Insiders say it stands a good chance of passing in the Senate with bipartisan support. If it’s released from Committee.

That’s the big question. Senator James Vaughn, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, opposes the bill and has said he won’t hold hearings on it. Senate President Pro Tem Thurman Adams opposes the bill too. However, Adams last year promised that HB99 would get a vote.

Is there any way out of this stalemate? Yes. But it won’t happen unless we ratchet up the pressure on those lawmakers holding back the bill.

Now is the time for every gay man and lesbian living in Delaware, everyone reading this magazine, and everyone who believes discrimination has no place in our society to stand up, speak out, and demand a vote on HB99. If you’ve gone to bat for HB99 in the past, thank you. Can we count on you again? If you haven’t, well, here’s your opportunity. Now more than ever we need everyone to step up to the plate and demand a vote on HB99.

Five years of work by dedicated individuals and organizations across the State is culminating this Spring in a concerted, bipartisan effort to pass HB99. "Release HB99" is the call, and thirteen organizations—ACLU of Delaware, AIDS Delaware, CAMP Rehoboth, Civil Liberties Union at the University of Delaware, Delaware Human Relations Committee, Delaware Liberty Fund, Delaware Pride, Delaware Stonewall Democrats, HAVEN University of Delaware’s LGBT group, National Association of Social Workers, NCCJ, PFLAG-Wilmington, Rainbow Chorale Delaware, and the Human Rights Campaign —have come together with supportive legislators, politicos, and activists to craft a cohesive strategy to pressure lawmakers during legislative sessions in May and June. It’s the first time ever these groups have come together around a common agenda.

A "Release HB99" rally, including a press conference, was held at Legislative Hall in Dover on May 4. Individual and group lobbying efforts are being stepped up. And, in addition, a full-page advertisement calling on Senator Adams to bring HB99 out of committee will run in The News Journal on Sunday, May 9.

So what can you do to demand a vote on HB99?

1. Go online and sign the "Release HB99 Petition" which will be presented to Senator Thurman Adams, President pro tempore on June 25. Our hope is to have 3,000 signatures by then. Ask your friends to sign too, especially those who live in Senator Adams’ district (Milton, Georgetown, Bridgeville, Ellendale, Greenwood, and Seaford). Here’s the site: www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/612258213. For more information, go to www.delawarelibertyfund.org

2. Encourage your spiritual leader, elected and appointed officials, and civic/nonprofit leaders to sign on in support of HB99. These statements of support will be used to lobby legislators. Go to www.towardequality.org to download the forms and get more information.

3. Write a letter. We’ve heard time and time again from our friends in the legislature that letter writing matters. Letters give a sense of public opinion on issues. You can bet that our opponents are doing this too. Write a letter to your legislator or to the editor of your newspaper outlining why it is important to you and every citizen of Delaware that HB99 be signed into law. If you need some assistance, visit www.delawarestonewall.com for some sample letters. You can find your legislators’ addresses at www.delaware.gov.

Send your letter to one or more Delaware newspapers.

• News Journal: letters@delawareonline.com
• Dover Post: doverpost@doverpost.com
• Cape Gazette: newsroom@capegazette.com
• Community Publications: editor@communitypub.com
• Coast Press: dcp@smgpo.gannett.com
• Delaware State News: dsnnews@newszap.com
• Newark Post: newpost@dca.net

Keeping HB99 from a floor vote is unconscionable in a democratic society. HB99 is about equal protection and fighting discrimination. It’s worth fighting for.