"Not-So-Straight Talk Express" heading from Mass. to Ohio

Most Bay Staters lament Massachusetts' relative insignificance in presidential politics, but a pair of local LGBT political power players aren't content to just sit on the sidelines and hope for the best come November. Marc Solomon, executive director of MassEquality, and state Rep. Carl Sciortino have partnered with LGBT activists in Ohio to charter buses full of LGBT volunteers for Barack Obama to the battleground Buckeye State next month.

The buses will roll out of the Bay State on Oct. 17 and return Oct. 21. Those joining the ride can expect two solid days of campaigning for Obama in central Ohio. Solomon said he and Sciortino decided to launch their Not-So-Straight Talk Express to combat the frustration they felt about the 2004 election.

"We're thinking about the fact that four years ago we were in the midst of the marriage fight, and that was all we could take on, and I remember how crummy it was, in spite of all our victories in the legislature, to lose the presidency. ... This time because of the strength in the community that we've built up and the people power, I think we have the opportunity to make a real difference. No community has more at stake than the LGBT community in this election, from 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' to repealing federal DOMA to ENDA and hate crimes, and more than all of those the future of the courts for the rest of our lives," said Solomon, who said he is organizing the Not-So-Straight Talk Express in his private capacity and not in his role as MassEquality's executive director.

Solomon said he and Sciortino reached out to Equality Ohio Executive Director Lynne Bowman, who has agreed to find housing for as many volunteers as Solomon and Sciortino bring with them. He said they're hoping to recruit at least 110 people, who would fill two buses, but they have space for anyone who wants to make the trip.

Solomon said each volunteer is asked to contribute $160 to pay for transportation costs, but there will be a limited number of $50 seats set aside for college students and others who will have difficulty paying the full price.

Once in Ohio the volunteers will receive training from the Obama campaign and head out to pound the pavement for the Democratic presidential nominee. Solomon said volunteers will be trying to reach mainstream voters in Ohio and will probably spend little if any time discussion Obama's positions on LGBT issues.

"We're going to talk to regular voters who are focused not on LGBT issues right now but on the economy and the war and the need for change in the country," said Solomon. "I don't envision talking much about LGBT issues. And we will be trained by the campaign folks in Ohio about what to say. We're going to be on the Obama team."

The Not-So-Straight Talkers will receive a hero's welcome when they arrive in the Buckeye state. Solomon said Equality Ohio will hold an event in their honor, although details of the event are still being worked out. During the rides to and from Ohio the busses will be showing movies to keep people entertained, and Solomon emphasized that he expects the trip to be fun, despite the serious mission.
Solomon said he and Sciortino decided to focus their efforts on Ohio because of its role in 2004 as the most contested battleground state.

"It was the make-or-break state, and we lost Ohio last time. It's the chance to go to the quintessential, most swing state and make a difference," said Solomon.

For more information about the ride or to register visit www.notsostraighttalkexpress.com or call Andi Wheeler at 561.601.6568.