special interest groups (and individuals) and powerful elected officials who control the governing process, and thus public policy. We need to bring the system by which Pennsylvania's elections are funded into the 21st century.  Go to Current Issues to learn how UUPLAN wants to change this shameful situation.

Stand on the Side of Love
February was a UUPLANtastic month! We collected more than 1,500 Valentines and delivered them to 37 state senators and 107 state representatives. In the words of Alanna Berger, our GLBT issues coordinator: “WOW!” Read more at Current Issues.

Why another UU organization?
The voice of a single church can be very strong, but the building of a network around the state enables us to strengthen the voice of our individual churches and expand our reach; build ongoing relationships with legislative leaders; and develop political skills needed to enact the changes we are seeking. But even more importantly, the networks give visibility to Unitarian Universalists. Through the small acts of many we have the opportunity to become a respected voice in our state houses for the oppressed, the needy and the poor. Please e-mail info@uuplan.org to join our e-mail action list.