I applaud the work of the Patrick administration and the State Legislature for passing the historic Anti-Bullying bill in 2010. I am committed to working with BPS, the City of Boston and the state in conjunction with non profits like GLSEN, MassEquality, The Gay Straight Alliance, and BAGLEY to put an end to bullying in our schools. In particular, I want to commend the Roslindale School for their pro-active approach to tackling this problem with their defender program that lifts up children who stand up to bullies.

2. HIV/ AIDS Awareness and Prevention:

The LGBT community and communities of color have a shared interest in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS. I am committed to working with organizations like AIDS ACTION, South End Community Health Center, and Fenway Community Health Center, among others to remove barriers to treatment and increase awareness of this serious problem. Furthermore, I will advocate for the restoration of lost funding on the state level for HIV/AIDS programs. Equally as important, I believe we need to invigorate comprehensive sex education in Boston’s schools. Our young people need to be armed with the knowledge necessary to protect themselves.

3. Transgender Equal Rights:

I am immensely proud of the Patrick Administration’s Executive Order that protects Transgendered State Employees from discrimination. As a City Councillor, I will work with my colleagues on the Council and our counterparts in the State House to protect Transgendered people from discrimination by passing the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. This piece of legislation should be law. In the wake of the death of a transgendered woman who was beaten to death in Chelsea, it is about more than just providing equal rights, it is about shielding them from violence.

4. Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence is a serious problem no matter the community. Whether it is Rosie’s Place or the Gay Mens Domestic Violence Project, I am committed to working with all groups to protect those who are victims from further harm while reducing the instances of domestic violence in all communities.

Recent statistics show that 26% of crime in Police District B2 was domestic violence related. Domestic Violence is a serious problem in any community and the LGBT population is no different. I will always be an advocate for those in need of aid and protection in my community; my door will always be open.

5. Marriage Equality:

With more than 16,000 same sex married couples in Massachusetts, I wholeheartedly support, and will fight to defend, lawfully married couples against any move public or private, to take away their hard fought rights.

There are many ways to help the campaign. To get involved over the next two weeks, call (617) 708-1809. Below are the ways you can help out!

- On Election Day, we need poll checkers, door-knockers, phone bankers, sign holders and precinct captains. We’ll also need people with cars to drive voters to the polls.

- The Get Out The Vote weekend, March 11th to March 13th, will be busy as supporters will be out across the district canvassing and at our phone banks making phone calls. We need more volunteers to make this happen!

- Phone banking happens throughout the week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm at 256 Freeport Street in Dorchester. Also, there is a phone bank from 12pm to 5pm on Saturdays. Come and help! And don’t worry, there’s plenty of parking!

Tito is going to be extremely busy for the next 13 days! Here are some of the scheduled events:

- Tito on WBUR’s “Radio Boston”, Thursday, March 3, 3-4pm

- Forum at the Dearborn School in Roxbury, Thursday, March 3, 6:30-8pm

- South End Neighborhood Association Debate, Thursday, March 9, 6-7pm at South End Library on Tremont Street

- Radio appearance on WGBH’s “Callie Crossley Show,” Tuesday, March 8, 1-2PM

- RoxVote Forum at Hibernian Hall, Roxbury, 184 Dudley Street, 6:30-8:30PM

District 7 needs a leader who will help it have a voice in City Hall and make sure all of the neighborhoods have an opportunity to thrive. Tito Jackson is that guy, but he can’t do it without you! Get informed and get involved! And tell your friends also!

Cynthia Loesch (Boston Alliance for Community Health, BACH), Rev. Bill Loesch (Codman Square Neighborhood Council), David Aronstein (BACH), Shaquille Jones (BOLD Teens), Tito, De'Lea O'Garro, and Teiyarah Cinelli (BOLD Teens

One of the planks of Tito’s 5-point plan for the community is partnerships that include you. By building lasting partnerships between residents, local businesses, and government, we will increase community awareness and communication.

An important partner that shouldn’t be overlooked are the non-profits working to better our community. Tito is aware of these groups hard work and positive role they play in our community.

Earlier this week, Tito met with representatives from the Boston Alliance for Community Health, Codman Square Neighborhood Council, and Bold Teens.

The conversation focused on the groups’ efforts to increase tobacco-free spaces, increase the demand and supply of cessation services, and reducing the demand for tobacco products.

One of the participants, Shaquille, a member of Bold Teens, spoke about the ease at which teenagers could purchase cigarettes. Cynthia Loesch, Tobacco Manager, for the Boston Alliance for Community Health, described the variety of community efforts made to reduce tobacco use, in no small part due to the issue of second hand smoke, and increase access to cessation programs for those trying to quit.

The meeting was extremely productive and Tito looks forward to working with groups like the BACH, Bold Teens, and CSNC to bring about positive change in the community.

For more information on quitting smoking and available cessation programs, please call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

For information on creating a smoke-free environment for children, call 1-800-879-8678 or visit www.makesmokinghistory.org.

Polls are opened from 7am to 8pm.

For rides to the polls, call (617) 708-1868.

To find your polling location, go to http://www.cityofboston.gov/elections/voter/

For questions about Tito or the campaign, call (617) 708-1809.

The Election Night Party is at Slade’s Bar & Grill, located at 958 Tremont Street in the South End.  We start at 8:00 tonight.  There is a DJ.  Get ready.

In case you’re just tuning in now, here are the “Top Ten Tito”, the ten best reasons to vote to make Tito Jackson the next City Councillor for District 7.

10. You’re a fan of Tito’s 5-Point Plan.  For more information, click on “Issues”

9. You want Tito to help you be part of the decision-making process

8. More options for housing we call can afford sound good to you!

7. You want to help Tito help you keep our neighborhoods safe

6. You believe in improving our schools and developing an atmosphere of lifetime learning

5. You know that economic revitalization is the name of the game

4. Jobs, Jobs, JOBS – Tito brought 2,500 jobs to Massachusetts and now he’s going to do that for the district he grew up in!

3. You want someone with honesty and integrity speaking for you in City Hall

2. Let’s get that Ferdinand Building up and running again!

1. The communities need someone who sees hope and opportunity all over the district, can inspire it in others, and follow through on decided goals.  Tito will make it happen!

Today, District 7 will make an important decision on its future.  Vote for Tito Jackson, the 4^th candidate on the ballot, to inspire our youth, build better schools, bring jobs for our friends, and make our streets safer!

If you need to find your local polling locaton, go here: http://www.cityofboston.gov/elections/voter/

Do you need a ride to the polls?  If so, please call (617) 708-1809.

See you there!

Today’s reason to vote for Tito is his belief in the potential of District 7.  As a lifelong resident of Grove Hall, he is deeply connected to the neighborhoods that make up District 7.

Tito’s 5-Point Plan for District 7 is the right plan for the community because it is a vision based on hope and opportunity. Where there are currently problems, he sees the potential of a revitalized community. A District 7 that is a cultural and economic destination. A District 7 that is home to world-class schools. And a District 7 filled with safe streets and parks.

District 7 needs a Councillor who not only understands the challenges facing the community, but someone who knows how to bring about change.  Tito is that guy!

Tomorrow, Vote Tito!