Get to the ConCon June 14!

If you need a reason to come out June 14 and rally at the State House for the constitutional convention, MassEquality campaign director Marc Solomon has your rallying cry.

"It's now or never. If this is important to you, we'll see you at the State House. Call in sick, take a vacation day, whatever it takes. We need you there on Thursday," said Solomon.

Lawmakers and marriage equality activists have given every indication that a second vote will be held June 14 on an amendment that would take away civil marriage rights from same-sex couples. The amendment passed at a Jan. 2 constitutional convention (ConCon); if just 50 lawmakers vote for it during this legislative session, it will be put before voters on a statewide ballot in November, 2008.

Although there is a chance that the vote could be postponed on June 14 if the votes aren't there to defeat it, activists say that it's critical that marriage equality supporters turn out in large numbers to persuade lawmakers to put the vote off if the numbers aren't there to win. MassEquality, the lead organization fighting to preserve marriage equality in Massachusetts sent out an email alert June 6 urging supporters of civil marriage rights to show up at the State House June 14. "It is incredibly important that we have a strong showing that day to remind legislators as they arrive to cast a final vote that it would be wrong to put this amendment on the ballot - and that the people of Massachusetts strongly support marriage equality." The Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus sent out an alert that same day urging recipients to contact their lawmakers in advance of the vote. "Our opponents are exerting enormous pressure on legislators to make this the final Con-Con and to "Let the People Vote!," the email read. "You've responded to our appeals before. We're asking again because we literally need every LGBT and allied voice to speak as one to their legislators - "It's wrong to vote on people's rights!"

Toward that end, here's your guide to surviving a day at the ConCon.

Get there early
If you want to actually watch the proceedings inside the House chamber, make sure you set your alarm early. The gallery has room for a couple hundred observers, and tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis outside the entrance to the gallery on the fourth floor. The doors to the State House open at 8 a.m., but at past ConCons people from both sides camped out in front of the State House doors several hours earlier.

Once inside the State House, prepare to wait in line on the fourth floor for several hours before you get your ticket. It is advisable to bring a friend or loved one to join you in line so that you can save each other's spots for bathroom breaks. Otherwise you'll be at the mercy of your fellow line-mates, many of whom will be marriage amendment supporters, to decide whether to let you back in line.

I saw the sign
One of the most familiar features of the past ConCons has been the dueling sign wars in front of the State House. Starting early in the day each side camps out on a different side of Beacon Street, brandishing their signs at drivers and passers-by and cheering and singing. While MassEquality will likely have its own signs on hand for you to use, many attendees make their own signs, and in past years the patchwork quilt effect of the colorful homemade signs on the MassEquality side has made a stronger visual impact than the often monolithic sea of prefab signs on the VoteOnMarriage.org side.

Two words to the wise for people planning on bringing signs to the ConCon. One is to bring sunscreen and beverages to keep from getting dehydrated, as much of the area on both sides of the street is out in direct sun. The other is that if you plan on going into the State House, you'll have to leave your signs outside. Wendy Fox, a spokesperson for the state park rangers, which provide security for the building, said any sign with a handle will not be allowed in the building. In past ConCons some attendees have managed to bring small paper signs and flags into the State House, but Fox said it will be up to the park rangers on duty to determine on a case-by-case basis whether signs or flags are allowed inside.

TV or not TV?
For those who don't make it into the gallery, it's unclear whether there will be any other options for watching the proceedings at the State House. At some, but not all, past ConCons, attendees watched the proceedings on live video feeds shown in either the State House's Great Hall or Gardner Auditorium. David Guarino, a spokesperson for House Speaker Sal DiMasi, said the speaker and Senate President Therese Murray have not yet decided whether to show a video feed of the June 14 ConCon.

Those people with Internet connections can watch streaming video of the proceedings on the House website (housetv.hou.state.ma.us). Guarino said the House is increasing the bandwidth of the site to make sure that the increase in traffic will not slow down the video.

Getting there
While the ConCon starts at 1 p.m., many people get there much earlier in the day, either to wait for a seat in the House gallery or to hold signs outside. If you're planning on spending the whole day at the ConCon, your best and cheapest bet is to take public transportation. For State House newbies, the closest stop is Park Street on the Red Line.
If you're driving, the best place to park is the Boston Common garage, but it's not cheap. A nine- to 12-hour stay in the garage will set you back $19, but at least you won't have to run out to feed the meter and jockey for the almost non-existent street parking spots.

If you're feeling particularly brave, and a little bit mischievous, you can try to hitch a ride on the VoteOnMarriage.org buses transporting people to the State House. The buses leave from locations around the state, and a schedule of locations with contact information can be found by visiting www.voteonmarriage.org/busesjune14.shtml. Of course, you will have to pretend to be one of the opponents of same-sex marriage, and you will have to hide your sign, but a free ride is a free ride.